The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 31, 1986, Page 8, Image 8
? Kickoff
O Friday, October 31, 1986
Ellis is c
By RICHARD BREEN
Senior reporter
The expectations. Oh, the
expectations.
They weren't just big, they
were immense. And they grew
even bigger during Todd F.llis'
rrrUliirl vi>:ir
My the time the freshman from
Greensboro's Page High School
stepped on the field against the
University of Miami Aug. 30,
Gamecock fans were expecting
Jim Kelly incarnate.
What they got was something
entirely different.
Passes sailed high. Drives stalled
with interceptions near the
goal line. Wins looked hard to
come hy. Pat Turner's name
came up in more and more
conversations.
"It was a little rocky at first,"
said sophomore wide receiver
Ryan Bethea. "But now we're
{-'.riling nseu 10 iinn anu lie s gelling
used It) us."
lans are getting used to F.llis,
too. And getting used to raising
expectations after each rccordbreaking
game.
Passes hit receivers in stride.
Almost every drive ends in a
scoie. Optimism is at an all-time
high despite a 2-4-1 record.
And Ellis is rolling up impressive
statistics.
Hr\ M'miul in ihr n.'itimi in
total offense with 283.0 yards per
game. He's fifth in the nation in
passing with a 144.4 rating.
Fillis holds Gamecock singlegame
records with 394 passing
Coaches expt
offensive bat
By JOHN BOYETTE
Kickoff editor
Throw out the record books and
the scoreboard.
That's ilie general feeling USC he
Joe Morrison and N.C. State head cc
Sheridan have about Saturday's co
ween the Gamecocks and the Wolff
I he Wolfpack is a decided favor
prove their 5-1-1 record against USC
in control of the Atlantic Coast C
race after last week's 27-3 manha
( leinson.
The Gamecocks, on the other 1
having one of those "if" seasons. If
avoided late interceptions against
and Nebraska and three missed fi
against Virginia lech, its record w
bably be 5-2 instead of 2-4-1.
Despite the better record, Sherid;
USC will give the Wolpack a stern <
1 le pointed out his squad has had tre
(aining (cams that use (he pass e
which is (he Gamecocks' strong sui
"We're now las( in the ACC
defense, and that really concerns i
licular playing an offense the ealil
(iamccocks," he said via telephone
I JSCs weekly football conference
really done very poorly against goc
teams and we haven't played a pa?
as efficient or effective as South C
"Offensively they're the most
team we vc faced this year, Shei
tinned. " I hey have the most diffici
to defense. I think they've steadily
as I odd l .llis has gained confidei
new system. South Carolina's a
everybody realizes could have a
record."
Peerless p>
S;?y it ain't so, Joe.
By virtue of public outcry, thi
been forced to release Ins pigskin |
lor I Ins week's games.
Some of you may have been wonc
pened to I he Gamecock '.v weekly
appeared on a regular basis last fa
locked in a secret vault ever since I (
people were making money off
exper lise.
hut alter months ol arguing, I
when (iamecock supporters threat*
leather me if I didn't tell who was ]
11S( N.( State game. I hey said i
pigskin prognosticator, didn't rel
they'd slap a lawsuit on me faster I
Paul Perkins.
Willi that kind of nressnre st;irini
I decided discretion was the bettei
( I ranslatcd, J his is r?y f irst week 01
Kukoff page and I wanted to maki
So without tUrther ado, let's g(
lineup:
llorida State at Miami ? Ho
renowned for taking the Serninoles
knocking off favored opponents,
tells rne Morula State is looking
week's clash with IJSC instead of c
Vinny festaverde and the Hurriai
contest . . . Miami 3H, llorida Sta
renn State at West Virginia ? I
closer than most people think, hut
fust horn child on the Mountainec
has his troops geared up for a p
I
losing in
yards and 26 pass completions. j
And he's closing in on several
season passing records with four
games still left on the schedule.
It is conceivable Ellis will break
two of Tommy Suggs' school
passing records in the game with
the Wolfpack. He needs only
seven more completions to break
the old mark of 136 and just 64
yards to break the record of 2,030
yards, both set in a single season.
"He's settled down a lot, and
he's really throwing strikes," said
Gamecock junior Sterling
Sharpe. The wingback has been
the prime beneficiary of Ellis'
success, with 671 yards and six
touchdowns on 48 catches (third
in the nation).
"He is showing a lot of confidence
in the offensive line
blocking and in the receivers running
their routes," Sharpe said.
Ellis isn't holding back any
praise for his talented corps of
receivers, either.
"A lot of cnmnlftioiK tr?
receivers besides the ones I have
wouldn't be touchdowns," Ellis
said.
More touchdowns mean less
pressure on USC's Fire Ant
defense, which likes to gamble
and go for the big plays. "I like it
(Ellis' improvement) from a
defensive standpoint because he's
not turning the ball over," said
linebacker Matt McKcrnan.
