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■ OFFENSE Continued from page 11 who was the leading rusher for USC in one of the summer scrimmages. In Saturday’s scrimmage, Gray ran for 51 yards on just six carries. Following Gray, Summers, sophomore Cory Boyd and junior Daccus Turman will all see some playing time at tailback. Fullback is not nearly as deep a position for the Gamecocks as running back, but great news came when Antonio Lamar arrived on campus Tuesday after resolving eligibility issues. The 6-foot-2 inch, 245-pound fullback from Snellville, Ga., would probably get the bulk of time at the position should he learn the offense. If not, Holtz said the team will go to more one-back, three-receiver formations. Gamecock Grade: B+ With so many weapons in the backfield, the team should depend heavily on the run. If one man is to emerge, he will have to be awfully impressive. There will be no sharing of playing time under center for Vanderbilt as junior Jay Cutler has established as himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the SEC. The leader of the Commodore offense has a chance to shatter a couple of Vanderbilt records. Most experts predict Cutler will break both the single season and career marks for touchdowns at Vanderbilt. Cutler, a preseason AU-SEC second-team selection, is also a dual-threat passer and will be the key for the Commodores in their attempt to turn around the football program. Gamecock Grade: A Cutler is a great talent and is probably superior to anything USC could match at the quarterback position. Halfback, like USC, is a position in which Vanderbilt has a few options. Kwame Doster, the 2002 SEC freshman of the year, is looking to rebound and reemerge as the man after a disappointing sophomore season. However, in Doster’s down year, senior Norval McKenzie established himself as the starter and will not be quick to give the job back. McKenzie was last season’s leading rusher in black and gold, and you will probably see a two-headed back this season. Gamecock Grade: C+ The Commodores have a lot of potential at the running back position, but consistency has been a problem. Cutler will be the feature guy for Vanderbilt — not one of the backs. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc.edu ■ GUZAN Continued from page 11 worked his way to eight shutouts on the season, fifth most in school history, and 69 total saves. In addition to what shows up on the stat sheet, Guzan was a leader at the back for the Gamecocks. Carolina’s keeper could always be heard instructing and assisting his defenders when the ball was in their end of the field. His achievements on the field led to more honors as Guzan was named to College Soccer News’ All-Freshman team and was just one of two freshmen named to the NSCAA All-South team. Guzan spent his summer back home in Illinois as a member of the Premier Development League on the Chicago Fire Reserves, a squad unofficially affiliated with the MLS franchise. While with the team, Guzan led the league with eight shutouts, .388 goals allowed per game and 13 wins. “It was definitely a good experience for me,” Guzan said. “I was able to hold my own for the most part, but also, lots of my weaknesses were exposed because the game is even quicker on the next level.” Guzan said that in addition to improving on an individual level, he felt that the USC team, which lost only one graduating senior, would be significantly better. “While I have only been here one year, I think that the team looks much stronger soccer-wise than last season,” Guzan said. “This year, the guys are coming in as a whole and while we are a young team, it is going to be fun. I think we are going to turn a lot of heads.” Guzan expects to see the Gamecocks overcome last year’s late-season struggles and make the NCAA Tournament as one of the top programs in the country. As for individual expectations, Guzan hopes to build on last year and continue to mature as a player. But he knows that his success and that of the team’s go hand-in-hand. “Those (personal goals) will just fall into place,” Guzan said. “We have to work together and succeed as a team first. You’re only going to go as far as the other guys on the team. Without them, I don’t achieve anything — not the goals I had last year or, hopefully, the ones I will reach this year.” The months ahead will tell if his goals and forecasts of the season can be fulfilled. But one thing is almost certain: The men’s soccer team won’t be placing any ads looking for goalkeepers this year. