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Ellis ] By The Associated Press Let the hype begin. Quarterback Todd Ellis already is being touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate and was the cover boy on several national preseason football publications. But Ellis hasn't let all the hype go to his head. After all, he remembers the criticism he came under after last season's 30-13 loss to Louisiana State in the Gator Bowl. And there's his girlfriend, who wasn't quite as impressed by her very own cover boy. "I brought a couple of them home one day after they hit the stands," he said. "I showed my girlfriend, and she looked at them, thought I didn't look very good in the pictures and put them down. "So, it gets you humble right away." Ellis, who is on track to become the NCAA's top all-time passer, helped lead the Gamecocks to an 8-4 record last season ? their best mark since 1984 when they were 10-2. But all most fans remember is the final game against LSU. Ellis hit 28 of 47 passes for 304 yards. But, he also had four passes intercepted. And the Gamecocks lost. "You have to keep things in perspective," Ellis said. "I can remember after the Gator Bowl, where there was not one thing written in the world good about me. Things come around and go around. "Preseason covers don't mean anything to me," said Ellis, who is the Gamecocks' best candidate to I WU3V-| Bring a Friend The HiHI J-Hi Offer good with niAi wns WHEN: Clinic start WHERE: Booker T CLINIC: September Saturday, Septembei TRVOUTS: Sunday T. Washington Gyrr FOR MORE at plays i Junior/re 6-foot-3, ^ * Greensb< A^- Honorabl Threw O yards. Had ', qc +hrrn on track mark of 11,win the Heisman since running back George Rogers did it in 1980. "I bet magazines for years probably have been drooling since George Rogers to have somebody incredible that they can put on a magazine. "They know they'd sell a million copies in South Carolina," Ellis said. "Believe me, that had a lot to do with it probably." Ellis has the numbers to support being touted as one of the nation's best quarterbacks. Last year, the 6-foot-3, 203-pound Greensboro, N.C., native hit 241 of 432 passes for 3,206 yards and 10 touchdowns. In two years, Ellis has connected on 446 of 772 passes for 6,226 yards and 30 TDs. Ellis already holds the school record for career passing yards, attempts and completions. In all, he has set 22 school records in a career that's just 23 games old. Ellis also is on track to break the NCAA record for career passing FM"3I AWESOME IfM B 11 ALTERNATIVE90.5 % r HAIRCUTS | |i?M I 'Mm i. J I I L H #.-? ! Ml I i these coupons only I J.U. iERLEADI rRyOUTS s Tuesday, Septembei . Washington Gym on 6th thru September 9th r "t n4-u H n r\om I U II I IIUIII I U.UU an I , September 11 th at 12 i. INFORMATION: Cal 777-4276 or 772-853 down ' luick facts about Todd Ellis dshirt 203 pounds Dro, N.C. (Page High School) '87 Statistics/Records e mention Ail-American Independent selection 41 of 432 completions for 3,206 A intorr>oritir>n anH 1 D Trie /vn for 6,226 yards in two years and to surpass all-time NCAA passing 425 by San Jose's Todd Santos. yards set last year by San Jose State's Todd Santqs, who threw for 11,425 yards in his career. But one statistic that stands out nearly as much as his passing yards is his interceptions. He has thrown one interception for about every 164 passes. He threw 24 interceptions last year and has 46 in two years, compared with 30 TDs. Part of the problem may have been the run-and-shoot offense, a highrisk and high-excitement offense that depends heavily on a quarterback's athletic ability to make plays while on the run. The offense also emphasizes downfield passing and doesn't offer much variety other than a standard one-running back set. This year, the Gamecocks have scrapped the run-and-shoot in favor of a multiple, or pro style, offense similar to that run by the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. The new offense will feature a multitude of different sets, from one running back and four ISC-FM ""SPECIAF OFFER I 2 f oir 1 Haircuts I m^'wRMSPECIAL J complete with cut and style j rang nstr or cnemicaiiy treated : hair slightly higher WOLFF SYSTEM { TANNING SPECIAL j 3 months $64.99 payments available in three installments | NG r 6th at 4:00 pm. Blossom Street a .r^r\ -7.r\r\ *KUU |JHI - I .uu pm. 1:00 pm. :00 noon at Booker I Bill Boggs 1. maga receivers to three tight ends and two running backs. "I think where the run-and-shooi was almost a reactionary offense where you had to be a good athlete, you have to kind of feel your way through this offense. The (pro style) offense is very efficient, very mechanical," Ellis said. "We should be more balanced." Whether the offensive change will j mean fewer interceptions is a question only the season will answer. Ellis can't be blamed for every interception he's thrown. But no one knows better