vCOLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina hit a low point the last time the Gamecocks faced a Southern Conference team. Now theyre for a different outcome against a SoCon opponent with much more on the line.The Gamecocks (5-5) hope to qualify for a bowl game when they take on Football Championship Subdivision opponent Western Carolina (2-8) on Saturday. In 2015, though, they were just looking for a late-season pick-me-up in a sorry season when they got stung by Citadel, 23-22, at home , the final indignity of a 3-9 campaign during which coach Steve Spurrier walk away in mid-season.I think that was the low point, South Carolina running back David Williams said of the Citadel defeat. I think everybody was thinking about the week after (against rival Clemson) and overlooked the Citadel.No chance of that happening this time with whats at stake.The Gamecocks can double up on last years win total and get another few weeks of practice for a young team that features freshman starters at quarterback, running back and receiver in coach Will Muschamps first season.Muschamp wont bring up last years Citadel flop. He will go heavy about making a bowl and giving his seniors a strong send off in their last career game at Williams-Brice Stadium.Muschamp said his team did a good job hanging together and continuing to work after three straight losses left them 2-4 at midseason.That was not a prime spot to be in, Muschamp said. Guys continue to investee, thats what we asked them to do.South Carolina had won its previous nine games over FCS opponents before Citadel used its rushing attack to control the game. The Bulldogs ran for 350 yards on 61 carries, only throwing three passes against the Gamecocks.Linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams said the defeat has motivated him almost every day.We dont want that to happen again, he said.----Some other things to watch when South Carolina faces Western Carolina:ORTHS GOODBYE: One-time walk-on senior quarterback Perry Orth plays his final home game, likely to once more remain on the behind freshmen Jake Bentley and Brandon McIlwain. Muschamp has cited Orths willingness to mentor the young players as one of the Gamecocks biggest assets to their second-half surge. Orth, who started 11 games in his career, hopes fans remember his strong football moments, too. Orth rallied the Gamecocks to a 13-10 victory over Vanderbilt to start the season and threw three second-half TDs as South Carolina nearly beat No. 1 Clemson 35-32 last season.WESTERNS END: Western Carolinas season comes to a close after Saturday. The Catamounts had hoped to contend in Southern Conference (they were third in the league last season) but started 0-6 in conference play. Western Carolina is 0-51 all-time against FBS opponents, including an 0-18 mark against SEC schools.YOUNG GAMECOCKS: 78 of South Carolinas 115-man roster are freshmen or sophomores. The team has played 13 true freshmen, including seven who are starters -- the most in the country this season.MUSCHAMP TIES: Western Carolina secondary coach Blake Gideon played for Texas when Will Muschamp was the Longhorns defensive coordinator. Gideon moved to Florida under Muschamp as a defensive quality control staffer. Gideon held a similar position last year at Auburn, following Muschamp there when he became the Tigers defensive coordinator.STRONG DEFENSE: South Carolina is among six FBS teams to hold every opponent under 30 points. The others are No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Michigan, No. 7 Washington, No. 16 LSU and No. 18 Auburn. The Gamecocks twice gave up 28 points this year, their highest total, in a loss to Georgia and a victory over UMass.---For more college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25---Follow Pete Iacobelli at www.Twitter.com/PIacobelli-APUSWNT Pro Shop . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. USWNT Jerseys 2021 . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. https://www.cheapuswnt.com/ . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. USWNT Jerseys China . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. USWNT Store . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. The man behind securing the 2025 Rugby League World Cup for North America believes NFL interest in NRL players can be a platform for the creation of an elite level competition in the US.Jason Moore, President of Moore Sports International, who brought Major League Baseball to the SCG in 2014, said league is a sport with a vast untapped potential in a country of over 300 million people.Kangaroos winger Valentine Holmes and Dally M Medallist Jason Taumalolo are the latest NRL stars to head to the States for a free agent combine in Los Angeles next week.And Moore, who divides his time between Sydney and the US, said Jarryd Haynes year-long stint with the San Francisco 49ers, briefly pricked Americas interest in the sport where he made his name.In our research weve found theres something similar about the running lines of rugby league and rugby union and the NFL backs, Moore told AAP.Catch, pass, run straight. Jarryd Hayne basically showcased all that we have been saying.Its a pity for us that he didnt just kick on a little bit more.But having said that, to do what he did and achieve what he achieved was unbelievable.The chances of Holmes and Taumalolo emulating Hayne as a result of this trial are slim, given the competition that they will come up against.But Moore is hoping one day top NRRL players will consider signing for a team in the US as an alternative to the English Super League.ddddddddddddWeve been working on this for over 10 years, Moore said.Not so much the World Cup but developing a rugby code in the US.Although rugby has made big strides over there, American viewers do not like sports where TV loses track of the ball.They love physical, gladiatorial sports that are played at a fast pace.Moore admits selling the game to America will be tough, but said plans are already afoot for a 10-12-team competition made up of city franchises in the US and Canada and containing local players within the next five years.College kids are a massive market for teams, as are the high school kids that dont make it to college, he said.About 30,000 high school kids go for 11,000 college places, then about 160 will make it to the NFL.So theres a hell of a lot of 18-23 year olds with not much to do that have been trained like professional athletes to catch, pass run and tackle.Its a massive challenge, but weve a great way to engage with the fans through their love of contact sports.In America, you have to think big or you will get booed off the stage. 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