Fans' expectations sometimes
get too big for anyone to live up
f r\ TKit 11 m A thofonc turf V* cwl * /a
iw. ill.? IIIIIV, I I I v IUIIO J ll.Tl IIC1U IVi
wait a few weeks.
use had MWBB
Cicorgia
icld goals
ould proTodd
Ellis throws a pass in I
an believe
challenge.
mble con- The Gamecocks arc c
ffcctively, pressive offensive showinj
t. Homecoming victory aga
in total Eillis and backup Pat I
is, in par- throw for five touchdowr
3er of the defense held the Pirates t
hookup at
. "We've But history indicates i
\rl n?C(^ino /'nni^/niAn^p u/linn tn;.
/m vv/iiovvjuviivc nnvii mv. i rv <
ising team years ago the Wolfpack t
arolina. down to the wire before 1c
explosive year a 75-yard touchdow
idan con- final two minutes gave
jit offense decision against USC in <
improved "In my three seasons
nee in the had any more exciting g
team that with North Carolina Sta
different "The last two are good
citcment. Both teams arc
IV
igsKin prog\
s columnist has
prognostications
predictions that jt?
II. They've been
finally relented gg^if I
L'ned to tar and 111?
going to win the
f I, the peerless ________???_?,
ease my picks,
than I could say
championship me*
I me in the face, f iesta or Citrus B<
r part of valor. one after five strai]
n the job on the Perm State 24, Wc
c some picks). Auburn ut Flori
> to this week's ol college lootbal
year. Auburn has
bby How den is of Heisman Troph
011 the road and pect anything to
Hut something Auburn 35, F lorid
ahead to next Texas A&M ut ?
oncentrating on Southwest Confer
mcs. It'll be no Georgia. The farr
ite 17. Aggies have come
his gamt will be in their opener witl
don't bet your but look for Texa
trv Joe Paterno Texas A&M 41, SI
ossible national Southern Cnl a
on all-time
THE ELLI:
Opponent Com. Ai
Miami 18 3
Virginia 12 2
W. Carolina 16 2
Georgia 21 3
Nebraska 26* 3
VPI 20 3
E. Carolina 17 2
Totals 130 21
* denotes USC record
I'lilil III 'HiliiiniiMliHiWmMH I IH'MI'HWH'I IWIII'MI
- * ^vfe* " J " '
THOMAS I
JSC's 3B 3 Homecoming victory against East Carolina
oming off ail im- to the very end. 1 t ea11 >
i in last week's 38-3 same this time."
inst Hast Carolina. Morrison also showed
urncr combined to job Sheridan has done i
i passes, and USC's Wolfpack program earli
o just a field goal. "Coach Sheridan anc
M Mnrritm
records arc of little have their team playing
o schools meet. Two up with some awfully in
ook the Gamecocks "I expect Saturday's I
)sing 35-28. And last passing afternoon with
n pass in the game's Kramer throwing tin
N.C. State a 24-17 "However, both teams
Columbia. and it appears that we :
we've probably not provcment on defense,
ames than the ones down to the wire, like tl
te," Morrison said. Kickoff lor the game
examples of the ex- Saturday at Carter-l ink
always in the game will not be televised.
losticator pick
jhf JOHN BOYETTE'S
pEARLESS
eting with Miami in either the unknown u
owl. West Virginia is due to win and the pr<
gilt losses, but not this week . . . probably hi
;st Virginia 13. we don't sc
da ? The Gators have been one Anyway, tl
i s mggesi disappointments mis Keep on ro
continued to roll despite the loss . . . South
ly winner Bo Jackson. Don't ex- Richinon
change for either team . . . 'Dogs, I a
a 23. picking the
iouthern Methodist ? This is the pick a tean
ence's version of Clemson vs. isn't as sha
ners against the Had Boys. The trouble hail
on strong after being ambushed mond 14.
h LSU. SMU has been surprising, Duke at i
s A&M to keep on rolling . . . the intellec
VIU 31. these two /
t Arizona ? F or some rertson roundboll t
USC passing
L .X
S FILE
It. Yds. TDs Int.
8 227 2 4
7 155 0 2 JPP
4 245 2 1 2P^r
1 342 3 4 pc^g|
8 286 1 1
6 394* 2 1 '
3 318 4 1 !fg| ;
17 1967 14 14 M
USC quarterbai
'?*3? Carolina I
IJSC holds a slim 2.1-2
R lead in games played agai
"4 IfL N.C. Stale. I lie two scIki
c lirst met in 19(H> with
Ciamccoeks posting a 12-0 >
M in Columbia and a 17-5 deeis
in Raleigh.
Wolfpaek in panics played
JSSsSm ^ N.C. State leads *14-6-3 in
! meetings in Raleigh. I
(iamecocks have won six ol
jpSU k last 10 meetings. N.C. Stale
_ , J?j\ ? ?T/ a won fout in a row f rom
S3W* (iamecocks on two occasic
while US( has taken il
._ / - straight several times.
