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Kickoff ? " Friday, September 5, 1986 rPrpss Box ? ?? ? ^ Disloyal fans: ipfiHn Don't aive uo u ri on season yet L?-By Tracy Mixson Now that USC's football team has opened its 1986 season, let's see what we can determine from the first week of play: 1. The Gamecocks still have room for improvement; 2. Miami deserves its preseason ranking as the number three team in the nation; and 3. Carolina fans are as fickle as ever. Only onr t-ame down and already grumblings can be heard ab<?ut how lousy the Gamecocks are. But just because they lost 34-14, it doesn't mean they're going to go 0-11. A few mistakes in the opening game were to be expected, and when USC took on perennial power Miami, most people picked Carolina to lose. So why were they so surprised ? and so critical ? when their prophesies were fullfilled? Some fans have already come up with their own versions of USC's new pass-oriented offense, the "run and shoot:" run and shoot yourself in the foot, run and shoot blanks, run away and hide, run and throw it away, run and choke, and several other modifications that aren't fit to print. Apparently, the Gamecock loyal (disloyal?) arc still waiting for a repeat of 1984. That year's "dream team" relied on experience, Black Magic and a little bit of luck in catching several traditional powerhouses in an off year. The Gamecocks finish ed 10-2, and head coach Joe Morrison could do no wrong. During the past two years, some of the gold has chipped off Morrison's halo as his teams have lost seven of its past 12 games, and fans who had planned to give Morrison a lifetime contract in '84 are now starting to second-guess their hero. Much was expected of last year's team, and the players just couldn't deliver. Normally, USC supporters wouldn't have been suprised ? they're used to mediocrity. But after the 1984 season, the losing record in '85 was like finding coal in your stocking on Christmas morning. Perhaps the 10-2 season should never have happened. Gamecock fans who never before faced the realistic possibility of a national championship now use the record as a measuring stick to judge subsequent USC teams. That's too bad, because those fans choosing tc live in the nasf aren't oivino thic venr'c cnnarl a fnit shake. The Gamecocks of '86 aren't as old, a: strong, as experienced or as lucky with their playing schedule as their predecessors. But the two teams do have something in common confidence in their abilities. Two years ago, th< Gamecocks concentrated on taking one game at i time and turning in their best performance possible Ten times out of 12, it worked. This year, the goals are the same. Despite th< ninth-toughest schedule in the nation, the player are enthusiastic about the season. Last year's tean was anxious to start the year and see what fate hel< ? r> o# /\ r a + I* M1 fn^A.4 . in siuic ? uiu^ iav*cu mtjcuiuic pic^uic n keep the magic alive in '85. In contrast, this year' squad was eager to begin the year because the; realized most of that pressure was off. Most of the "experts" have picked Carolina t< lose at least five games, but should they go 6-5 witl its schedule, a bowl bid is possible. Therefore, sine losses are expected, the the Gamecocks hav nothing to lose and everything to gain. Many USC followers expecting an overnight sue cess Saturday night were sadly disappointed, an admit they already have lost confidence in thci team. But as long as the Gamecocks have faith i themselves, there's still hope for getting things fixe in '86. USU's cllis has i Redshirt freshman quarterback Todd Ellis th became the first rookie quarterback to start his first game for the Gamecocks, and is only 18 the second USC freshman to ever start a to game. In 1973, Ron Bass started for the ar Gamecocks, but that was his ninth game of ya t w % ? | *~*-"' "*l^*'? * > p -* V , a. *. v-*r* v / %#,<?#>* > .* > , ' o L a: DAVin DOTSONfTha Gamecock n Ellit it USC'i first starting freshman quarterback Q USC hope By JOHN BOYETTE Managing editor USC head coach Joe Morrison hopes his team can avoid the "road blues" that plagued the Gamecocks last season, J whpn r~"nrr?1inji frnvplc in Viroiniti <Iatnr. day for its sccond game of the season. In 1985, USC was 1-3 in away games. The Gamecocks were whipped 42-7 by Pittsburgh, 35-21 by Georgia and 56-14 by Florida State. USC's lone road victory was a 52-10 win against East Carolina. And despite last Saturday night's season opening, 34-14 loss to the University of Miami, Morrison hasn't given up on starting quarterback Todd Ellis. In fact, Morrison seemed encouraged by the fact Ellis threw for a pair of touchdowns late in the game to avoid being the first Gamecock squad to be jBf|^ i " ??