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Trojans ranked fourth, Gar Robinson <^Mtm^w-^^mSSStK ^ >::-->::i3S Wi mti\ iiil H ^?S^B slBlli F3& ~~-r-';- V'^-*-y^fi^.j^BBc^Bri;"::':-:-^BBB^^MHH^flS|^feik:::.: Z^4^i:Ci? WilMKK .'; -. * ll^SPi? ^. fKg52S ft ^^p'vjP | mmmmmm^MS&&\.. . - ! Jfc> i I-r\-" .-! -~ T'-^-^,"-T --, -?^*H|^^^|p:>::::: -I""." _T^ ~ *: ?T~- ~?L ~~ I' ' i J _ f v: ;--Sr?) iMKpll^l? . < ^fcf.s>"^=;i HonHnui jiipp^^pM rP^!3???HIHs^^mH^5B::^^H^B9^H^HaHH?^ii:* ncH Southern Cmihood coach John Robinson |,i ' 'j'-~~~'' . *7- -\it,'J'' ? Hps Featured in Sports llh USC running back George Rogers will be (eatu Sports Illustrated. Roaers. an All-American last season when he c only to Heisman winner Charles White of Southei writer Mike De/nagro's "The Best Runner Arou around USC's 73-0 win over Wichita St. last Satan Delnagro quotes USC head coach Jim Car/en practice, first time he tucked the ball under his arm something special." The story also quotes John Ralston, administrate Franciscn AC uni/inn "I'un fincirinarl mo tr% r\ {for USC's game vs. Southern Cal) to scout him. 14 first five of the first round of the NFL draft." Philadelphia Eagfes player-personnel director Ralston, "Rogers is the highest-rated hack in the c he can play half hack or fullback. He has breakaway I Inside Sports is also expected to do a feature a coming issue. necocks eightee worric I By Mark GHIiam Staff Writer After years of an^ ticipation, the South B Carolina Gamecocks will if finally make the trip to Los P Angeles to play the University of Southern California Trojans Saturday. ^ The two USC's have never I met. Both teams are coming off impressive wins. South Harolina piohfoonth in f I. V1^'avvvllu> **a wl^ nation, defeated Wichita State 73-0. Southern Cal, on the other hand, beat Tennessee 20-17 on a field goal with no time remaining. Southern Cal is fourth in the nation. The Trojans have not been beaten in their last 21 outings, and have scored in their last 144 games. Taking this into account, many people across the nation are expecting Southern Cal to easily extend their unbeaten string to 22. But not Trojan Coach John Robin I son. "We're concerned about this game, because we don't know that much about them (South Carolina)," Robinson said. "Last wwk I r?t<wi them seventh in the nation, but they have a chance to be 4~f: v S[ W:: :. ig ~ ' yf^ ^-M^?:;'*( ? 1 ' ' ' ' 3 ?&-/' 11 g|jpHn|| ! | red in the Sept. 22 issue o/j wined 1,681 yards, secondy n Cla! w*// /m> en/?fa/?? mm w- mmm mm W whH^VWI V# I nd." The story will center iay. as saying, "First day, first ), / knew George Rogers was ivo vice president of the San fo to Los Angeles next week re project Rogers to go In the Carl Peterson agrees with country," he said. "As a pro speed like Billy Sims. " r% lruvnt on rtoyars rn rnwr up nth id abo one of the top five or six teams in the nation." Robinson appears impressed with South Carolina's Heisman candidate George Rogers. "We fancy ourselves as connoisseurs of great running backs, so it will be a pleasure to watch George Rogers," expressed Robinson. "In rW?rfln Ufutnro " v? w* IW5UO, wc will see one of the premier running backs in the country. He appears to be one of the greatest backs in football," he continued. "He's got a good pro future. "He is a lot like Ricky Bell (former Trojan running back), but Rogers is faster. Rogers is extremely explosive. He's big and fast." SOITTHRRM PAI hoc o i fine running back of their own in Marcus Allen. He had some big shoes to fill this year with the graduation of Heisman Trophy winner Charles White. Against Tennessee last week, Allen gained 132 yards on 39 carries. "Marcus had a good game, but he could have played better." commented Robinson. "We were concerned whether or not he could run 40 times and take the punishment, but tie carried 39 times, and did a fine job." The Trojan coaching staff was also concerned about their new quarterback. When quarterback Gordon Adams walked-on at Southern Cal, he was told by Rnhincnn that ho firm i M never start at quarterback. WITH THE DEPARTURE of Paul McDonald, Robinson had to reconsider his previous decision. In spring practice Adams beat out three other candidates for the starting role. "They told me that walkon*; Hnn't nlav at ITQP ? n/>t at quarterback anyway," commented Adams. "They said I could hang around, but not to get my hopes up. I appreciated their honesty and approached the game within those guidelines. 1 knew patience would be the word of the day. Turned out, it was the word of years." In the Tennessee game Adams completed 17 out of 25 passes for 170 yards. "You can't imagine a quarterback having a more negative environment tn start in," said the coach. "But we were well pleased with his performance, he did a marvelous job. "Gordon is the type of quarterback who can make our offense go," said Robinson. "He's got a very strong arm and a very quick mind which are two primary talents we look for. "He can really drill the ball ? short and long. He has a true kind of deep throw that doesn't fade to either side, and on shorter passes, he throws the ball on a line. He's also quick afoot." ADAMS IS PROTECTED by a massive front line. Beginning his third year as the starting strongside tackle, senior Keith Van Horne (6-7, 265) was picked on Playboy magazine's AilAmerican team this summer, along with George Rogers. ut Cai v m- f V ^ y..^ Marcus Allen. Souti "Everybody knows how many great offensive linemen we've had at USC, and Keith is among the best who have ever played here," said Robinson. "In our view he's an Ail-American already, and I think he's a definite candidate for Lombardi and Outland awards." "He has great size, intelligence and athletic ability, and enough speed and quickness to play guard. He may be the best offensive tackle in the country. He's very sound in every phase of the game ? pass protection blocking, reach blocking, ; jflfe m&*gm -Jr t r<:T 1 "-. ';--:-v: ajTOHBi I Kg M ! 'SB' iT* ? m ^ vraraon ? aams, South olina .jam m I 1 hern Cat tailback and drive blocking. Technically, he's remarkable." THE POWERFUL TROJAN defense is led by several bonafide A11 American candidates. "Riki is one of the most intense physical competitors I've ever seen," said Robinson in reference to linebacker Riki Gray. "He's a natural linebacker because of his quickness and because he brings such dramatic intensity to his position. "He's aggressive, he's tough, he's a leader and he can bean Ail-American." v - a* ern Cat quarterback