The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 10, 1983, Page 13, Image 13
*
Fighting Iris
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USC fans, called the "12th man" in a
previous win over Southern California, were
benched by rain and a quick Notre Dame attack
in the Irish's 30-6 win Saturday.
The 74,500 game attendance set a record
for Williams-Brice stadium. Capacity is
listed at 74,200.
From the outset, USC had trouble moving
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downs in the first quarter, one of those
on a Notre Dame penalty.
FOLLOWING USC'S punt after its first
possession, the Fighting Irish began the first
of five consecutive scoring drives. On the
first play from scrimmage, tailback Allen
Pinkett broke off a 53-yard run to USC's
19-yard line.
Although the Irish's drive ended with a
49-yard Mike Johnston field goal, Notre
Dame players and coaches said the first
possession was a major part of the outcome
of the game.
"It was a priority to take the crowd out of
the game early," Pinkett said. "We knew
that we had to get on them early and the
(56-yard) run really took the air out of
them."
"In order to take the crowd away we knew
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did," Notre Dame head coach Gerry Faust
said.
"THE BIG plays early helped to take the
12th man out of the game," Irish quarterback
Steve Beuerlein said.
Notre Dame scored again in under six
minutes, this time on a 26 yard pass from
Beuerlein to Chris Smith. Johnston's extra
point was good, making the score 10-0.
USC was stopped again on its next possession,
and Notre Dame drove within
Johnston's range again, giving the Irish a
13-0 lead with 2:32 left in the first quarter.
After a USC fumble just before the end of
the first quarter, Johnston kicked a third
field goal early in the second quarter. It was
the fourth time in Johnston's career he had
kicked three field goals in one game.
"I FELT comfortable on all three kicks,"
Johnston said of his 49- , 27- and 41-yard efQuarterback,
celel
By Jeff Hartsell
USC football team's locker room was a quiet
ing Saturday night's 30-6 loss to Notre Dame.
\irtt a\ton thi> nrpcpnpp of lames Rrown. the (
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Soul, could lighten the gloom at the bottom of W
Stadium.
I The famed singer popped into the locker rooi
! visit, but most of the players' attention remained
that had ended minutes earlier.
THE FIGHTING Irish jumped out to a 23-0
the second quarter, and held off a Gamecock squ
ed some signs of life in the second half for the
The game started before a record crowd of 74
number dwindled steadily from the second hal
soaked fans splashed to the exits.
Starting quarterback Allen Mitchell, who com
14 passes for only 14 yards, twisted his right ank
third quarter and was replaced by sophomore J
Desmond directed a third quarter, 71-yard tou
that was one of Carolina's few bright spots on
HE HIT on six of 11 passes for 68 yards, and
of execution for the Gamecocks' offensive trou
"We haven't played a consistent offensive j
even against Southern Cal," Desmond said. "
ecute, and execution is the name of the game."
He pointed to several fumbled snaps as evid(
problems.
"The fumbled snaps were a combination o
back, the center and the weather," he said. "W<
our hearts out, and it seemed everything was goi
the rain sure didn't help."
NOTRE DAME'S defensive play didn't helf
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ILiesmona saiu.
"They were blitzing on Mitchell a lot, but !
much of that. Notre Dame is a good ball club,
of preseason recognition, and they've been
steady ball.*'
Mitchell, who had his right ankle X-rayed imi
the game, echoed Desmond's comments on ex<
"We didn't execute at all," Mitchell said. "
play a good game. It was more a case of us play
Notre Dame playing well."
IUSC LINEBACKER Mike Durrah had U
night, and said the Gamecocks were ready to i
"We worked hard, and we were prepared,"
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Reception or interception?
Notre Dame's Chris Brown and USC tight end Dominique Btoingame leap for a pass in Saturday':
el Mama-Mao 8tedium.
forts. "The distance really doesn't affect me Notre Dame's offense enjoyed the fruits o
because I try to kick every kick the same the defense, as its average field position wa
way." on its 48-yard line.
But the Gamecocks never started the o
The Irish closed out the scoring in the first fense past its own 20-yard line because evei
half with a 59-yard scoring pass from one of Notre Dame's kickoffs were taken ;
Beuerlein to Pinkett. touchbacks by USC.
iritvtwoof few briaht soots in L
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made some mistakes early and gave them the momentum. I scored Caro
place follow- think our win over Southern Cal made Notre Dame realize enthusiasm <
they had to play well to beat us." "WE WEI
3odfather of In comparing Notre Dame and the University of Southern the first. It !
^illiams-Brice California, Durrah said, "Southern Cal and Notre Dame are crucial mom
both talented. Notre Dame executed; Southern Cal didn't. Carolina 1
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n for a short And tomgnt we aian i uiiiwiaii/
l on the game Kent Hagood, who rushed for 79 yards on 14 carries and it to good ui
f the quarter- ^
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[ didn't see as
They had a lot
playing good,
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cocks, 30-6
IN THE third quarter, both the Irish and
USC had drives stopped by penalties and two
turnovers. One of the turnovers was a fumble
recovered by USC defensive end James
Sumpter at USC's 29-yard line.
With the ensuing possession USC inserted
Jim Desmond in for starter Allen Mitchell
and the drive ended in the only score for the
Gamecocks. Kent Hagood scored on a oneyard
dive and the two-point conversion attempt
failed.
The Gamecocks threatened to score on
their next possession on the strength of two
fourth-down conversions. USC got down to
the Irish eight-yard line and faced another
fourth down, but Notre Dame defensive
tackle Mike Gann sacked Desmond.
"I knew we were running out percentage
wise (on fourth-down conversions)," Morrison
said. "But three points at that time
wasn't going to help us."
"THE SACK in the final quarter to stop
the drive was a great one for me personally,"
Gann said. "I had been getting around the
quarterback lately, but have not been getting
any sacks."
Following the sack, Notre Dame drove 82
yards on eight plays for a touchdown that
put the game away. Pinkett capped the drive
with a two-yard scoring run.
"Our offense did an excellent job,
especially when we took the ball from the 10
or 15 and scored to put the game out of
reach," Faust said. "Up to this date, it was
our best performance of the year."
Many of USC's players disagreed with
Faust, saying the Gamecocks own poor execution
was at fault.
"WE JUST didn't execute well at all,"
USC wide receiver Eric Poole said. "What
makes this so disappointing is that Notre
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secondary as Georgia or North Carolina."
i "We didn't play like we were capable of
playing," USC running back Thomas Dendy
said.
y USC has an open date next Saturday and
s will not play until Oct. 22, when they travel
to Louisiana State University.
ISC locker room
ina's lone touchdown, said there was no lack of
in the Gamecocks' part.
IF. fired nn. hut things iust seemed to fall apart at
eemed like we had penalties and breakdowns at
;nts," he said.
as a week off before they face Louisiana State
;t. 22, and Desmond said the Gamecocks will put
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18II. Lewis gained 23 yards on seven carries m USU's