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cEThc (Samccork Georgia coach Donnan tells team to be wary of Gamecocks Saturday ^ by Pete Iacobelli Associated Press If Georgia’s past doesn’t matter, neither does South Caroli na’s to Georgia coach Jim Donnan. “All people talk about to us is how many times we’ve lost to Tennessee and Florida and what’s happened in the past. But that’s immaterial,” said Donnan, whose ninth-ranked Bulldogs face South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday. So he wants his team to see the Gamecocks as 1 -0, not 1 -21. “They’re off to a good start, got the same record as we do,” he said. 3 The Gamecocks ended their worst in the nation, 21 -game los ing streak with a 31 -0 victory over New Mexico State last week, their first since coach Lou Holtz arrived in December 1998. The win has given them a jolt of confidence as they try and break an 18-game Southeastern Conference losing streak that t dates to 1997. Georgia, however, is favored by oddsmakers, with the spread ranging from 10 points to two touchdowns. Bulldog supporters are talking national title and a South Carolina struggle is not in their plans. HBMHI -!-I ' I ■ * .m-« Among the Bulldog faithful who consider this the strongest Georgia team since Herschel Walker ran through the hedges at Sanford Stadium two decades ago, the Dawgs are expected to roll until October, then defeat Tennessee on Oct. 7 and settle the SEC East division with a win against Florida three weeks later. And that’s what worries Donnan about South Carolina. Donnan “has made it well known to us that anything can hap pen,” linebacker Will Witherspoon said. Tight end Randy McMichael says the players got the mes sage. “Anytime it is an SEC game it counts more... because we are trying to go undefeated in the SEC East,” he said. “We are go ing to play them just like we were playing Florida or Tennessee.” Sometimes, that’s not enough for Georgia in this series. In 1993, South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhiil led a last-second drive for a 23-21 victory. Gamecock fans still trea sure Georgia broadcaster Larry Munson’s call of tailback Bran don Bennett’s TD. In 1996, a strong Georgia team came into Wlliams-Brice with title hopes and left a 23-14 loser. Two years ago Bulldogs star Quincy Carter was rattled and ineffective for the first half against the Gamecocks, throwing for 10 yards, before he and the team recovered for a 17-3 victo ry Holtz hopes the Gamecocks can keep it that close, though he has sounded at times this week like the featured speaker at a “Go Dawgs” rally. After the win over New Mexico State, Holtz’s first since retiring from Notre Dame in 1996, the coach said he knew his players and Gamecock fans were ready to take on Geoigia “be cause you think you have an improved football team, which we are.” “But Geoigia is a vastly improved football team,” he said. Holtz sees in Carter a Heisman Trophy contender, and he says the Bulldogs’ defense with new coordinator Gary Gibbs already has eliminated the few big plays that cost them last year. “They have unbelievable quickness and they dominated the line of scrimmage against us last year,” Holtz said. “I doubt if we. play a better football team.” Geoigia has its problems. Linebacker Boss Bailey, a defen sive leader, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 29-7 win over Geoigia Southern last week. Reserve linebacker Tony Gilbert and tight end Robert Bran non also won’t play against South Carolina. They are the last of Geoigia’s seven players who had to miss a game because of their unauthorized use of a university long-distance telephone code. Associated Press Top 25 1. Nebraska 2. Florida State 3. Michigan 4. Miami (Fla.) 5. Wisconsin 6. Texas 7. * Kansas State 8. Florida 9. Georgia ' 10. Virginia Tech 11. Southern California 12. Tennessee 13. Alabama 14. Purdue 15. Washington 16. UCLA 17. Clemson 18. Ohio State 19. Ole Miss 20. Oklahoma 21. Illinois 22. Texas Christian 23. Notre Dame 24. Michigan