HUMPHREY/The Gamecock
last weak. Mixed succes:
I ICV Iww .... Im.uwI .
i expect more ot the w,v M,,> u,JunAI ^
cess in games against le.i
some respect lor the coached by Dick Shetidan. I
since taking over the <?amccocks beat his I urn
er this year team 45-10 in 14>7K. but I
J his staff arc to be 28-23 to the Paladins in
i said. "They really Sheridan has close ties
well. They've come US(' ,k* graduated lio.n li
upressive victories. 1,1 '964 and received
rootball game to be a ".aster's degree from USC
I odd Hllis and Hric 1969. He has coached at sevi
. . i.;..i. . ..iww.i, ? i
I* ball llC StilCl iwv.cn m^ii uuuun, iiiliuu
can run the football Airport, Orange bin
ire both showing im- Wilkinson and i-.au < laiie.
This one could go Sheridan was an assist
liose in the past." coach at l urman trom 197.
is set for 12:15 p.m. 1977 until he took over the h
y Stadium. The game at 'Orcenvillc schoo
5 Gamecocks o
more in ten
Man lam
I el ty I)ri<
couching cl
However,
hum anol
forecast i
),;,s t() p|;,y
ed lhem ai
(hut vsill si
I*veil again
had a team
South (
the one v<
? anyone hut myself, I am one of the few and the '
>ud who actually like the Trojans. It's inemoiahli
realise my roommate can't stand them; tost should
e eye to-eye when it comes to loot hall. ed against
le pick here is that the other IJS( will Howl, hut
tiling, hilt not without sonic ilitliculty look lot I
crn C'al 2H, Arizona 24. I v. Dick SI
d ut (Georgia ? As much as I dislike (lie he can yet
wi't sec blowing my per feci iccortl by I ' S( .1H, |s
F ighting Spiders. How the heck can you I his she
l with that kind of nickname? (icorgia campus w\
rp as in years past, hut they'll have no lusi temci
dling the Spiders . . . (icorgia 49, Rich pick some
win the Sn
'*eorgiu Tech ? This one could he called I Innk a
tual howl. Instead of playing loothall,
\CC lightweights should break out the John H<
ind play some hoops. It would be a lot editor of I
I records
* ** *
jfl
t ;
JENNIFER STEIBfTh* QmtcocV
:k Todd Ellis
leads series
? I
i NOTES 1
.vin
ion I????????????J
I97K. He resigned lo lake the
I he head position at N.C. State last
in season alter guiding the
ikI, I'aladins to the finals ot the
the Division l-AA nlavolls.
rhe ? l
has Tough schedule
USC's opponents this season
11 have posted a combined record
ol 5.V27-3, good lor a 66.9 winning
percentage, 'through the
g litst eight weeks six of the
Gamecocks' 1 1 opponents have
been or are currently ranked in
nc- the nation's lop 20. It's no
mis wonder l)S( "s schedule was )
I he lankeil lomth toughest in the
lan nation a week ago.
lost
; Injury report
Ins
in l or the first time this season,
:ral the (iainecocks' roster does not
ling appeal to he hit hard by inrg
juiies. Only two players, delen- ;
sive ends Willie Mclntee and
ant ( uttis Kilgore, ate questionable
\ to loi Saturday's contest. f..clntee ^
ead has a sprained left ankle and ? r
I in Kilgote has a sprained left knee.
ver Tack
sling . . . (ieorgia I ccli 31, Duke 7.
>1 al North (arolina ? Rurnoi lias it that
. sell will make his college football .
cbiii iMis Saluiclay al Kenan Stadium. '
not even old haldy can save I lie lerps |
hci dcleat Norlli (aiolina 24, | ( |
14. '
al Wake Forest ? I pity ilic (cam that \
the I igers after the way N.( '. State kick- !;
ouiul last week IJnloitunaiely, tlie team )
Littci litis week is the Demon Deacons.
isi a soli schedule, the ligers aren't that !
i . ( lemson IS, Wake I orest 10. ;
urolina at Norlli C arolina State ? I his is >
ni've been waiting lor. The (iamecocks >
Woltpack have hooked up lor some *!
contests in ycais past, and the 1986 conhe
no dil lerent. I'll admit I haven't pick the
(iamecocks since the 1980 Ciator ,?
this is one i really believe IJSC will win. . )
Mis, Sharpc, el al, to pass N.( . State sil- |
lieiidan's a line man, but thete's no way ]
Ins troops up loi another big game ...
J.( State 24. ^
,.ii ,.i . i i, i. ? *
'tiivi * i?i y (ill ui iiu | m v. r. 11 vi y iaii> wu ,
t<> iv.'c1 advice in these kinds of matters. *
unci "'ill ilie last time I had the urge to
too*'nail games, I picked New Ingland to '
iper Bowl and IJS( to go (> ?. in I98S. \
houl it.
>\rtte i s munuKiHK editor and Kick off
he Ciameeock. 0 I