The 2006 AutoZone Liberty Bowl featured a match-up between the C-USA champion Houston Cougars, coached by Art Briles, and the Steve Spurrier led South Carolina Gamecocks of the SEC.

South Carolina punter Spencer Lanning high fives a child during the team’s visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Gamecock center Pierre Andrews shares a laugh with a St. Jude child.

Houston Cougar quarterback Kevin Kolb visits with a child during the Cougar’s trip to St. Jude.

Houston quarterback L. J. Castille teaches a child the “Cougar Paw” hand sign during the team’s visit to St. Jude.

St. Jude CEO John Moses introduces St. Jude patient Matthew Moore to a game official during the coin toss of the 2006 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

56,103 fans packed Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to watch an offensive shootout between the Houston Cougars and South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2006 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell guides the Gamecock offense against Houston defensive end Phillip Hunt and the Cougar defense

Gamecock running back Cory Boyd attempts to break away from Cougar cornerback Kenneth Fontonette.

Houston’s Kevin Kolb hands the ball off to tailback Anthony Aldridge. Kolb finished the game 26 of 39 passing for 386 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Steve Spurrier and his staff guided the Gamecock offense to amass 512 yards of total offense and 44 points in the 2006 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Houston wideout Vincent Marshall had a huge game as he hauled in 9 passes for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Academy Award winner LeAnn Rimes performs during halftime of the 2006 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

South Carolina’s Blake Mitchell earned 2006 AutoZone Liberty Bowl MVP honors after completing 19 of 29 passes for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns.

South Carolina and Houston combined to score 80 points, the second highest scoring total in AutoZone Liberty Bowl history.

As night time set on the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the Gamecock and Cougar defenses stiffened. After allowing an AutoZone Liberty Bowl record 55 combined points in the first half, the two teams allowed only 25 combined points in the second half.

South Carolina wideout Kenny McKinley hauled in two 4th quarter touchdown catches from Blake Mitchell to secure the victory for the Gamecocks.

USC players Yvan Banag and Aubrey McKay celebrate following the Gamecocks thrilling 44-36 victory over Houston.

Congratulations to the South Carolina Gamecocks, Champions of the 2006 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.