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc. edu ■ SOCCER Continued from page 11 he’s going to be a good one. But we need a few guys to step up and score some goals for us. We’re still working on finding another proven goal scorer." Potential candidates to aid Cristman in scoring goals include freshmen Nico Colaluca, David Rosenbaum, Matt Ayotte and Chris Tierney. Veteran Paul Johnson will likely see some minutes if he can avoid the injuries that have plagued him for the past two seasons. The Cavalier midfield is anchored by senior Mike Littlefield and sophomore Will Hall. Littlefield earned second team All-ACC honors last year as a forward, posting huge numbers of 14 points, 4 goals and 6 assists. Hall joined Cristman on the ACC All-Freshmen team after scoring 5 points, 1 goal and three assists. Virginia’s defense finished last season on a hot streak, yielding only four goals in its final six matches. The unit also recorded seven shutouts, including two in both the ACC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. This season, the defense will rely heavily on veterans, with 2003 All-American Matt Oliver leading the way. Expect contributions from John Hartman, Jeff Tuman and converted forward Ian Holder, as well. The Cavaliers will have to deal with a bit of controversy at the goalkeeper position. Sophomore Ryan Best began last season as the starting goalie, starting Virginia’s first eight matches before an injury sidelined him. That opened the door for sophomore Ryan Burke, who stepped in and never looked back on his way to being named to the ACC All-Freshman team, as well as the ACC Tournament MVP. The Gamecocks will rely on a young team this season, with 15 of 25 scholarship players being newcomers. USC doesn’t have any seniors on this year’s team, but Coach Berson expects leadership from a strong junior class, including Greg Reese and Ryan Detter. USC’s sophomore goalie Brad Guzan, recently selected to the Premier Development League’s All-League Team, is one of the best in the country. The Gamecocks will take on the Cavaliers Thursday at Stone Stadium. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc. edu Holtz fields students’ questions at Strom By STEPHEN DEMEDIS THE GAMECOCK USC head football coach Lou Holtz taped his first television show of the year Monday at the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center in front of an audience comprised of members of the Student Gamecock Club. Holtz answered questions from both the show’s host and members of the audience on topics ranging from last year’s disappointing end, to the new coaching staff, to players such as newcomer Sydney Rice. Two of the more direct comments Holtz made regarded the play of sophomore second-string quarterback Syvelle Newton and the competition at fullback. When asked by a student how the coaching staff would get Newton playing time if he were not the starting quarterback, Holtz said Newton would receive playing time over center in every quarter of every game. In addition, Holtz expressed that he did not want to play Newton at any position other than quarterback. Newton was the team’s third-best wide receiver last season. Holtz fielded another student’s question regarding the starting fullback position. The team has yet to name a starter, and the position is extremely important to the team’s new offensive play calling. Holtz said he has not been impressed with anyone’s play at the position and that it was a major concern heading into the Vanderbilt game. Overall, Holtz’s interview was well received by members of the audience. When the taping was complete, the coach stayed and talked to members of the Student Gamecock Club and autographed memorabilia. “The interview was delightful,” said Mike Lintal, a second-year economics student. “I think it is really cool that someone as famous as Lou Holtz would let students ask him questions and then sign autographs for them. It shows how much he cares about this university and the students that go to it.” The show will air Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on WIS-TV. Comments on this story? E-?nail gamecocksports@gwm.sc.edu OLYMPIC UPDATE By ALEX RILEY THE GAMECOCK USC senior track star Otis Harris promoted himself to superstar Monday, as he became the first Gamecock to bring home an Olympic medal in 2004. Harris took home the silver medal in the men’s 400 meter. “Running felt great,” Harris said. “I felt good, and when 1 came around the back stretch, I felt really good so I kept going. When I got to the 300-m, I saw I had a chance to win so I just went for it. I am so proud to wear this uniform and represent the USA. And to bring a medal home to Columbia, S.C., is also wonderful.” Jeremy. Wariner of Baylor University took home the gold, while fellow SEC star Derrick Brew of LSU won bronze, giving the American team a complete sweep in the men’s 400 