Star wide receiver named Capital One Bowl MVP despite third quarter ejection
ORLANDO, Fla. — With seven seconds left in the first half of the Capital One Bowl after what looked to be another string of poor clock management by USC coach Steve Spurrier, all was forgiven when quarterback Connor Shaw lofted a 51-yard pass to a place where only wideout Alshon Jeffery could get it.
Jeffery extended his big frame, came down with the catch, and then retained the presence of mind to push forward into the end zone to give the Gamecocks a 16-13 lead going into the half.
But with the catch came the call in the next quarter—the right call. A personal foul after Jeffery and Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard exchanged shoves and hands in face masks that resulted in the ejection of both players.
And for a second, the catch was nearly forgotten. It became about the call. Fans shifted their anger to the referees because someone had to be blamed. It couldn’t end like that, could it?
It did end like that and no one’s to blame here. Just as the call in the game was the right one, the call Jeffery made in the next week was right as well. He’s almost assuredly a first-round draft choice and Spurrier supports his decision to make an early exit. Gamecock fans should follow suit.
“I said it many, many times. If we think our guys are first-round picks, they should go,” Spurrier said. “And if they’re not, they can improve their status for another year. We hope they will stay and play. It’s up to Alshon and not up to me, and I think he’ll do some diligent research and make smart decisions.”
Just as in those two moments, Jeffery has been a polarizing athlete this season for the Gamecocks. In one moment, he makes a play that can glue fans’ eyes to the replay. In the next, he’s indifferent to the “one more year” chants that have become so popular among Gamecock fans, breaking hearts just as quickly as he made them thud with excitement.
There shouldn’t be any polarity anymore. Jeffery made the “smart decision” and has elected to enter the NFL draft, where he will likely be the second receiver taken after Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon. After all that he’s sacrificed for Gamecock fans, the chants need to be, “good luck next year.”
Jeffery has given up his livelihood for the betterment of what Spurrier refers to as “the best team ever from South Carolina.” He has stayed faithful through quarterback changes, even when it has affected him adversely. With the “Shaw Era” came the “zone-read era,” where Shaw often keeps and runs instead of looking for an open receiver.
Jeffery, who had 11 100-yard games in his career entering the season, went game after game without one until the bowl game against Nebraska, where he put his name in the school-record books with 12. In the press box, the announcer referred to Jeffery as Ashton instead of Alshon on several occasions, which isn’t entirely surprising, considering the quiet season he’s had.
Defenses certainly haven’t forgotten his name, though. Jeffery’s threat alone was able to make opportunities for the Gamecock offense, as the cover two scheme that brought an extra defender to cover him made the middle of the field vulnerable to the running game.
Why is it a smart decision for him to go? Because another season like the one he had this year could be detrimental to his draft stock. With 148 yards off four catches against Nebraska, Jeffery’s stock is as high as it has been this year. There’s also the risk of injury. Ask Oklahoma’s Ryan Broyles, who came back for his senior season to tear his ACL.
Jeffery was named the MVP after the game despite his ejection following an altercation with Dennard, once again causing dissension about if an ejected player should be named the MVP. Jeffery smiled wide as he accepted the award, not caring about the controversy that surrounded it, saying it was the first time he’d ever been voted an MVP. He lofted the award high over his head, mirroring his position when he made the catch that changed the game.
In describing the play, Jeffery said it was something he and Shaw had practiced often, though it didn’t go quite the same in practice as it did in the game.
“Normally I tip it to someone,” Jeffery said. “Coach Spurrier tells me if I have a chance to catch it, catch it and score, and that’s what I did.”
Jeffery had the chance to make the catch, and instead of tipping it away, he’s chosen to catch it and score. Who can blame him for that?