University of South Carolina Libraries
Maybe it is for the best that the Gamecocks got beat so decisively last Saturday. ( For one thing, they can't get any worse. In other words, no matter what hannens this week aeainst ' Western Michigan, the are almost assured of improvement. Another, more important reason is based On past history. Since head coach Jim Carlen has been at Carolina, his teams have had a history of starting out strong, only to fold in late October and early November. PERHAPS THINGS will be different this season. By starting A. 1__ it /-I 1 inn pooriy, me oamecocKS can now improve gradually and hopefully reach a peak about the time they play Georgia, Notre Dame and N.C. State. That, of course, is to say that the players themselves were at fault for the loss at Kenan Stadium. While several of the key players on the team had off-davs. the blame should not fall completely upon those who took the field Saturday under the Garnet and Black banner. First, North Carolina has an excellent team; much better than anyone gave them credit for. But ( second and most importantly, the USC offensive strategy has | remained one of the most predictable in the nation. Prior to the season, it was promised that Carolina would be more versatile on onense in lif/a. However, in the season opener, the Gamecocks relied on the same "run up the middle, run wide, pass short to the sideline and punt" offense that has been in existance here since anyone can remember. SURE, THE conservative strategy can be blamed on the loss of 900-yard rusher Johnnie Wright. But standing on the sidelines Saturday was Spencer Clark, a man who led USC in rushing with over 700 yards just two years ago. His presence in the line-up would nave unaouDieaiy maae cne Gamecocks a more versatile offensive team by adding more speed in the backfield and by taking some of the pressure off of fullback George Rogers. According to the final official statistics of Saturday's game, Clark never touched the football. Another problem against UNC was the passing game. Quarterback Gary Harper was given excellent protection all afternoon by his inexperienced offensive line, but still completed only nine of 25 passes for just 99 yards. Harper is a better thrower than those numbers seem to indicate. His problems Saturday came as a direct result of the poor play selection. IN HIS post-game comments, Carlen said his team "threw too much." This is partially true. In reality, Carolina threw too much on third and long and not enough on first and second downs. Also, there was no deception in the USC pass plays Saturday. Not once was a play-fake or a roll-out ULa * ? ? uscu. a iic uBHictocivs employed their familiar straight drop back pass when everyone was waiting for it for the entire game. Not surprisingly, they weren't very successful. As was the case with Clark, the .v name of Willie Scott was conspicuously missing from the final statistics. Although he considered by many to be one of the top tight ends in the south, he was not used at all against the Tar Heels. of his ftizp ftneerl and good hands, he could add an important new dimension to USC's outdated offensive strategy if they would only get him the ball. Ob'.If 'V' virarOv that dimension is being wasted. GAMECOCK NOTES: Football coach Jim Carton will speak to the student body tonight at the McBryde Quadrangle. He will speak about the upcoming game against! Western Michigan and the ; remainder of the Gamecocks schedule. The event, which was originally scheduled for last week, will begin at 7 p.m. It is open to the public and is free of charge. In case of rain, the coach will speak in the Russell House Ballroom... Student tickets for the Western Michigan game will be distributed begining this morning at 8 a.m. at the Russell House. Students having social secruity numbers ending in a 0 or 1 will have first pick-up. niotrihiifinn will run until i-llin m or until all the tickets are gone.'' And what ever happened to the band's tickets for the UNC game? For those who weren't at Kenan Stadium, the USC band sat in bleachers below the grandstand near the running track. Band members couldn't see the game over a large cyclone fence and the massive football players on the bench in front of them. What is worse is that from such a low vantage point, the Gamecock musicians could not be heard by the thousands of Carolina supporters who made the trip up to Chapel Hill. Another problem the band was forced to cope with had to do with a couple of considerate security guards. It seems that these rent-acops wouldn't open a gate to let the band onto the field. In order to take the field, they were forced to scale the fence, instruments and all. Nothing like that good ?ld Tar Heel hospitality. I Thursday, ithe towns I Tickets nc |j Columbia Christian | Zondervan Bool 1 Further Tick( v^PERSOI^UL^^EVE V Counseling and Hum A anni S ASSERTIVE TRAININ< 7 SEMINAR V Learn to be positive about yov jl not passive or aggressive. X COPING WITH LONELI / Learn to deal with loneliness c ij SELF HYPNOSIS A Learn self-hypnosis and the pi 5 FREE for I a Group size limit a Phone I V f/-vr ft irthor lr?frvrrvrafi/"?r* ? f} iwi iv.jiuiv/1 it ih;i i i kjuv'i i < 4 the group of your choic* \ come to room 2C)3 Pen jv to fill out the participant A you a space. V ?***?*#4V.'r x (+ **** ?**-* j||[^BBS3HBHB^g^ IB R 'WHmuBp 1sB&BP^Rwg^ JB ImPsJB^u -- jHp1^ ' alti- : joa&m f ^E^^Sog s-w^ <> c^x^ .^JBHi^S fOAi onW fine i/i/iuw/ |%rr/ hum v?ui; scramble for a tumble In i during last Saturday's game t P"* AIM M HALL Y TI*?iaA#lMIf OAMA 40 iiiuisuajr, oofJi. i>i 9 p.m. on the Fraternity Quad NEW CHEERS, CHANTS, AND COMPETITIONS ^ 53yHgpV? JS Sept^7t^^| HIP-7:30p.m.| >w available at: j Supply Living Vine M ;store (Columbia Mall) ji ?t Info ?252 8895 J LOPMENT CENTER^ f the I an Development Centers A ounces: v > /I II IM A V DATD1WTI A a rvi -i irself and how to be assertive and j NESS Dnstructlvely. C inclples of auto-suggestion. \ JSC students. ( ed to sign up early. ^ 777-5223 ( jnd-or reserving a space in Or: ^ rileton Bkig. (next to NBSC) ( forms which will guarantee * jKBHHBBF^SHS Y Harper (10) Carolina. The Q he backfleld this Saturday at igainst North Stadium. anttiTo Friday, Se 2320 Rose (At the Intersectic Featuring: Ivbbi Steak ) (Steak, Potato, So | 2 pieces of GarlL 1. whhmom pmsfl Part or full time. jgjpg Flexible hours and da} mm Should be able to won or Saturday. Hourly wage plus commissions and tips. nw> Apply in person after ^ I at 1124 Devine Street ) BbbBmT*100^ 2568151 i delivery s person* I???? # . ? ^:^:-iMXK^ '^b^zrtiiirk;* -r:'"' '.'7T^r<^':-?~*W&^~d&Z%l>'.1 p p:^ Ru?.^ I^M^AHCSK amecocks return to action 7 o.m. at the Wllllame-Brlce pt, 14 )UR 5-9 ?wood Dr. in of Harden St.) a's Famous ; Sandwich '"itaQ $2.89 itorl M fs. j k Friday j \ :00pm BBHBB 11 f ! J I