meter. Wariner finished at a career-best 44 seconds even, followed by Harris’ career-best 44.16 and Brew’s 44.42. “Otis was prepared to win the race, but Jeremy got him in the last few meters,” USC head coach Curtis Frye said. “It’s wonderful for the U.S. to have three talented 400 meter runners that all ran 44. They all did this together.” The United States on a whole had dominated the event since 1984, winning 13 of 18 medals and sweeping the event in 1988. “I hope USC and the USA are proud of these three young men,” Frye said. After winning the silver medal, Harris was pleasantly surprised by a familiar face. “Soon after my race,” Harris said, “my hero Michael Johnson came up to me and said, ‘Good job, Otis, congratulations,’ and shook my hand. Wow, my hero knows my name. After we huddled together, someone gave us a USA flag and we did a very slow victory lap around the track. Wow, what a rush that was. The three of us, draped in USA flags, receiving well wishes from 80,000-plus people.” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Senior Otis Harris, left, displays his silver medal Monday in the 400 meters. Harris’ medal was the first for USC in the Athens games. ♦ USC graduate Tonique Williams-Darling became USC’s first women’s track and field Olympic gold medalist Tuesday as she won the 400 meters in 49.41 seconds. Williams-Darling, ranked No. 1 in the world and running for her native Bahamas, defeated world champion Ana Guevera. Guevera took silver with a time of 49.56, and Russian Natalya Antyukh took bronze with a time of 49.89. ♦ USC diver Tracey Richardson will compete today in the 3-m springboard event. Richardson is diving for the Great Britain team. Richardson was seen on TV during the opening ceremonies walking with the Great Britain team. “It was just amazing,” Richardson said. “It was just so electric. I heard I was on television in the States and was so excited to be on the telly so much. They put us in height order, and because I am so small I was right in the front. It was long time to stand up — six hours — but it was well worth it.” ♦ Note: At press time, the results for Melissa Morrison, Lisa Misipeka and Aleen Bailey were unavailable. Those results will be reported Friday. OTHER NOTABLES ♦ The United States softball team finished the most dominating run of the Olympics in easy fashion, as it beat Australia 5-1 for the gold medal. Crystal Bustos slammed two home runs and had 3 RBIs to lead the way for the women at the plate. Lisa Fernandez pitched a four-hit complete game, but gave up the first and only run of the entire Olympics. ♦ Mia Hamm and the United States women’s soccer team needed one overtime period to finish off Germany in the semifinals to advance to the gold medal game. Kristine Lilly scored in the 33rd minute to take the lead 1-0, before Germany came back to tie. In the extra period, Hamm drove the ball deep into scoring territory to set up Heather O’Reilly who hit the game winner. The women advance to face either Sweden or Brazil on Thursday. ♦ The men’s basketball team finally made easy work of a team, as it knocked off Angola 89-53 to advance to the quarterfinals. Tim Duncan led the way with 15 points, while Carlos Boozer and LeBron James added 11. Copy editor Steven Van Haren contributed to this report. Comments on this story^ E-mail gamecocksports@gwm.sc. edu BRIEFS Ex-Gamecock faces NFL drug violation Former USC football player John Abraham will meet with NFL officials today after allegedly violating his aftercare treatment. After entering the NFL’s substance abuse program last October for a drunk driving arrest, the New York Jets’ defensive end recently took a I ' T~ ' " — — random test that indicated he had high levels of alcohol in his system. Abraham is expected to appeal the test results. If the positive test is upheld, Abraham could be fined a maximum of four game checks and could be subject to suspension for future violations. Tony Agnone, Abraham’s agent, denies his client failed the test. Some published reports suggest Abraham took a polygraph test, passed it and will present the results to league officials. Neither the NFL nor the New York Jets would comment on the charges. Abraham is in the final season of his original contract with the Jets. He is expected to play linebacker, his college position, in some 3-4 fronts this year for new defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson. --- ;- I Gamecock Sports needs beat writers for soccer and volleyball in addition to other positions. If you’re interested in writing for Sports, please come to The Gamecock interest meeting tonight in Russell House 304 at 7 p.m. _1_._4_I_! 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