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*^^r ** * ^P/jfjB11 111 1 yf ^Ef " r 111 wiffi <t||:> Furman's Chris Buono grabs Johnnie m#. ^^^I^mBKS flBjf ^ ... But Wright si ' -- ? ,_jk- ^mXmKW )Mt rw+WM mrna^rmmrmt CZh* ^mkJH RM^hB /: ' .^iWtei HH 1?- --"' sk~I C^lll^B^BiE^ ^SBR?'^ jffi ^T ~: -^^^^^^^WPIBIBIIIIIIJBBB , .,. ' . ' . >.. :, . ....:, ,. .: : , : . : . ... , :: . ., ' - : ,W'- : , &.: ' <': :;. Wright's leg... j||f Milol }&*^** laSwKp .'i'f^BF^qme-?r^-'-'", JBl ips his grip and cuts past Russell Gambrell, below. ttoptom McCcrmack ? OAMICOCK Kunning game shells Paladins By Brett Friedlander Asst. Sport* Editor Carolina's strong-running game, led by Johnnie Wright, George Rogers and Spencer Clark, ran up 284 yards and helped destroy an outmanned Furman team 45-10 Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium. 1 'TVl 1Q ic tho Koof rtrnnn a# mitinlno T ' ? 1 1 1 *' * * i Aiaav aw vaav mvov gl vup ui t uiiuiu^ uatiiB i ve ever naa, ana rve naa some good ones," a pleased Head Coach Jim Carlen said. However, Carlen was quick to point out his disappointment over the way his team ran through the middle. Using a conservative offense in the first half, the Gamecocks were able to amount only one sustained scoring drive. But USC was able to capitalize on some early Furman mistakes to go into the locker room with a 17-7 halftime advantage. Rogers scored the first of his two touchdowns just 2:23 into the game after the defense caused a Furman turnover at the visitors' 3 yard line. ON CAROLINA'S next possession, quarterback Garry Harper led his team on a 12 play, 75-yard drive that took up almost seven minutes. In p me ciiive, tne liamecocks converted two third down situations with the big play coming on a 24 yard run by Wright. Wright, who completed the drive with a five yard sweep into the end zone, said "We had to take what they gave us. We had good success running to the outside, but the blocking of the offensive line is what held us together." Wright was the leading ground gainer for Carolina with 82 yards on 15 carries. Rogers had 51 yards, Clark had 47 and newcomer James McKie contributed 56, including a 48 yard touchdown gallop on the final play of the game. IN THE SECOND half, Carlen turned his young offense loose. Led by the running of Clark and Rogers and a 17-yard pass from Harper to flanker Zion McKinney, USC drove 68 yards in only five plays to extend their lead to 24-7. { According to Rogers, the big difference in this year's offense is the come-back of McKinney. "Zion does it all," he said. "With him healthy our offense has a lot more variety. He opens up the running game because the defense always has to be aware of him." After the USC defense forced Furman to punt on a fourth and 19 play, the Gamecock offense promptly marched 55 yards for another score. T? r it- a? " ... - ... me luuxui quarter, i^anen put in his second team. Even they showed no mercy to the outmanned Paladins. Behind the running and passing of back-up quarterback Skip Ramsey, the Gamecocks scored again to run their lead to 38-7. Furman was able to manage a field goal with 37 seconds remaining, but use was not finished. See BACKS PAGE 16 TTO1*1 ? uou s KicKer vital to overall game plan By Steve Riddell oimicocK staff writer The kicking game has become an integral part of college football in the last few years. Specialists have taken over the kicking chores. The days of the talented athlete who plays tailback, linebacker, and also kicks the football are gone forever. Any football coach will tell you that the kicking game can make the difference in a close ballgame. Puntpr Mav Runnc* . ^ _ ...v?k ivvuiugvi cailU Eddie Leopard showed Carolina fans that they may make a difference for Carolina this year. The kicking game may not have been the key to Carolina's 45-10 romp over Furman, but it surely played an important part in the victory. The specialty teams have improved at Carolina in the past few years. Punter Max Runager explained that "special teams are Coach Carlen's pet peave." He has really tried to drill them into our heads." RlinaffPr's firol lL - " ' ?? uciuiueu me raiaoms in at their own three yard line. Two plays later, Furman running back Mark Stowers fumbled the football. Carolina recovered the fumble and went on to score. The early touchdown set the tempo for the rest of the game. RUNAGER PUNTED fiv? " ? * v....^o iui a tn.z yaru average. He was happy with his performance and was especially pleased with his first punt of the season. "It turned my game around. I think it set the tempo for the game." See KICKERS, page 16