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Size no to USC's By ANN ROSS Gamecock Staff Writer The honor of being collegiate football's smallest regular player will pass to someone else after this season when C.A. Wilson's playing days for Carolina end. Wilson, a senior defensive back, has held that distinction both of the last two seasons. Wilson's career, since he first started playing on dirt streets against some big tough com petition has seen him overcome the doubts of many. After enjoying success as a football player in junior high his coaches thought him too small to play high school ball. The 5-9, M9 frame he sports as a senior in college is about the same size he took into high school. With his ability and forceful performances he moved into a starting running back position for Rtimter High School and earned All-State honors. His brilliant high school play earned him several scholarship offers and he chose Carolina. Wilson did an excellent job as wide receiver for the freshman team. During his sophmore and junior years he was. a varsity defense back working under Jerry Stovall whom Wilson credits for much; he's learned. The transition from high school to college entailed a lot of routining and mental conditioning for Wilson. But the switch from frosh ball to varsity was not As demanding. The defense was in a rebuilding stage and he got a chance in the secondary. The greatest aspect of change was the 50,000 people- "Wow, it was a big difference." Now, Wilson anticipates his best season as cornerback. "When I meet a lot of people and they ask me if I'm interested ir1 sports and I say I play football they don't believe me. Especially girls, they say, "What do you do run track?' And other football players look at me funny. When I tackle them they say "I let you tackle me. Last year, even though USC's defense was talented, there were some problems. A lot of the defense suffered injuries. Wilsor thinks the defense this year is wel balanced with good depth. "The lineback -, like Gary Mott anc Bill Cregar, are strong. Withou them the secondary would not bE much." Wilson also commented oz the depth in the secondary, "Henry Laws, left corner back, Bil Courrier, safety and Tom Zipperl: all have experience. "A good defense is one that hold teams to a little less than wha other people might say is respectable score." Carolina has a new defensiv< coach this year, Sam Mitchell from Auburn. For the pass sevel * BRAZIER FREE with this coupon foot long super chili cheese dog offer good thru Oct. 31 On ly at 136 Rosewond Dr )roblem Wilson -C. A. WILSON ...smallest years he has coached teams that went to a bowl and Wilson hopes his record continues. Players differ in their reaction to a game and Wilson feels like this: "I getpersonal satisfaction to know I can contribute to a win. I feel bad when I make a mistake. I'm the type of guy if I want to do something I want to do the best. The main thing is I want to win. When you do something wrong you are hurting the team as a whole, it gives you an extra something to try. harder. On the secondary you mess up and it is noticed. There is extra pressure back there. "Being on the team is real togetherness,"Wilson said. "We really get along and I really like that. Everybody is just crazy. They have a lot of different at titudes. Like, I'm a black man but they respect a man for what he is, what his capabilities are. You get to meet a lot of people and travel." DIME Apparel for TALL i Extra Points I We are kicking off the f< an exciting collection signed especially for tl man. Winners for ca! warmth in any man's to see our entire selectic score. Added Dimens For the man with Se a fashinn "Complete Service toi E PALMETTOHAR -- PHONE JERRY HE DOWNTOWN IN THE ARI POW EL. 805, HUGER 2424MAiLL 253-681-4 2 56 1 W N ES SPiRiTS BACK TO CO L ebfr-aumidch Beaujo al (Leoni Lambrusco Medoc (Leonar sabel Rose. Budweiser R.0Io inrg Rock Enjoy tese specic Capitol Square Mall Hwy. 378 W. Columbia Daily 10-6 Friday 10-9 Ph. 252-7613 Z10Ls) CapitolmfortrepMal ios Ltd. filOK TYLING STUDIO Men and Women" IDRIX -- 256-2445 - 7ADE MALL -SUIT #11 'S-LIQU-OR. -MART NOIOD 4718 FOREST Df 078 782 3284 EER PARTY SUPPLiES1 LEGE SPEiALS 1.69 Jrdc Kreusch). 1.89 1.59 KreUsch) 1.89 .89 6.35 c's 4.20 c s s wh IIe suppl y1asts / A