The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, January 14, 1980, Page Page 23, Image 23
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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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had to play an aggressive type defense the whole
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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."
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