State 25. Southern Miss —-■—-i Sean Rayford The Gamecock USC running back Derek Watson, center, takes a handoff from quarterback Phil Petty, left, against New Mexico State last Saturday. Watson gained 114 yards on 14 carries in the game. tSw ^^ Gamecock Sports Challenge Georgia-USC Missouri-Clemson Auburn-Ole Miss Miami-Washington Nebraska-N.D. A A Sports~l Editor (4-1) use Clemson Ole Miss ' Miami N.D. Asst Sports Editor (3-2) Georgia Clemson Die Miss Miami Nebraska /\ Editor in Chief 0-2) Georgia Clemson Auburn Miami Nebraska Defending Champion (4-1) Georgia Clemson Ole Miss Washington Nebraska _ _ Kevin Langston (4-1) Georgia Clemson Auburn Washington Nebraska Want to know what the talk is about? Listen and find out. _ 4_ Do you want a chance to roam the sidelines at Williams-Brice or sit courtside when USC takes on the Kentucky basketball team? Then join The Gamecock Sports Photography staff. Call 777-7726. ft \ / I I / 1 V ^ II «Q9^^B / ft (09 # /you are ready /or a /?£AZ Tailgate Party, then come on by! 1I tie Sec°i\<l Great GAMECOCf^ '^BftB Tailgate Fart# 0f ?000 September 9 (USC vs. GEORGIA) 1:00 - 3:00 pm K i \ featuring the band, "WILL HOGE" l/\ \ \ Seawell's parking lot -1125 Rosewood Drive across the street from "the ROCKET'at the State Fairgrounds. y^i\ I // The best part is that it is all FREE: Music, Lots of Great Food, Drinks and Door Prizes. >vl| ISouvenirs for the first 250 USC students in attendance. / ^ U General parking is available at Seawell's for $5 per vehicle. V\7 / / 11 FREE Bus Shuttle to the Tailgate Party and back to campus after the Game! W I II 12:30 & 1:30 pm: Pick ups at the Russell House, Columbia Hall & Bates House jSII 1/ Actual time or event may change due to funding or programmatic decisions. For additional information, please all 777-7130. //Y\ / / Department of Student life _ Division of Student tk Alumni Services | \ \ It's football season, and like your favorite football team, maybe it's time to make an extended road trip. So grab some friends and board the nearest Amtrak® train. With huge, comfortable seats, food aplenty, and all your friends around, it's like the world’s fastest tailgate party. For information on fares to our over 500 destinations, call your travel agent or Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL, or visit our website at www.amtrak.com. Amtrak® r— 1 . ENTER TO WIN I AN ALL-EXPENSE-PAID TRIP TO SEE THE GAMECOCKS PLAY THE GATORS INTHE SWAMPI! TRIP INCLUDES: GROUND-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 2 ON AMTRAK'S SILVER STAR G2 NIGHTS HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 2 AT TEAM HOTEL *2 TICKETS TO THE USC/UF GAME G$500 SPENDING MONEY Schedule subject to change without notice. No purchase necessary. Open to U.S. residents over age 18 except sponsor’s employees, spouses & dependents. Odds of winning depend on number of entries. Estimated trip por tion of prize valued at $1,424; all taxes responsibility of winner. Entries must be received by 11/01/00; need not be present to win—notified by phone. Winner must sign eligibility/liability waiver statement. Void where prohibited. For winners’ list write to address on entry form. PLEASE FILL IN BLANKS: " " 1 | NAME:_ OVER 18!_| J HOME PH:____| ! WORK PH: I 1 ! ADDRESS: ' | --- , ] _ I ! CITY:—..__ STATE:! I ' ZIP: _._I I EMAIL:___! J HAIL ENTKf FOAH TO GoiomooAf Spon* HorfwOof.AO Bo, SOLO* I I Colon*».SC19IS0 or Fs*io 80) 7777176 | - i [A Read it... Live it... Be it... ?£ll&$K39111CC0Ck e *• Intramural Golf Tournament CTournament to be held on Friday, September 29 at the Indian River Golf Club Tee times 12:04pm - 3:00pm Two-Man Best Ball Tournament Four players/team or play as an individual. i Awards for longest drive and closest to the pin. Signups being accepted now thru Thursday , Sept. 14th. $20 per person. I Men’s, Women’s and Greek divisions offered. F aculty/Staff welcome. The Office of Campus Recreation 202 Blatt PE Center 777-5261 Department of Student Life Division of Student and Alumni Services use