Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Swarming Defense Oklahoma State's James Cowins is stopped fnr no nairt hu 11.QP rlafanHarc Rnhart Darlnfta (24), Ed Baxley (50) and Mark Bridges (20). Defensive ba< against OSU By Mike Chibbaro Gamecock Staff Writar The defensive secondary of USC's football team faced so far this year against Oklahoma State. When the ga was clear that the Gamecock defensive backs had pass flying colors. Coming into Saturday's game with USC, the Cowl heavily on their aerial attack to move the football a ponents. OSU's explosive passing was directed by quarterback, Harold Bailey. The Cowboy quarterback h of 83 passes and had thrown only one interception pri< contest. _ . . ... su iNAi tKALLY me uamecocKs Knew what tney woi when the Cowboys came to town, and they were well pi opponents arrival. "We worked real hard all week because we knew t would come in here and throw the ball," commented nerback, Mark Bridges. "We had to respect the thr Rnilpv ho ic on AVnallont nlinntnnUnnlr ' ' wvvuuuv IIV IO oil VAV^JH.11L IfUCll ICl UCIVJIY. Andy Hastings, who plays the other cornerback Gamecocks, echoed the sentiments of Bridges. "We wc getting ready for them (OSU) and I think we did a goo said. "We kept them from getting the long pass on us j real key." Both Hastings and Bridges made key interc* Gamecocks in the third quarter of the game. In an extra effort to combat the Cowboy's passing ? ployed a special pass defensive. In passing situations, would use six defensive backs and rush only three lir "prevent defense" proved to be effective for USC, espe stages of the game. "I thought the new defense worked real well foi remarked. "It really saved the game for us at the end." ii ? i? - ? ..... ... . - t i.?vc w a team mat mrows a lot because it ke toes back there," Bridges explained. "A game like this improve also." Hastings noted similar advantages. "I'd rather play (OSU) because it makes us a better football team," H; /, game like tonight gives us confidence in ourselves a improve. ' Although OSU compiled 184 yards passing against 1 was not indicative of the performance by USC's seconc total in its proper context, one must assess that OSU t times and completed only 12 of those. Their longest night went for 23 yards. , ALONG WITH the outstanding play of cornerback 1 Bridges,safeties, Pat Bowen and Robert Perlotte turi formances in the defensive backfield for the Gamecock; A quick glance at the remaining games on USC's scY to realize the OSU was not the only pass-orientec Gamecocks will encounter this season. Florida State, 1 UnttA nil att/lAMAl4/\?ainM^l 4I*A W VYdllC ruicsi iiovc an oiiwntu iciiuciiv.ica luwaiu uic y fall and they will present a definite challenge for the j secondary. V But if the seconary's performance against OSU wa then it seems quite possible that they will be albe to any future challenges that might come their way. ? - * Jgw gjfS n mt. m i DaveRoback ? GAMECOCK C Carolina's defense allowed only three v Cowboy first downs in the second half of S Saturday's game. e F cks pass test I aerial attack \ its toughest test was 3oys had relied ^HH^HhBHBH|^BR gainst their op- H|HH|^HHHBP|g^ | multi talented ad completed 41 >r to Saturday's lid be up against -epared for their U( ?U*?, /ACTT\ Gamecock corowing ability of ?>, '< position for the <H >rked extra hard 1m ,. ., yv:;\-^ v '? ^-^.y:; :-j^.; d job," Hastings v '' md that was the ^ ^V, options for the C^ljaH it tack, USC em- JB-Tl vn^ uaiuctVA-i\3 v myL /oung Gamecock USC running back George R nSt and defeat ^""n ' ' "'li""^ Steve Dorsey (34) end Ben Cori ' * lomecoming win t ^ i pleases oar ten By Michell Burchette Gamecock Staff Writer Providing a much needed lift to a tragic Homecoming weekend, the arolina Gamecocks pulled out a 23-16 victory over Oklahoma State, leasing a crowd of over 56,000 at Williams-Brice Stadium, Saturday lght. "Our defense played well and our offense did about what it had to do - ? ? at? c ? a.i?ii m tion i 1 t i j _ r ) win me iooiuan game, usl neau eoacn Jim v^anen saiu 01 111s jam's fourth victory this season. "I'm happy with the win." The win, however, was not a clear-cut one. On the opening kickoff, ght end Willie Scott saved Carolina by recovering a USC kick-off eturn fumble. After that the pattern was set; the Gamecocks would egain control just when they were on the brink of disaster all evening >ng. ON OKLAHOMA State's first possession of the game, Carolina llowed the Cowboys to march to the USC 14 before linebacker Scott /ade forced Cowboy quarterback Harold Bailey to miss a crucial third own pass. Instead of grabbing the touchdown, the visitors settled for a Ield goal to go up by three. Only five minutes later, the Gamecocks were redeeming themselves nee more. This time the stage was set by a George Rogers fumble at he Cowboy's 31-yard line. Two downs later, however, a hard hit by Carolina defensive end Phil Cllis jolted the ball from the hands of State's Ed Smith. Andy Hastings yas there to pick up the fumble for USC on the Cowboy 29. Following the recovery, Rogers took a pitch from Harper and printed 17 yards to give Carolina a first down at State's 12. Two more uns by Rogers and the Gamecocks were on the board with a touchlown. Gaining momentum from the score, the Carolina defense held State vithin their own 12 and forced Kris Lundgaard to punt the ball away for i 1 ne ^owouys. HORACE SMITH'S 11 yard return set up a first down at State's 28 vhich eventually led to an Eddie Leopard field goal. The second quarter didn't go as well for the Gamecocks. Oklahoma Itate received the ball with 13 minutes left in the half and kept it for *U_4 i: AL-- <-1 1 * ? >5iu iiimuica. L/uimg iiicii unit; uie v^uwooys marcnea uu yaras in lb >lays, setting up a one-yard touchdown run by Bailey to tie the score. Once again disaster struck the Gamecocks. This time with only 25 econds remaining in the half. A Rogers fumble at the Gamecock 24 set ip another Colin Ankerson field goal to put Oklahoma ahead 13-10 with a hree-point half time lead. Commenting on Roger's sudden case of butterfingers, Carlen said, 1T'rr> nnt coiiofio/t mifli Viin f i*v>><n/l 1 "?* *>--1 'A' 1 HI HUl JUIIJIILU Willi 1115 1 UlllUiCo dllU VJrVUI gU KllUWh U1HI. ?>Ul, 11 S iard to get mad at him when he gains 165 yards and plays as hard as he lid." At the outset of the second half it was clearly time sm USC, page 14 m| 11 Mli 11JB v jB SllllljSF IwKHI^MsBsii^^iBMHMaBKBaCT^^^e ^IvMWHfffTlB * r; - vilr !'"V- Acflr pilK mm m? B ' ^9ni| ? W-GAS \ogers busts who ranks as one of the top five rushers In the 1 by blockers nation, gained 165 yards In leading the nett. Rogers, Gamecocks to a homecoming victory.