Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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USC attempts to stop skid agains.t Vols BY DOUG WILLIAMS Sports Editor USC tries to break a two game losing streak as the Gamecocks take on always tough Tennessee in the Vols homecoming game in Knoxville tomorrow at 1:30. Carolina is trying to rebound from two devastating losses, 49-18 to Florida State and 24-0 to Georgia. On the other hand, Tennessee used their fourth string quar terback to crush Tulsa, 38-3, in their last encounter. The Gamecocks unboudtedly still remember last years heartbreaking defeat to Tennessee in Columbia. Vol placekicker George Hunt booted a 32 yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining to win, 20-18. Trailing 10-3 entering the final quarter, USC moved ahead on a touchdown and two point conversion. Then the Vols drove 44 yards for a score to take a 17-11 lead. But Carolina came'right back on a 61 yard touchdown pass from Tommy Suggs to Jimmy Mitchell before Hunt hit the winning three-pointer. This year, the teams appear to be somewhat more evenly balanced. Tennessee has been successful primarily because of their defense, while the Volunteer offense has been erratic. The same holds true for the Gamecocks. "I don't think our team is as well balanced as it was last year," said Tennessee head coach Bill Battle. "However, I feel the defense is as good , if not better. I know South Carolina's defense is better, and that they have been in about the same position as we have been offensively." Jimmy Maxwell, who led the Vols to their victory over Tulsa, will be at the helm Saturday afternoon. Maxwell has completed 8-22 passes for 85 yards and has had two intercepted. He has not thrown for a score in seven games, but Tennessee passers have thrown only two. Tailback Curt Watson and fullback Bill Rudder carry the burden for the Vols on the ground. Watson, who needs only 134 yards to move into the fifth spot among career SEC rushers, has picked 539 yards in 142 carries for a 3.8 average. Rudder has a 5.6 average, but has gained only 178 yards in 32 tries. Split end Joe Thompson paces the Tenessee receivers with six receptions for 84 yards and a single touchdown. Wingback George Silvey has grabbed five for 61, and tight end Gary Theiler has four catches for 75 yards. Stan Trott has accounted for the other Vol score through the air. Tennessee's line is made up of five veterans that have been mainly responsible for the success or failure of the ground game. Paced by co-captain Phil Fulmer at left guard, tackles Gaylon Hill and Joe Baithdrop, guard Bill Elmendorfer and center Tom Johnson compose the of fensive line. The Volunteer defense uses a four man front line, with three linebackers and four deep backs. The defensive front line is anchored by right tackle John Wagster, who is complemented by ends Ken Lambert and Carl Johnson, and tackle Frank Howell. The trio of linebackers could very well be the best in the nation. Consensus All-America Jackie Walker played one of his finest games of last season against the Gamecocks, and has intercepted two passes for 68 yards and one touch down this year. Ray Nettles and Jamie Roteila usually flank him, but Rotella has a hamstring pull and will be replaced by David Campbell. Tennessee's B Bobby Ma jors, who leads the secondary at free safety also ranks as one of the best in the nation. Though he has intercepted only one pass this year, Majors is one of the undisputed leaders among the Vois' defen ders. Cornerbacks Conrad Graham and David Allen form a powerful pair of backs who have stolen six enemy aerials this season. Strong side safety Eddie Brown, one of two sophomores on the starting defensive team -(Campbell is the other) rounds out the defensive backfield. Vol kicker Hunt has kicked ten field goals without a miss and also has not missed a point after attempt this season. Majqrs does the TennessQee pyi.r,.aye'g~g9 40.2-yards 0 voi Tennessee head coach Bil surrounded by captains: ( Tennessee under o BY DOUG WILLIAMS Sports Editor Tennessee head football coach Bill Battle finds himself in somewhat of the same position as YSC mentor Paul Dietzel. A tough defense has overshadowed what can only be described as a mediocre offense, something that both teams possess this year. Gone are Bobby Scot t and Lester McLain for the Vols, while Carolina no longer has lit tle Tommy Suggs to call the plays. In short , both offenses are not as potent as they were one year ago. "In our last seven games, we have started four different quarterbacks," Bat tle com mented. "That should give some kind of indication as to what the situation is. "We haven't been able to throw t he ball well in those seven games, eit her, and have had to rely mainly on defense. I'm hoping that we'll st art to move the ball a little bet ter, but then, I've been hoping that for the last seven weeks." Bat tle is certain of the fact that USC has been defeated t wice by a large margin will not effect his players. "Our team has been watching the films of Carolina's last few games. They are im pressed, and realize how well Sout.h Carolina has played us in t he coach, capta I Baffle is Fulmer (65, uard Phil (52), split erl M tough c mnsive prc "Florida State did some things that we are just not capable of doing," he continued. "Their quarterback had a really hot hand. USC tackled a Florida State player in the end zone for what we thought was a safety. But the officials place the ball on the one."~ "It was a game of inches. Florida State starts out deep in their own territory. Then their quarterback hits his man on the sideline and they go in to score. If he Carolina man intercepts It, the score is 17-0 and USC is ready to blow them off the field. "Then Dick Harris fumbled the t wo kicks. That is something that we can not depend on. So FSU got the momentum. From our stand point, the game could have gone either way."~ Maxy,Chi T MA in fia BY MA TT COVINGTON Sports Writer Wednesday night was the beginning of the intramural foot ball championship. Eight of the top teams saw action with four being eliminated after losing the firsi round. The fraternity and the in dependent championship games were held Thursday with the Wihh ih*M tr-rna ins t, linebacker Jackie Walker id Gary Theilier (20) lefense blems "South Carolina played pretty well against Georgia, too. Those two long runs by Georgia's quarterback just turned the game around." Battle was aware that the USC defense has been tough through much of the season, but also cited the kicking game as one of Carolina's stronger points. "Harris is one of the best in the nat ion, not only as a kick returner, but also as a defensive back. The Gamecocks do a thorough job In all phases of their kicking game, and take a great deal of pride in it." "We're looking for one of the toughest, hardest-hitting games of this season. South Carolina over the last couple of years has fought us right down to the wire. It will be a physical game, without a doubt. Psi, PiKa, ial action lo determine the campus cham pion. In Wednesday night action, The Townmen who are xut to defend their title, beat Bates team number 1 by the score of 19-6. The Townmen took an early lead wit h the running of Dave Hines and Jerry Sanders. Hines scored on a long run with excellent down field blocking by the offensive line but