Bowl still not under contract

Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) looks to pass as South Carolina defensive end Gerald Dixon pressures during Saturday's Independence Bowl.(Photo: Nelson Chenault USA TODAY Sports)

The folks at the Independence Bowl entered into a unique agreement with its new title sponsor, Duck Commander, this year. Not only did Saturday showcase South Carolina and Miami, a myriad of business ventures from first family of outdoors took center stage.

Moving forward, I Bowl chairman Paul Pratt would like to make sure the deal works for both sides.

"I would have liked to talk with Willie (Robertson) man to man to complete this arrangement," Pratt said. "We have to see if this is a good fit. It might not be.

"We have bills to pay. I don't want to be here when we don't have a bowl. I'd like to sit down and say, 'What worked for you guys? Let's see if we can up the ante and get more dollars from you and your partners.'" wholesale mlb jerseys china

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The I Bowl and Duck Commander are still working off a letter of intent, created in February. It was scheduled to create a six year deal.

"The agreement is still fluid, that's why we have to go back and hammer this out," Pratt said. "There are terms must be met. We need to get a real contract."

Pratt's term as chairman runs until March. Kyle McInnis will then assume duties as chairman for the 2015 game. However, Pratt will continue be very active in the negotiations with the Robertsons

"I don't want grass to grow under our seats," Pratt said. "We need to get this done in the next month."

Saturday's official attendance was 38,242, but driving rains, plummeting temperatures and a nearby tornado warning didn't urge area residents to flood Independence Stadium.

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"The conditions were bad, but fans still showed up in large numbers; and they stayed longer than they've stayed in the past," Pratt said. "It shows the power of the matchup and the Robertsons." wholesale mlb jerseys

The attendance figure ranks just shy of the average for the past five years, but is far short of the numbers the bowl has regularly produced with an SEC team. It was the lowest attendance with an SEC team since the famous Snow Bowl between Mississippi State and Texas A in 2000.

South Carolina, a 24 21 winner of the Hurricanes, was the first SEC team to play in the games since 2009.

Saturday saw the debut of Independence Stadium's impressive new video board, ribbon board and sound system. The Independence Bowl took out a loan for more than $1 million and the city of Shreveport will contribute $100,000 a year for five years.

Pratt acknowledged some kinks need to be worked out with the new equipment.

"A series of things, including an adjacent building, led to the power loss on part of the board in the second half," Pratt said. "In the future, we must have technician on staff."

Pratt said the size of the type where the score and game information was too small and will be adjusting in the future.

SEC teams have won their past three appearances in the I Bowl.

Photo gallery: Duck Commander Independence Bowl

South Carolina used the facilities at Loyola College Prep prior to Saturday's game while Miami spent its time practicing at the new Freedom Fields complex in Bossier City.