Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Defense plays 'age By Kevin Sullivan ror Joe Morrison, Saturday night at Wuliams-Brice Stadium was his first victory as head football coach at USC. For USC placekicker Mark Fleetwood, an 18-yard field goal in the first quarter beat Eddie Leopard's career record of 27 field goals. For punter Chris Norman, a first quarter punt tied a USC record for the longest punt with an 80 yard effort. AND FOR USC running back Thomas Dendy, who has played in 12 games as a Gamecock, 17 carries for 74 yards pushed his career rushing total to 999 yards. Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers, who completed his football career at USC in 1980, did not gain 1,000 yards until his 16th game Saturday's 24-3 victory gives the Gamecocks a 1-1 record. "It's a heck of a lot better feeling knowing you won rather than lost," Morrison said. "We played the whole sixty minutes aggressively, and that is going to help us down the line." USC's defense, which gave up 376 total yards to North Carolina this past week, held Miami to 268 total offensive yards. Defensive end James Sumpter and middle linebacker Mike Durrah led USC with 10 total tackles each. ON THE first USC possession, after a Miami punt, Gamecock quarterback Bill Bradshaw fumbled on his own eight yard line to set up a Miami field goal. "The ball just went off my stomach, and 1 lost it," Brad shaw said. "You really have to commend our defense after that stand, it gave our offense some confidence," he said. In three plays, the defense held Miami to negative three yards after the Bradshaw fumble. Miami placekicker Mike Kiebach hit a 31-yard field goal to put the Redskins on the board first. Following the field goal, the Redskins were never able to move the ball past the USC 34 yard line. Ii USC MARCHED 80 yards on eight plays during their next possession. A first-down, 36-yard pass attempt from Bradshaw to receiver Ira Hillary was incomplete, but pass interference was called. Using running plays for the next 43 yards, USC capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown by 8 Thomas Dendy. "Moving the ball like that is a great feeling," Bradshaw said. "This offense is going to work now. We didn't blow as many assignments as last week, and we got great blocking up field." With 3:12 left in the first quarter, Fleetwood booted his 28th career field goal. USC had driven 29 yards to set up th< field goal. I A 67-yard drive late in the third quarter led to the next US1 touchdown. The running game made up the drive with all 1 plays remaining on the ground. Kent Hagood fought to tfr one yard line on a 34-yard run and on the next play, took it it to the end zone. I r. \ r >& . % ' r MfcSSSS M m&rmSm ! Joe Morrison USC's Head football coach warms up with his team bef over Miami (Ohio), it was the first win for Morrison as a jressively' in first w rnuiMr.RRAr.K Chris Maior intercepted a Miami pass intended for Tom Murphy. "Our defensive line and linebackers did a fine job, but I really must single out defensive back Chris Major, because he had a super game for a freshman," Morrison said. "It was a good game to get my college career started," Major said. "We worked on that play (the pass to Miami's Murphy) a lot during the week. We were prepared for it," he said. Twice in the fourth quarter Miami was able to get within 40 yards of the end zone. But the USC defense held, and Miami ran out of downs. USC had nine sacks. "WE WERE just able to read some of their plays," said USC defensive tackle Rickey Hagood, who had eight total tackles. "We're in good shape after those two-a-days (practices), and we have to be when we face those bigger teams," Haeood said. Miami first-year head coach Tim Rose credited the Gamecock defense but said the Redskins committed costly errors. 2|yflK SHar g-y ic Ira Hillary v USC wide receiver tries to shake off a Redskin defender after season 24 3. Punter, j "' *$'*",* two Cart | j| " By Andrew Miller *$ m '~W? ^ a. Chris Norman and Mark , bined to break or tie three sir ^ '* kicking records against Miai Ohio Saturday night at jfiap Stadium. JC2 Norman's 80-yard punt <*? !jJ&| quarter tied a three-year-old jttppp* I Feltz in Carolina's 13-9 victo HHk Norman said. "But I didn't ft?BS NORMAN'S GAME aver ..v.