*fe^> ,. ^ ^t^ ' ".; ^?. v " ^ ) ' ' ',* ' ';* ^ ' .. ;-^\ ._* *. .... i , Gamecock Fitzgerald Davis pulls down Miami hall Bame (not B By WAYNE WASHINGTON e Assistant sports editor s In a season dominated by high expectal i news of USC's "run and shoot" offense, J tention has been placed on the Gamecocks' 3 unit. After all, with such an explosive C t V* Aro * c ininimol nKon/?a *^ni?'11 V*** ir* n " uivi v j uiuiiiiiai viiauvv, mvj 11 ut 111 a iuuii y and-too-much-to-go-situation, right? Wrong. When Carolina's highly touted a ran into a brick wall Saturday night agair h ranked Miami, there was plenty of need e And walk-on Scott Bame was there to fill e Bame played a major role on opening tempting nine punts and accumulating average with one block. The game won't go d one of the all-time greatest for a USC punt J wasn't a bad outing for a man who was fig the position at this past spring's Garnet ar n game. d He admitted the crowd of 73,000 p Williams-Brice Stadium made him nervoi impressive stati e season. Ellis' stats were impressive as he completed 1-38 passes for 227 yards a.id two uchdowns. He was intercepted four times id rushed the ball nine times for minus 16 irds. His total offense was 211 yards and the 'o scores. Those figures are the best ever for a iderclassman Gamecock quarterback in his "St name. As a iunior aeainst Piftshnroh ordon Beckham passed for 235 yards and ree touchdowns in his first start. Other notable Gamecock quarterbacks in eir first start were Tommy Suggs with 6-11 issing for 76 yards against North Carolina; an Reeves with 1-4 passing for 10 yards; and ff Grantz with 7-9 passing for 79 yards and 'o touchdowns. All three were sophomores their first starts. ISC versus Virginia The Gamecocks lead in the series that dates ack to 1912, 19-10-1. But the two teams have ot played since 1981, a 21-3 South Carolina Tl :?-r -t iwiin y. i nc majority 01 me games piayeu etween the two schools came from 1951 irough 1963. This will be only the sixth < leeting for the teams in the past 15 years. ' In games played in Charlottesville, the iamecocks hold an 8-6-1 advantage. In Colmbia, USC leads the series 9-4 and Carolina 'on single games at both Richmond and Nor3lk, Va. iigh school ties r I O a l_ /"? ?* ocvciiti Duum Carolina ana virguua layers were high school teammates. Gamecock starting nose guard Tommy haikin, a junior from Bethesda, Md. and nd Walt Whitman High School, was a teamlate of Cavalier place kicker Jeff Gaffney. >uarterback Todd Ellis and Virginia offen >s tn nnnni 22< PREVIEW t<?i< M( tot COI ?? " ~ ?!? ? die shutout since Georgia dumped USC 24-0 1 in 1981. US SJnpnkino Hie U/aaHU v* v ilia ?? VVIVIJ |/I V.U1I" I Ul ference, Morrison had a lot of praise for we Ellis, who was the nation's most-sought yai after quarterback two years ago. agi "I thought Todd did an excellent job i in running the football team and the Vii poise that he showed out there," he said. Ca "You know sometimes he might have M< gotten a little antsy and overthrew some bu of the receivers, or maybe he didn't get rui the ball quick enough." ] Ellis completed 18 of 38 attempts for Mj wc PHIS' the He vet ho .rail of 1 j 1 vii Pji ?? * als * gar KELLY CHARLES/The Gamecock in [back Warren Williams 12: ane) ready to his first outing as a Gamecock. "I really was nervous at the begi ions and "I've never played before that mai little at- Most of those people had never punting before Saturday night. That's offense, Gamecock fans, who normally kee] h-down- roster and are used to a traditionall unit. The Gamecocks have been bl I scheme with strong punters such as Max Ri ist third- Norman, who both made it to to punt. ranks. the bill. But now, USC has four punters i day, at- Price, Eric Markle and Wes Hendi a 34.3 household names. In fact, even down as media guide had trouble with Ba cr, but it listing it as "Bane." hting for But things like that don't b id White 184-pound native of North Myi transferred from Chowan Junior eople at freeboro, N.C. Working to win a is during was his primary goal this summer, istical debut j^T PTES sive guard Mike Pascucci were teammates on Greensboro, N.C. Page's state high school championship team. Pascucci was a defensive tackle in high school. Also, Gamecocks Curt and Tim High played with junior center John Langdon at Raleigh, N.C. Milbrok High School, and USC linebacker Derrick Little and freshman wingback Carl Piatt were teammates with wide reciever Derek Dooley at Athens, Ga. Clarke Central. Hanlar pnntinimc fn china imjjiwi uwiiiiuuuu iu oiiiiiv# Senior placekicker Scott Hagler nailed both his extra point attempts against Miami to run his two plus year total to 82 straight. Hagler did not attempt a field goal. He is currently number nine on the all-time school scoring list with 130 points and needs nine points to take over eighth spot. Cniinriil rt I <n unro aninrnfl UGvciai piaycio iirjuigu Freshman starting middle linebacker Zip Zanders suffered a broken left thumb while blocking a Miami punt, but the injury, while painful, will not keep him out of the lineup Saturday against Virginia. Junior offensive right tackle David Poinsett did not play with an ankle sprain but should be ready for Virginia. Those expected not to play include defensive ends David Hodge (ankle) and Curtis Kilgore (ankle), linebackers Carl Hill (knee), Kevin Rourk (neck) and Joe Todd (foot), and wingback r? l- /1 v ?w vjcuijjc ivusii \Kneej. noage, mil ana Kiigore should be back for Western Carolina. jet 'roa 7 yards, but threw four intercepti "I'm sure you all remember your ecast or first sportswriting da )rrison told