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Iwo Univers SEC Bid, Carolina president Dr. Thomas F. Jones said Saturday the University is making "no conscious thrust" to receive an invitation to join the Southeastern Conference. The statement came after Athletic Director Paul Dietzel was quoted by Atlanta newspaper and a wire service as saying USC has a a strong interest to become part of the conference "We have many friends in the SEC and they have the same philosophy as we have," Dietzel reportedly said. "If conditions were favorable, we would be interested in discussing the possibility of membership in the SEC." Jones, however, said Diet zel's remarks "do not represent the policy of the instition." "We've talked about several possibilities--applying for 501o ROOM SIZI HUNDREDS AND STYLE! TO CHOOSE ] COLUMBIA ( 2738 Devine 414 Down e ine ity Not So President membership in the Southeastern Conference, forming a conference of Paul Dietzel ...looking to SEC? present independents and possibly reapplying to the Atlantic Coast Conference ever the years," Jones said. "But Coach Dietzel's statements are just off-the-cuff remarks." Dietzel's comments were made after Georgia Tech Athletic Director Bobby Dodd confirmed that his school is interested in rejoining the SEC. Should Tech be readmitted to OFF l CARPETS OF COLORS S AND COLORS FROM. ~ARPETS ,INC.| St. 253-6917. tv.4 4-4 q0 a :t. ici ing Claims the conference, a spot would probably- be open for another school. Tech would be the 11th school in the league. Speculation is that the league would want to have an even number of teams. Other teams expressing interest in joining -the SEC include Florida State and Memphis State. The expansion of the league is expected to be discussed at a conference meeting Dec. 2 in Birmingham. At least seven schools must be in favor of adding another school for it to be admitted. Meanwhile, Jones told The State that "no specific action has been taken, either on our part or by the Southeastern Conference. We will in vestigate all possibilities, but this(Dietzel's statement) is no conscious thrust or bid for us to receive a bid to join.'. New O Brings BY STEVE PARKER Sports Editor It seems odd to imagine that a switch from *a passing, professional oriented offense, such as Carolina used last season, to the rush-oriented veer offense that the Gamecocks will employ this campaign could ever serve to increase excitement. But for Carolina that seems to be just the situation. Head Coach Paul Dietzel's decision to alter offens,ive attacks came as a result of last year's futile attempts with the pro style. Dietzel had a gifted quarterback in Bill Troup, whose arm was certainly adequate to guide the aerial attaCk. And Dietzel had two wide receivers who were destined to be draf,ed by the pros. But the remaining ingredient in that attack was obviously absent as the pass blocking was woefully weak. The missing third ingredient contributed significantly to USC's 4-7slate. Gone are Troup and the wide I receivers, so Dietzel finds himself i with none of the necessities of the 4 pro offense. Going with the talent 4 left, Dietzel had but one obvious i option -- the veer. I Carolina's coach, ' now entering his eighth year at the Gamecock I helm, expressed general I dissatisfaction with the pro offense ( in explaining his decision to change. "Too many things can go I wrong with the pro attack. There are just too many things I don't like about it. It's too calm, too calculating. There's a lot more f excitement to the veer. Z "Our experience with the pro r offense certainly influenced in s going to the veer. "Your attack must fit with your z personnel," explained Dietzel, I "And the veer fits our's well.'' Carolina does feature a trio of I quarterbacks who obviously have f gifted running ability. Currently c number one at the quarterback slot s is sophomore Jeff Grantz, a sen- r sation as the freshman quar- I terback last year. Grantz did see varsity action last LUM'S Dra/ Roas Fish OPEN 11:00 A 2005 Gr In Fii ---------- ffense Hope year, and in at least one case he outclassed quarterbacks Troup and Dobby Grossman. In the Aosing minutes of a loss to Virginia Tech Grantz rallied Carolina to a late score against the Gobblers' replacement squad that iad played much of the second lalf. "I don't think we've had any juarterback who runs as well as he loes,"Dietzel said, aftercon ;idering the possibilities and even >ffering the name of Tommy Sugg JEFF GRANTZ ...running the show' Backing up Grantz are 3rossman and Lyn Rushing. rossman was the starter hroughout much of his sophomore eason. It was his scrambling kbility that sparked some life into .arolina's offense to keep the eason from being a dismal ailure. Grossman's running ability kept he defenses honest and permitted iim the extra time to pass that ,arolina's offensive line could not. Rushing features more inex >erience than does sophomore rantz, but the senior backup has xhibited strong talent in practice. The quarterback is not the only actor in the veer of course. Of lmost equal importance are the unning backs. For the first time ince Dickie Harris carried the ball gainst Wake Forest two years go, Carolina appears to have iotential breakaway threats. Tom Zipperly returns to the iackfield, where he starred for the rosh two seasons ago, after a year >f displacement in the defensive econdary. Zipperly set fresh - nan rushing records which were roken last season by Russ lackson. (See FOOTBALL, Page 19) SPECIA L Ii..*. Nt Beer t Beef &Chips M 'TEL 12:00 PM Ioon.-Sat. 'een Street we Points