-.,;: J>j?T# *^|9| ^er Punt ^ro^e nationa \ "Every punt felt good an m P? liir 1k? a lot tonight," the senior pui ?1 "jm_ ched the ball go from my he B 1 Norman's punts kept the deep in their own territory I game. Not once did M Gamecocks' 30-yard line in ^ The Redskins started drives 20-, 16-, 15- and 14-yard Norman's punts. "I try to kick it as high ai defense can run under th< - doesn't matter how far I k said. "If I kick it a mile an i returns it a long way, then r didn't matter." FLEETWOOD'S 18-YAJ the 28th of his career, formerly held by Eddie L set between 1977 and '80. Photo by laura Ferguson . r ., T Leopard now pla^s for tl . , , in the Aifterica Football , ore Saturday s game, a 24-3 victory summer he kickcd a 62.yar< I Gamecock. Charlotte team. in, Morrison says "Wc were slow at times, and that has to be worked on because it causes unnecessary time-outs and penalties," Rose said. "Sacks hurt us the most on second (down) and lonjz. We just didn't have the protection," he said. Miami middle guard Brian Pillman carried much of the Redskin defense. The senior had 18 total tackles including four tackles for losses. SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK Allen Mitchell replaced Bradshaw in the fourth quarter, and on his first play from scrimmage he hit Chris Wade for a gain of 33 yards. After a Dendy carry up the middle, Mitchell was intercepted on a pass intended for Eric Poole. During the next USC possession, Mitchell found Ira Hillary for a 52-yard completion, and on the next play, he scrambled to his right and hit Hillary, this time for 23-yard touchdown pass. Bardshaw finished the game with 67 yards passing, while Mitchell threw for 112 yards. "I'm really pleased with the play of Mitchell," Morrison said. "He stayed in the pocket and made the throws." * ***. ' XC , ~ 4* ^ .. ^ ||* : X ^^HgBH^n^>: *(H_- ~ ^< Photo by Lauri Ferguson a reception against Miami (Ohio) in the Gamecocks' first win of the place-kicker break ilina school records Although Fleetwood's field goal set a Fleetwood com- record, he somewhat downplayed the effort, gle-game school "It's a great feeling; I'm ju-i proud to conni University of tribute," Fleetwood said. "It was shorter Williams-Brice than an extra-point. I think it was one of the shortest that I have ever kicked," the Allin the second American candidate said. N mark set by Jay HEAD FOOTBALL coach Joe Morrison y over Clemson said the kicking game did well, but he especially praised Norman's effort. lad hit it well," "He did a super job," Morrison said. "He hink I had hit it was definitely worth the price of admission tonight. That 80-yard kick was really a beauty up there. It is a pleasure to see kicks like ige of 58.3 yards that. It reminded me of watching Don I record of 57.6 Chandler (former New York Giant punter >f Army against ancj a fellow teammate of Morrison)." ? six punts for a Fleetwood also praised Norman's punting against Miami. i I concentrated "He did a hell of a job tonight, but I'm iter said. "I wat- really not surprised," Fleetwood said. "If nd to my foot." there's an All-American candidate it's Redskins pinned Chris." throughout the NORMAN SAID everyone did a good job iami cross the on t^e pUntjng team. the second half. "(Tracy) Evans (the snapper on field goals 3n their own 21-, an(j pUnts) does a great job. He snaps the ball lines because of right where I want it. The offensive line has done real well. Before, I used to worry about I can so that the getting a kick blocked, but tonight I just conball because it centrated on kicking the ball," Norman said, ick it, Norman Norman said if he could have it his own i the return man way* he would kick as few times as possible, ly distance really 4 * I f I have to do it to win the game, I'll do it. but I'd rainer not Keep us m mc game. That's the job of the offense and defense. I tD field goal was want to kick as few times as possible," he rhe record was said. eopard with 27 FLEETWOOD AND Norman said the e Carolina Storm kicking game was excellent. Fletwood said Association. This place-kicker Scott Hagler "did a great job. It field goal for the makes it easy for the kickoff team when he kirks it out of the end zone a lot."