than Ellis that playing quarter- back means receiving an unfair amount of praise and criticism. "There's only so many things I really relate as a total thing to me," Ellis said. "Maybe that's terrible, I shouldn't be saying that. That doesn't mean I don't take any responsibility for it. I take responsibility for every interception, even though there are other things that go into it. "Of course I think I threw too many interceptions, but then again I look back and I was disappointed with a lot of the balls I threw. But you know, I put the ball up (432) times last year. That's a lot of times to put the ball into the air. A certain percentage are going to be intercepted." Ellis said he won't let criticism ? about his interceptions or anything else ? get to him. "There's a lot of expectations of me, but I put a lot of pressure on myself," Ellis said. "I don't think jj-' y- * t , %s? * We offer a new coi With 17 years experieri priviledges at local are care setting. A professi personal care in a bea Very low costs compara Insurance accepted upor Other Services Includi *Free pregnancy testing * Early detection pregnai * All gynecological & ot *A11 available birth con 'Problem pregnancy ser *Both local & general a *A11 services are strictly *Student discount rates * Convenient scheduling *Free counseling on pre1 *Ask about our free bir WE CARE I Call 24 H 191 Fr zine c I've heard anything anybody has ever said to me . . . that I haven't counted r\n mvcalf UI1 111 J O VI1 . "You have to realize they're fans. I do the same thing when I watch NBA basketball. I feel I know everything in the world that those guys are doing out there. ... I don't Ellis, DaMs By The Associated Press Quarterbacks Todd Ellis and Dickie DaMasi combined for 297 yards and one touchdown during a 50-minute scrimmage Saturday night. About 2,0(X) people attended the final scrimmage session at Wiifiams-Briee Stadium, where the Gamecocks will open Sept. 3 against the University of North Carolina. "We had some good indi\idual performances out there tonight, both offensively and defensively," USC head coach Joe Morrison said. "I think we're coming along with our offense. It takes time to put in your complete offense, but we showed improvement from previous scrimmages." Ellis was 12-17 for 143 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Anthony Parlor. Demasi connected on six of nine passes for 154 yards until he was - $ .. . > Uf" )m$i :: m" J* J?, ' I 'f * ' ' - AI t ' < t? ' '' ' !l ' '"XI *Mr * ' '/^ BBBBH Aw'/e photo ?^~fL ts-znatLvs. c^~f zaXtfz ^Szzu-Lczi icept on feminine health car Lee in OB-CjYN care ana a hospital in order to off onal and compassionate s utiful "new" office. tively i approval e: rtcy testing >stetrical services & referral trol methods vices & referral nesthesia available confidential to meet your schedule - evening ; mention & services with referral as th control pill program. ENOUGH TO BE THERE , [ours for more information 1-800-533-7170 iarsgate Blvd. Irmo, SC 290 781-7815 :overs resent those people at all. They might have a little more ignorance of the game, but they just say what they feel. "And the same people who are booing you when you throw an interception are the same ones screaming when you throw a touchdown." isi sparkle m sidelined with a bruised knee for the remainder of the evening. Junior running back Harold Green rushed for 19 yards on four carries and caught two passes for 41 yards. Sophomore running back Mike Dingle scored the night's other touchdown on a two-yard run. He rushed for a total of 18 yards and caught three passes for 35 yards. Defensively, junior end David Taylor made five tackles and broke up one pass. Senior linebacker Derrick Little made six tackles, while senior defensive end Kevin Hendrix and junior free safety Keith McDonald made five tackles each. Morrison is hopeful that several offensive linemen now injured will be ready for next week's season opener. "We've got some guys bruised up on the line, especially at the tackle position." Morrison said. "We need to get those folks healthy this week." - " ?n 4 i- ? * Air Correll? The volleyball rolls off the fingertips of Lady Gamecock Tammy Correll (No. 2), as Stephanie Phluheupt (No. 11) looks on during a game last season. Big things are happening to the Lady Gamecocks and head coach Bonnie Kenny this season. The team will travel to two tournaments and be host to two others ? the Carolina Classic starting Sept. 9 and the Gamecock Invitational in November, in addition to its regular Metro Conference schedule. The Lady Gamecocks travel to Rock Hill Sept. 7 to open their season against Winthrop College, and then return home to play Western Carolina, N.C. State, William and Mary and West Virginia in the two day Classic, Sept. 9 and 10. e & atmosphere hospital and surgery er a complete health itaff ensuring private ippt. available isistance if necessary FOR YOU & help 63