updated 9:08 p.m. ET Nov. 22, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Clemson and South Carolina will not accept bowl bids, punishment for players who brawled toward the end of Saturday’s game.

South Carolina athletic director Mike McGee said Monday that the Gamecocks’ actions on the field were not consistent with the values and ethics of the school.

“This decision will have a significant financial impact on USC athletics. We will also lose a month of prebowl practice,” McGee said. “It was a decision that had to be made.”

Clemson athletics director Terry Don Phillips said in a statement the decision isn’t fair to the majority of the players.

“But given the circumstances, I believe strongly that it is the right decision so that our university, our student-athletes, supporters and all people that love Clemson know without question what our values are,” he said.

Both teams qualified for the postseason with 6-5 records.

The brawl, which broke out with about six minutes left in the game, started when Tigers defensive lineman Bobby Williamson took down South Carolina quarterback Syvelle Newton and appeared to linger too long on top of him.

South Carolina coach Lou Holtz, in his last game after a 33-year career, and Clemson coach Tommy Bowden tried to break up the brawl. Eventually, security and police officers were needed to restore order. Clemson won 29-7.

McGee said individual suspensions for players will be forthcoming.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Big Ten blows BCS spot Opinion: 10 bowl matchups that would be a treat CFT: ‘By the numbers’ — McCoy goes for record CFT: Iowa’s Stanzi could return for bowl game CFT: Meyer says Florida ‘lacking the big hits’ Tribe stops school from dropping nickname Trash Talk: Sorry, but SEC not all it’s cracked up to be   Vote: Which is the best conference? CFT: Mystery over for No. 5 Cincinnati — Pike will sit Iowa-Ohio St. in-depth video preview, analysis College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: