University of South Carolina Libraries
Runage By Mike Boykin Gamvcock Staff wrltar USC punter Max Runager who finished tenth in the nation and set a new school record last season averaging 42.8 yards a kick has his eyes set on improvement for both himself and the team this season. "I would like to beat last year's record and average 44 yards a kick this season and also increase my hang time to 4.5 seconds," Runager said. "I worked hard in the off season. 1 ran a lot and lifted weights to increase my strength and I think it will pay off," he added. Runager attributes his past success to good form and leg flexability. "I'm not like some of the other punters that can depend on strength for success. Russell Erxleben (Texas) and Jim Miller (Mississippi) don't always seem to follow through and yet they still get off a great punt. I have to have a high extension of my right leg or good follow through to be consistently successful," Runager said. Ironically Runager didn't start punting until his senior year in high school. "It's kind of funny because during mv soohomore and iunior seasons I tried out for punter and didn't make it," he remarked. "The coaches said I took too long to get the ball off, so instead of punting I snapped for punts." "My senior year I did punt and decided that I would try and walkon at Carolina my freshman year and I was fortunate that coach Carlen gave me the opportunity," Runager said. KUNAGER HAS COME a long way since his initial days as a nonscholarship player. Last season's efforts landed Runager a spot on all-state team and also a berth on the all-south Independent squad. This season Runager has been listed on several preseason All Klegan low country okra mushrooms saute juicy New York ' a view of the city and more?Frida The of Cai Make sure uou i LTop. 18th jloort Call 777-8198J r excells America teams, but he doesn't plan on letting the publicity ruin his final campaign with the Gamecocks. i Know I've gotten a lot ot publicity but I don't plan on letting it go to my head," Runager said. "I've seen a lot of guys have great Mfi Hfe. :i^H| Ruiiaji junior years and then falter after receiving individual recognition. I've waited a long time for my senior year and I plan to make the hpct nf it " 1? lino nor caiH ?'% v* kvt m. nuiiugvi oaiu. The Gamecock punting team allowed only 90 yards in punt . returns last fall. That figure ranks . ? / ^ i -a -w-u I] V JLSHUUt* vegetable soup, ed in pure butter, Hrip steak, at night?all this ly evenings. Top rolina have a place at the r si L i >/ lAipswne dorm. cor reservations. with yar< among the nation's best in that category. "Our specialty teams give excellent effort and play with a lot of enthusiasm," boasted Kunager. "Our coverage people have a lot of speed and will really hit you and I feel we can even lower the mark of ' ^ . MMvm,ij i;111'i),'11 |ii ij", 11 \ ? ?::: >: ifSxXg' ' ^Wrii '' "^B Stephen McCormack ? GAMECOCK ;er last season," he said. Another indication of the excellent punt coverage is the fact that 11 times last fall the Gamecocks pinned their opponents inside the ten yard line. "LAST YEAR I got a lot of lucky _k (DOUBLE FIBERGL BELTED WHITEWA UNIROYAL FASTRAK mjm A76-13 hmhh Cgpr tubotan. ph F.E.T. and tta your oar. I I sua BH-1 ClOSIOOT Quonfity Siie/Peseriotfc _7 FR78-15 Bloc 5_ P20S/70RU 6 P195fr70R13 _J2_ HR78-14RW1 Z__ FR78-1S RWL 4 PR78-14 RWI A PR78-1S fee 7 Land Trac 10 (Tube Type) 1 (Prkti I rid. I I ROY# 1 & RADI I 1401 Gervais iage, hai bounces inside the ten," Runager admitted. "Last year I could kick the ball high and let the coverage run and down it, but this season we'll have an alternative. With the new rule which says that all missed field goals from outside the 40 yard line will be returned to the original line of scrimmage, I've worked hard on being able to hit the corners," he explained. Rated highly by professional scouts, Runager admits that playing for pay would be like a dream come true. But for now he has itaore important things to take utir ui. "We have only ten seniors on this year's squad so we're all trying to provide as much leadership as possible," Runager said. "There's a lot of talent on this team and if we _ can put two halves together 1 think "World's Sec s*sr r| 14110?rv?is St. 1 (Country Fried Steak 2 vegetables FMtUr?d ASS- 1'sm WHOi MX I I <* C78-14 32.00 $1.97 E78-14 35.00 2.1S n.'vti \ A * a ?A ** J<< w? SI-1 ? JQ.JU ^.4/ G78-15 38.00 2.55 H78-14 39.50 2.70 H78-15 39.50 2.77 5X, 178-15 42.50 3.05 ?Off AipnoMpuUIandlwelvouroa ??? rEo pft-6 I na< SHOALS gg|j on Prict QC k Bltw $33.50 Bl?w 39 9$ Replo mmn 39.95 ,|n*pe< Bjgm 50.se reor 1 torn 49.03 comP BUm <0.13 * Blfnr. 34.50 REMEt 115 RWt 44.62 DISC ' ?d. Tax) 1 Th il TIRE CO. IATOR SERVICE St. (Next to S&S Cafeteria hone, 799-9060 tig time we will win a lot of games. Last year things just didn't work out and we're all anxious to prove we're a better team. "This being my senior year I'd litrA n cpncnn f r* rflmomKoi? Carolina hasn't won eight games in modern history and I think this could be the year," he said. FURMAN HEAD COACH Dick Sheridan coached Runager in high school in Orangeburg and the USC punter had nothing but praise for the Paladin head man. "Coach Sheridan is a fine coach and he can really get a team fired up. This will probably be their biggest game of the year so I know they'll be skyhigh. Some people might think we'll overlook Fur man but I think we'll be ready to play," Runager said. jasF J S.M AIM INC SOON!! ond-Beit Taste Treat" fc-f eite3rl.?,a> I I Richland Mall 1 H g 11-1: IS 4 4:00-1!? f jg? A ? 4 O B MWT | 4-io mHH' nfciimmBn n & front end safety checkB| t Set camber, caster H f Set toe-in, toe-out |ig| ; Check steering jjjj ) Road test the car $i 195 m 1 I VANS J $17*95 1.n? JB|j UMCE wire B ce both front disc pods 111 *t calipers, rotors, mm am KHK Drakes. Sofety-checlc |||1 lete broke system WBER YOUR STUDENTB ? a ? ^ a ?w ? ? icgil? .VUN I ? 57o Uhh M JESE SALE PRICES!! H I TERMS p] AVAILABLE K] OPEN: p 8-5 Mon.-Fri. M 8-12 m Saturday p|j