Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Senior's "ea By PATRICK VILLEGAS Staff Writer Gamecock placekicker Collin Mackie began tightening his laces to kick when he was 12 years old. While the other little league teams would attempt scoring two points after a touchdown, Mackie was the lone kicker booting the extra point. "I remember kicking extra points when everybody else would go for two. It was unique, and it gave me a good feeling," Mackie said. Nine years later, Mackie, a senior, is still kicking those extra ^ points. Hitting 95 extra points out of 96 attempts in his college career, he is South Carolina's alltime career scoring leader, and is climbing his way up to AllAmerican status. Mackie is recognized as one of the nation's premier kickers, and he will most likely feature his ta tents tnis Saturday in nis lasi Homecoming game at Carolina. "It is a special game. Everybody is coming "home," shall we say, in the Homecoming game," he said. "You want to put on a good show." But despite the surrounding hoopla and activities during Homecoming week, Mackie said his concentration is focused solely on the Pirates of East Carolina. A Man's Gotta Do What A Man's Gotta Do All young men have one responsibility in common. They have to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. It's quick. It's easy. And it's the law. A public service message of this publication and Selective Service Svstem Adventure Carolina IncX^ ca?LSs'clo33 796-4505 rly" practice Colin Mackie "It's another game. We're concentrating on East Carolina," he said. "The Homecoming game is something more or less for the fans, the USC students, and the alumni." Although USC leads the overall series 7-0 against East Carolina, * i ~ r>: * * iviacKic kiiuws uic ruaies are nui the same Homecoming "patsies" as in years past, and should not be taken lightly. "When you see they have played Florida State and Virginia Tech, they haVe had close games with both of those teams," he said. "We have played Virginia Tech, and it was a close game. I can't sit and say,'Yeah, it's going to be an easy game,' because it's not, East CarGe H Joii I * 636 Harden St 779-7979 Cure your mu large pepp (from 8 pm end of Draft Beer Special All ABC Regulations Enforced 3 pays off ! olina is going to be a tough team." j Mackie remembers his first | game against the Pirates in 1987, f when his kicking skills and morale had taken a dive. "My freshman year when we j played East Carolina, I think I went two-for-five in that game. | I'd gone into a slump, and I felt \ like I had. But this year I'm hoping to change all that," he said. As for Mackie's kicking game, many critics feel he has the leg for field goals and extra points, but his kickoffs are inconsistent and lack depth. Mackie agrees somewhat, but feels he has greatly improved over the summer months. Looking into his future, Mackie has had fhniiphts mnrp.rnina nrn fessional football, but he is not heavily relying on it. "As far as NFL goes, if it happens, it happens. I'm not going to sit back and rely on that. Kickers are always in and out in the NFL, and it's not a very permanent job unless you're really, really good," he said. "I'm just out here to do the best I can do, and as long as I feel like I've put in the amount of effort as I need to, that is 100 percent, I'm happy with myself." f Involvec <\ /M C4-I 1^1/ ! 1 U OIUUC >nday Night Football See the action on a 6 ft screen and win $50 CASH for guessing the correct score! inchies with a eroni pizza game - Dine-In Only) ONLY $095 , J 9 f j t -*i t A 1 j ^ j .^.*j " ' llgpiig IHfc *|ll&f?" ': ' v.- flflP''' v,"' ? '" y'^-^v iS^Sa ... .: - .'. . ' <{'^' . ;: nit.? WKL^rnmmmMM " wjfr ^ * ^Hi ... -- '' : IBHilii I ' m&SSBRRSffl >>* awfiw USC placekicker Colin Mackie boot! cocks' loss to Georgia Tech. Mackie scoring with 275 points. 1... int Organi; mini tuc wini UUIIY mCWM Costumes, wigs, make up, masks < wing you ii neea 10 mane a u Adult and children sizes, 01 BHBH; StQQQLJQBEBElElEQSQBOGlBflEElGJBI i Wjj? ! \J Renee Me. s a field goal in the Gameholds the school record for nation!! JL'SCLUB! ind accessories.. .everyisting impression! 7/y at CROMER'S 1235 Assembly St.* 779-2290 Dutch Square Mall 772-8877 k Some supplies limited