ORLANDO, Fla. — Rainy and overcast weather could be to blame for light attendance at the 68th Annual Capital One Bowl at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Wednesday.
The game ended with South Carolina knocking off Wisconsin by a score of 34-24.
Despite the low attendance, fans traveling for the game and last week's Russell Athletic Bowl spent big bucks in the Orlando area. In fact, the fans are estimated to have brought $100 million into the local economy.
"I've been coming to the bowl since 1975," said fan Dennis Salvagio.
Tailgating was soggy for the fans that came up, but most were fired up to see the Gamecocks take on the Badgers.
"(We're) not going to let it dampen our spirits," said South Carolina fan Terry Bennett. "We're here to see the Gamecocks win, and were happy to be here."
Some Wisconsin fans who drove 20 hours to Orlando told Channel 9 the wet weather beats below-zero temperatures at home, even if the sun was a no show.
One family even brought their 7-month-old to see his uncle Nate Hammon take the field.
In all, about 56,000 fans attended the game, which marks the final football game in the Citrus Bowl before its $200 million facelift.
"It's a classic, an older stadium," said Bennett. "We relish it, going to check it out. It's very different."