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_Sports_ Freshmen provide solace in loss by Jared Kelowitz Sports Editor Anyone who looked only at the box score of Saturday’s football game is prob ably thinking that it was the same old sit uation for USC. i But the Gamecocks’ 36-10 loss to the Rebels of Ole Miss, while disheartening, wasn’t a complete letdown. USC gave its fans a glimpse into an apparently bright future when coach Lou Holtz decided to start three freshmen in the backfield. In his first collegiate start, quarter back Mikal Goodman completed eight of 15 passes for 147 yards, including a 39 yard bomb to Jermale Kelly. That pass set up the only Gamecock touchdown of the game and the first USC touchdown at Williams-Brice Stadium this season. “I was very pleased with the way Mikal Goodman played,” Holtz said. “He did some good things, like avoiding sacks, and threw some good passes in tough situations.” Another freshman who got his first start at this level was highly touted full back Andrew Pinnock. Pinnock, tabbed as Mr. Football in Connecticut last sea son, missed the first four games of the 1999 campaign because of eligibility re quirements. He didn’t waste time in mak ing his presence felt against the Rebels. On just his sixth carry of the game, he rumbled three yards for USC’s first and only touchdown. Pinnock’s game statistics, although not very impressive on the whole, didn’t show the key blocks or the key 2- and 3-yard gains for third-down conversions. The 6-foot, 250-pound Pinnock, who runs a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, has drawn com parisons to the likes of Jerome Bettis. “One thing Andrew brings to our offense is power,” fellow freshman Good man said of Pinnock’s stature. “I know one thing there won’t be anymore of: those one-hand tackles.” The third freshman, and the one who has become a household name, is Derek Watson. Though his rushing statistics were also mediocre, he showcased plenty of ability in Carolina’s first four games. “Considering how our offensive line played, I think Watson and Pinnock both did agood job,” Holtz said. “I mean, they were pushing us all over the line of scrimmage. Ole Miss defenders were pop ping all over the back field, just like those little targets when you’re in military train ing.” Although the three freshmen and the rest of the new-look Gamecocks are tak ing their lumps now, there could be bright things in this team’s future. One perso* who sees a promising future is Holtz. “I think in a few years, these three guys could be running our division,” Holtz said. “As they continuously get beat on this year, they are getting better. “By the time they get to where they want to be, they are going to appreciate it a lot more after a season like this.” Rebels from page 9 on the first play. Fullback Teddy Salters plowed into the Rebel line, losing the ball in the process, which was picked up by Ole Miss linebacker A1 Rice and rumbled 37 yards untouched into the end zone. Facing a 17-0 deficit early in the sec ond quarter, USC needed a boost. The team received excellent field position from returner Boo Williams on the 50 yard line, but then misfortune hit the Gamecocks again. Williams was hit hard on the left knee and taken off the field with a tom mediate cruciate ligament. He didn’t return and is expected to miss at least two weeks. After a three-downs-and-punt pos session, safety Sheldon Brown deflected a wide-open pass to Rebel receiver and SEC Offensive Player of the Week Cory Peterson that probably would have been a touchdown. The play, USC’s biggest de fensive effort of the game, started to turn the tide for the Gamecocks. Miller rolled out and threw a screen pass to end Maurice Flournoy, which USC safety Rashad Faison read perfectly and moved in for the tackle. Faison popped the ball loose, and Kalimba Edwards piled on top for a Carolina recovery. On first down, Goodman threw a 39 yard pass to Kelly on the 12-yard line. Af ter three runs to the 3-yard line, USC faced fourth-and-one for the first down. Good man handed off to freshman back Andrew Pinnock, who was playing his first game after sitting out five weeks for NCAA Clearinghouse. Pinnock bulldozed through the hole and into the end zone for Car olina’s first score. Up 17-7 on Ole Miss’ next posses sion, Gunn escaped for a 39-yard run around the left side. Seven plays later, Miller found Jamie Armstrong in the end zone for a touchdown, breaking Caroli na’sbacks. USC could only get three more points on a Steve Florio field goal, but Ole Miss, behind 393 yards of total offense, put up 12. After a safety stemming from a snap over the head of Goodman and out of the end zone, the final was 36-10. “You don’t have a chance if you don’t play decent on offensive line,” Holtz said “We just got beat physically.” Staff Reports The Gamecock Men’s Soccer The men’s soccer team split its match es in the Philips/adidas Soccer Classic over the weekend, losing 2-0 to No. 15 St. John’s on Friday and beating host No. 19 Rutgers on Sunday, 1-0. USC improves to 5-3-2 with the win. Volleyball USC split conference road games over the weekend, winning over LSU, 3-1, and falling to No. 23 Arkansas, 3-0. In the LSU game, senior Crystal Moore became one of only two Game cocks to have 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills in her career, picking up her 1,000th dig on a pass to Megan Hosp. Women’s Tennis The doubles team of Leigh Eichel beiger/Lynn Yin Tan won the Flight A Ti tle and Tamara Sutton/Catherine Brown won the Flight B title Sunday at the La dy Gamecock Fall Classic. CAROLINIAN CREED WEEK ESSAY CONTEST $500 AWARD “ The aim of education should be service, not success. ” - Anonymous Essays should discuss, in 500 words or less, how this quote relates to the Creed and to students at USC. All essays should be double spaced and should include a title page with the student’s name and social security number as well as the submitting faculty member or instructor’s name. • The first place winner will receive $500. Essays must be submitted by a faculty member and are due no later than October 18 at noon to the Office of Student Judicial Programs, 900 Assembly Street, Suite 103. Sponsored by University Housing, the Carolina Student Judicial Council, and the Office of Student Judicial Programs s*oM*<V J I FOR Y2K I • develop communication and • discover the inner workings of a leadership skills large institution like USC • earn professional job experience * acquaint yourself with staff, • help new students and parents and administrators adjust to university life . #- • , , J J • receive great financial rewards Information and applications are available in the Student Orientation Office, 345 Russell House or call 777-2780 for further information. Application Deadline: October 26th i .*■ Tailgate Central! Don’t forget to stop by our merchandise tent this weekend in front of Famous Chicken'n Biscuits 9 ■ 9| ■ f&9| m B HB c B y ^B^ ^B j|Hk tBI Sfe &1* &&L^ 27?e Official Bookstore of USC \ 1400 Greene St. • Russell House • (803) 777-4160 Where your purchases benefit both you and the scholarship programs of USC. ; . ■" - 1 .I I