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Free safety F leads (JSC's By Jeremy Garlington Outstanding defensive efforts are often taken for granted by Gamecock football fans. With much of the attention being given to Todd Ellis and his spectacular passing efforts, little recognition or praise has been given to the individuals who have contributed to USC's superb defensive showing this season. Senior free safety Ron Rabune is one such player. Rabune, from La Palma, Calif., is the leading tackier on the Gamecock defense and recorded a career-high 17 tackles against Georgia last Saturday, in perhaps his best performance as a collegian. On the season, Rabune has 48 tackles, 16 ahead of the secondleading Gamecock tackier, fellow senior Derrick Frazier. ror nis penormance againsi Georgia, Rabune was named defensive player of the game by the USC coaching staff. Nevertheless, he feels his personal performance is a reflection of a total team effort. "We took nothing for granted against Georgia," said Rabune. "Anytime you take a run-oriented team such as Georgia out of its running game and force them to pass, you've got to feel good about your performance." Furthermore, Rabune claims most of his tackles can be attributed to both the defensive line making things happen in the backfield and the fact USC has played predominantly runoriented offenses this season. This week's homecoming game against Apalachian State will be Rabune's last chance to enjoy the annual event as a player, and he hopes history will repeat itself. "Obviously, I'm glad we have not Inst a homecoming eame since I've been here, and I don't want that to change." Rabune also commented that he has yet to miss Cockfest, an annual homecoming pep rally at WilliamsBrice Stadium. After a redshirt year, Rabune played mostly on special teams and as a reserve strong safety his freshman and sophomore seasons. Last year, as a junior, he played a back-up role to All-America free safety Brad Edwards, now a member of the National Football League's Minnesota Vikings. Despite his lack of playing time before this season, Rabune said even if he had it to do over again, he would stick with his decision to attend USC, although he was also pursued by VAT.T IMTF.FRS^/,^ Help Us Help You. + American Red Cross S.C. Regional Blood Services Office of Volunteers 256-2301 Ion Rabune '50' defense perennial college football power UCLA. "Once I made my first visit to USC, my mind was made up to come here," said Rabune. "The people here are great, and I've made great friends from the very beginning." As the Gamecocks head into this week's game, Rabune is filled with confidence and the satisfaction of being the leading tackier on the No. 8 team in the nation, but says this week's game with the Mountaineers will be approached much like all the others. "We were very satisfied with our performance against Georgia, but we must also remember that on any given day any team can beat us." Ron Rabune will certainly try to keep that from happening. iFTC The Country 5ty ANYMEI (Except Ki Pleat praoit this coupon before ordering One order per coupoi CuMomtt mutt pay uiy sales tai due. Norgood in combtnanot Offer food only at participating "TCiV. uora. Cash value: Offer Expires: Oct. 15, Three Conveni I Five Points 2020 Devine St. 256-0838 Across Fro 1722 Broa 798a WE^U^^A PETS AND Exotic Fresh Wat Marine Fish S And all the supp Sine SALE~ON~55~ TANKS, Reg. $269 10 % Discount to U.S.C. Students Q ( (Does not apply to Specials) < 2732 Devine Street HPI H^wfl He |n BL/^^j^H^pr ||^ft^aflHHHraj?^^^Hj||flpx jar ^|HH k gJH[m|^M^H I JHHr ^IP wgjgjMnjjiB jag * ' USC senior free safety Ron Rabune tackles a North Carolina ba BV" 10 V Best Yogurt* *W OFF \ W ITEM. > ddie Cup) ^ npeT customer per vwt. "Trou" III I ) with inv other offer*. I I ;X?oficent. I %? # 1988 The Country V Best Yitgurl? ent Locations: L Ashland Park H 612 St. Andrews Rd. 798-4141 m Dutch Sq. d River Rd. -4972 & r rvv i$~ \ . hav \\ i app FULL LINE OF i ces PET NEEDS! er r isn Keptiies mall Animals Birds I ^ lies you can dream of j ^ JL e 1941 GALLON FISH AND TOPS .00 NOW ? 9.00 ; < 799-0029 Jl JP| i ^ ^ -> %|^ K. ^ f^t^' - --* mm^ ^^jBfft^^jBBjBp ^BBKfe';^ r tSHHIHBHBHRHBHBhHHHI BRIAN SA ULS/The Gamecock illcarrier in (JSC's season-opening 31-10 win. C- 6 s 'f k <not krf* the Stri P I itomated Plasma Center - ^ [ Faster and Safe"^^ j lew donors or any donors that <5^0^ ! en't donated in 30 days can I i $20.00 on first donation. j ointment necessary, but pro- j sing is faster with one. \ mr 0 with this ""I coupon. I Columbia Plasma Center 1916 Taylor Street ^ 954-6683 or 954 6684 ???????? _i