reporters. "I imagii )k Edgar Allen Poe a few year Tie out and write 'The Raven,' to In't just happen overnight." Morrison was also quick to point IC won't be facing such a balai inin and passing attack wcek-in ek-out. The Hurricanes racked up rds passing and 169 yards rus ainst USC. usl.s opponent this weeki rginia, is a prime example, valiers' starting quarterback, ijkowski, is a proven quarterb t Virginia still relies heavily on i. Morrison, for one, is impressed ijkowski's abilities. "He can throw the ball very, 11," Morrison said. "He likes to ; option down around the goal : looks like he reads it and execut -y well." The big question with Majkov wever, is whether or not he :over from injuries that kept him action for most of last sea rginia head coach George Welsh o have to contend with the loss< Tensive lineman Jim Dombrowski lback Barry Word, the Atlantic C in fnrnnno nloirar f " 1 f*Q 'iiiviviiwv wi iliv jrtttl III 170 iduation. "Don Majkowski is really an exce lletc," Welsh said. "He had a r od year for us in '84. He's had s ury problems with the bad elbow )ulled hip muscle last year. for USC's "run and shoot" ise, Welsh said his team got a hii iat to expect by watching ESI ecast of the Gamecocks' se cncr. 'We didn't know what was hap] until we saw them on televi linst Miami," Welsh said. "I'm e we're ready for it. We felt ve had to change some things." The USC-Virginia game is the / ne-of-the-week, and will be telev the South. Kickoff is scheduled 20 p.m. be house nning," he said. "ThGTB 3T ly people." . heard of Bame t3k6 yOUT jO ; unusual for p up with USC's y strong punting essed in the past ?????? inager and Chris eluded runnir the professional stamina. The work 1 n Bame, Rodney Bame is the fi icks ? none are secure. With I this year's USC to take his jol ime's last name, form well. "I'm starti other the 5-11, change if I c tie Beach, who always peoplt College in Mur- got to keep w starting position ,4A starting and workouts in- tion. I've jus1 ni i uemson nop; closes book i By ASSOCIATED PRESS CLEMSON, S.C. ? Clerr son University hopes a gran jury's decision not to indi< four present or former footba players on criminal sexu< assault charges has "closed th book" on the alleged inciden a school official said Thursday "This has been a long an complex issue to deal with, said Nick I.nmav arfino vir president for student affairs. "This was an ugly inciden Clernson University is n( pleased when our students particularly those who repr< sent us as athletes ? mal mistakes in judgment an engage in behavior that is en barrassing and countei productive. However, v\ believe the situation has bee resolved." A Pickens County grand jui decided Tuesday there was ii sufficient evidence to indi tailback Kenny Flowers an defensive back A.J. Johnsc and ex-players Duke Holloms and Craig Crawford on chargi of criminal sexual assault, ki< napping and larceny. Lomax said he didn't kno who contacted Columbia a torney Richard Harpootlian i represent Flowers and Johnsoi but he said the school was in r id blues' 1 I ons- Gamecock Thouahts first w ic it s to ^ the "We need to get the with finer points ironed out. I ? I think we'll bounce back very run (this) week against ] lin? Virginia. We just need to execute." vski, Danny Smith can USC wide receiver l out son. will n r\ rl allu MBBB @ -?ast ""VHi 5, to llent WBbSJm eally PN's ason "We've got a positive attitude. We know what pen- rR ikio hono tn rlr? r? hoof I I siuii iii/ uuvu iu uu iu ucai 1 ? Hkc Virginia. We just have to go out and do it. ^ Zip Zanders for USC linebacker >hold name [? e always people there who can b, so I've got to keep working." Scott Bame USC punter ?g in the heat of the day to improve las paid off with a starting job, but rst to say his first-string position isn't IP :hree other Gamecock punters waiting a, Bame said he must continue to per ng against Virginia, but then it could lon't produce," he said. "There are there who can take your job, so I've -orking. ; job is never really secure at any posigot to take it day by day." ss jury decision sn rape charges 11 way involved. i- The university paid no legal d fees, Lomax said. f i ! 11 Lomax said the status of the *1 students is unchanged. le "In accordance with our t, university disciplinary polices, /. they were reprimanded then for d bad judgment, counseled about " their behavior and warned :e about the seriousness of the charges almost brought against t. them," he said. )t Lomax also said that the ? State Law Enforcement Divie sion and the solicitor's office :e had "assured us ... the inld vestioation chnwc nn im. i- proprieties or administrative r- problems with the way the war'e rants were handled by universi;n ty police." Arrest warrants were drawn ry after the woman reported she i- had been attacked by four men ct on June 20. But the charges ) id against Crawford and ?n Holloman were later dropped, in and warrants against Flowers es and Johnson, both expected to J- be starters on the Clemson football team this year, were drawn w and signed by a judge but needt ed to be countersigned by a to judge in the Clemson University n, jurisdiction before being 10 served. , ( ;