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Beginning of a new era It has been almost a month since the Gamecocks took it on the chin at the Hall of Fame Bowl in Birmingham, and by now, most Carolina fans are over the initial disappointment of the 24-14 loss to Missouri. They are now able to look more obiectivelv at what has turned nut tn be the most successful football season in the school's history. It was one in which many milestones were reached. Prior to the first game, head coach Jim Carlen announced that he had set three goals for his team. These goals were to improve each week, to win at least eight games and to earn a post-season bowl trip. These seemed a bit challenging, but Carlen was confident that his team could accomplish all of them. UIG MA\IV 1 1 U ?? * * " iumi x m nivo laugneu iiuwever, wnen U5U was snui-out 28-0 in the season opener at North Carolina. They accused the coach of overestimating the talent of his ballclub. But as the old cliche goes ? he who laughs last laughs best, and in this case Carlen and his Gamecocks got the final word when they recorded their eighth win twelve weeks later against Clemson. The mere fact that USC won eight games is an accomplishment in itself, since no other Carolina team had previously done so against collegiate competition. It is the way that this team reached those new heights that sets it apart from any other Gamecock team before it. More than once they were faced with adversity, and each time they were able to handle it with poise and confidence. Even after Carlen's contract dispute, a crushing loss to the Tar Heels and the death of Scott Sinclair, the Gamecocks were still able to rebound with five consecutive victories. EXCEPT FOR ONF lansp nn th#? rnnH acroincf ? ^ v.. ?.?w vrv?V> JL IV* 1UU U tVx , UOV/ IVC^l improving as Carlen had hoped. The season came to a successful close as the Gamecocks put forth their best effort of the season in a 13-9 win over arch-rival Clemson. A week earlier, Carolina's players accepted a bid to play in the third annual Hall of Fame Bowl and became only the fourth team in the school's history to participate in post-season play. With all of their coach's goals already accomplished, the Gamecocks headed for Birmingham and t.hp roward fnr a coacnn ?-> OVUOVII. THREE CRUCIAL MISTAKES Right from the opening kickoff, it appeared as if everything would go Carolina's way. Starting at their own 31-yard line, the Gamecocks used only four minutes and 11 plays to drive the length of the field for a touchdown. So awesome was USC's attack, that not once did thev huddle. The score remained 6-0 (the extra point try failed) until the second quarter when Missouri closed to within three points with a 22-yard field goal. It was at this point however, that USC made the first of three crucial errors which eventually cost them the ballgame. Receiving the ensuing kickoff at his own two yard-line, Horace Smith started up the middle and then cut to his left on the return. When the GamPPOfk rprpivpr rpnr>hpH tho 90.varH lino ho nine hif hoi-r) K*? mu j m* vi <itiv, ?*v *r?o mt nut u wjr cio Missouri defender and coughed up the football. One play later, the Tigers took a lead they would hold for the remainder of the game on a long touchdown pass. THE SECOND CRITICAL mistake came moments before the halftime intermission. Trailing 17-6 with 2:06 to play in the half, Carolina was able to regain some of the offensive punch it displayed on the opening drive. With 14 seconds remaining, the Gamecocks found themselves in a first and coal situation on th#? ninp.varH lin*? with timo out left. But thanks to some questionable strategy and a badly missed field goal attempt, the Gamecocks watched the Legion Field clock run out with nothing to show for their efforts except their one remaining time out. See Bowl, page 24 [l Tho Mnr+h Paro ixtfiuy ~ I ^ I ?UI II I ? $ quality gear | ^ South Carol inn's only complete wilderness outfitter I CD M I'i ^ j? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ?^ j; * [30% off All Ski Gloves! 1 3 i 91 I . 1 ft* 1 * !$ 2.50!OTf Any Day Pack, ? 4-? 1 1 , ' | 35' o I ' H -rS. O 1 _ | Q OQ I Jy Bring This Coupon J oo j a I 1 ' 5 i. s? cr <g Store Hours: 10-6:30 Mon.-Fri. > , 10-6 Sat. Phone: 799-7571 ^AlpimH^roductsj^ Women" From page 2 1 Brown cited Evelyn Johnson, Parker and Walling as key players in the game. "All three had super ballgames," she said. Evelyn Johnson, high scorer with 21 points and five rebounds, said her overall game was not as effective as she would like. "I played good offensively," she said, "but I just didn't play as well defensively. I need a little more work on my defense." Parker, coming off the bench to contribute 13 points and three rebounds, cited concentration as an important factor in her play. "I got intense before the hnllrtnniA IH" ~l * T J: J _ - ' ..... uaugajuc. n. ? dwui nine i uiu surneimng, ana i mink I did my share tonight." SENIOR CYNTHIA Jacobs had nine points and nine rebounds and sophomore Sheila Foster pulled down nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Kris McDonald led Auburn scorers with 15 points, coming off the bench in the second half to attempt to rally her team. Auburn, ineffective from the foul line and shooting only 31 percent from the floor, could onlv cut the lead to 19 points before USC increased the lead to 30 points with 2:24 remaining in the game. "Auburn's been known to come back from 20-point deficits and win ballgames," Brown said. "They're a young ball club with a new coach this year. We did handle them a lot easier than I thought we could." Lady Gamecock coach Pam Parsons talks to forward Becky Parker during a time-out during tjeu wT at Catalooche* Take this coupon with you to Cataloochee Area and ski all day, any day MondayThursday, for only $10.00! ($6 lift ticket and $4 equipment rental.) Enjoy the free, open feeling of uncrowded skiing at this special rate at > Cataloochee, in Maggie Valley, NC. ^ataioocnee nas o slopes ana trails, beginner to expert? A longest run 5300 ft.; vertical drop 740 ft. Three lifts (chair, T-bar and rope), plus a full * ranno of rental v equipment for all levels of ability. ' . Jr., Awmtmmm Mentioning Auburn's comeback ability. Jacobs said the team realized the importance of playing a good game. "We had to come out the second half and play just as tough as we did the first half." BKOWN SAII) the team needed an easier game to loosen up from the struggle against ninth ranked Chaney State on Jan. 9, which USC lost 60-57. "I think they were a little more relaxed today, although we had to play an aggressive type defense the whole time." Over the break the Lady Gamecocks defeated 1 _i - ? ? ? - - - iviuruciair on Jan. 7 oy a score of 77-64. Montclair had previously been beaten only once in five years on their home court. USC also beat the 17th ranked Lady Wildcats of Kentucky in holiday play on Jan. 3 in Columbia. The Lady Gamecocks defeated them by 20 points in what Brown termed "one of our best games of the season. It was definitely the most physical ballgame." ine l^aay uamecocks will travel to Raleigh, N.C. Jan. 15 to take on N.C. State which is ranked in the top ten. According to Brown, the game should be a struggle much like last year's battle. "We lost last year by eight points up there in a game that was real tough. They didn't lose any of their kev Dlavers. I ' expect the same type of game." "vj^?M00Mih . :, pp- % a 77-50 win over Auburn. Cheryl Autry looks on. 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