The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 14, 1990, Page 10, Image 10
Clemson head coach
strives for perfection
By STEVE JOHNSON
Staff Writer
Judging by the words of Clemson football Coach Ken Hatfield, you'd
never guess that he is the head coach of a bowl-bound team with an 8-2
record, ranked No. 17 in the nation.
"Until the offense and defense play up to their capabilities, we've still
got a lot of work to do," he said.
The Tigers' defense is ranked first in the nation thanks to stars like
UnnKooUn, IkTi~U D?i:_- --.J :? /"?i?
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Gardocki is ranked fourth in punting average and sixth in field goal percentage
in the nation.
Clemson also has their own version of the "Rocket" in return man
Doug Thomas who is averaging 36.6 yards per kickoff return and has
broken two of his eight returns for touchdowns.
But Hatfield is a perfectionist.
Despite the successes he has enjoyed in his first year as head coach at
Clemson, Hatfield has drawn criticism from reporters and fans alike after
pre-season predictions forecasted an undefeated team vying for a shot at
the national title.
These hopes have proved to be unrealistic for a program that has
undergone the changes that Clemson has since January's NCAA investigation
into Tiger recruiting violations.
"I think change is hard on anybody," Hatfield said. "It's very hard for
iciuxiii pcupic iu uiange occausc uicy ve oeen successiui ai 11 (Winning
football games) another way."
Born in Helena, Ark., Hatfield attended the University of Arkansas
where he was named second-team All-America at cornerback as a senior
in 1964. After serving as an assistant coach at Tennessee and the Air
Force Academy, Hatfield was named the head coach of Air Force in
1979. He brought their program to national prominence while leading the
Falcons to two straight bowl games and was named National Coach of
the Year in 1983.
He returned to his alma mater in 1984, where he led the Razorbacks to
six straight bowl appearances and was voted the Southwestern Coach of
the Decade in 1989. In 12 seasons as a head coach, Hatfield has amassed
a record of 90-50-2.
A professed born-again Christian, Hatfield points to a strong personal
relationship with Jesus Christ as the foundation by which he has accomplished
everything he has in life, both public and private.
After picking up a milestone 90th win two weeks ago against the University
of North Carolina, Hatfield is now concentrating on Saturday's
intra-state battle between the Tigers and USC.
"I think there's a lot of pride involved in this ballgame. There's supposed
to be a great crowd. There's an emotional crowd everytime they
play. I think Clemson is fired up and ready to play," Hatfield said.
When asked to evaluate himself and his team in 1990 Hatfield said, "I
think my personality has blended and mixed with the team as the year
has ffOne alnnp fV.rtainlv thp. tpams u/p'vp lnct tr? hhvp had nrpttv onnH
.... gun. ..u..fc. U.U IUU...U ,.V ,v ^ ..u.^
years. (Virginia) has only lost one and (Georgia Tech) has not lost yet.
We pulled off two close ballgames against two of the best teams in
America."
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Admission: $5.00-Stuc
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Friday, November 16th, 1990 from 8 p.m. to Midnight
RAP NIGI4T AT CLUB SPUR '
Saturday, November 17th, from 9 p.m. to Midnight The Contemporai
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File photo
Former USC quarterback Todd Ellis fires a pass against the Tigers
in the 1988 clash at Death Valley. The Gamecocks travel to
Clemson Saturday for the annual rivalry with the Tigers. Kickoff is
at 1 p.m.
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jse room 209. Duck Head pants of pure cotton
Fees. washed twill. 11 navy, khaki, or
I use defeat
in "dream"
There I was, sitting at home
watching the big game on TV,
while listening to the radio. Bob
Fulton was ringing in my ear: "It's
a beautiful day for Carolina football,"
(as if there has ever been a
I nasty day).
Anyway, I couldn't believe it.
Were the Lame ? uh, excuse me e
? Gamecocks really only down c
by six points in the fourth quarter? c
I must be dreaming (ouch, I guess t
nnU ;
1
Clemson was driving late, Fulton
was getting nervous. c
"And Blunt takes the pitch, he's to
the 25, the 20, all the way down to ]
the 19-yard line."
I clenched my teeth. It's third
down and one with the ball spotted d
on the 19-yard line.
'This has got to be the biggest h
play of the game for Carolina, s
They have got to stop this Clem- l
son drive as only two minutes are o
left in the contest. USC has played
a whale of a ball game, isn't that y
right, Tommy? Well, Clemson is r
set, Blunt takes the pitch and he's v
hit hard by Corey Miller on the a
line for no gain. Fourth down. The v
ever sure Gardocki and the Tiger
kicking unit will come out as the o
clock winds down to 1:48." b
Sweat was pouring down my h
face. If Moo U scores now, the h
game is over. I did a quick Hail ai
Mary, wiped my brow and listened 1
intently to Don Williams who is f<
under the goalpost to make the call T
on what should he a sure three R
points. s<
"And there's the snap, the hold
and the kick is blocked, no good." u]
Fulton chimes in, "Bru Pender hi
broke through the line, blocked the
ball and Corey Miller fell on it. bx
Gamecock ball on the 21-yard line
with 1:30 left in the game."
My prayers were answered. la
But could Fuller and company I
Call The Gamecoc
1 1
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.2
D PANTS.,
m BEST FRIEND. He fixed J
in his art history class. \bti Jr
t asking, He even lets yen#
> > %,
id nants when voiirs
dry. Wh&j&gi^ ^
'H i ?ill Wsmm
1 f?fvv':5? A or ? '-..
'
' ' " v. ""'** '%;: %
K:9^H gff?::ft,:::;;:v^W
< ,
i brushed twill. In navy, khaki, or huntei
olive, 27.00. Waist sizes 28-38, inseam 3C
:s Tigers
game
r> 1
I m c!
Richard Rowell
Pep Talk
mgineer a 79-yard game-winning
lrive on the No. 1 defense in the
:ountry? Another prayer, a wipe of
he brow and again I listened
ntensly.
Pass to Brooks 10 yards, first
town, 1:24.
Fuller incomplete to Pitchko,
,L\J.
Dingle run, five yards, 1:08.
Fuller to Miller, 11 yards, 1st
lown, :58.
"And fuller drops back to pass,
e's pushed out of the pocket and
acked for a loss of five yards.
JSC uses their next to last time
ut with 42 seconds remaining."
We have 42 seconds to go 58
ards. No way. I go to turn off the
adio and TV, but something preents
me. The next thing I know,
n event bigger than Brad Edwards'
1987 interception happens.
"The Gamecocks send four reeivers
out. Rob DeBoer is in the
ackfield. Fuller takes the snap,
ands to DeBoer. He has a hole,
e hits it, breaks a tackle, and
nother, he's to the 30, the 25, the
5, and tripped up...he keeps his
jet, and falls into the endzone,
OUCHDOWN CAROLINA. Deoer
with a 58-yard romp ties the
;ore at 13 all."
This was incredible. I jumped
p and down, yelled, screamed,
art myself.
Wait, what's that noise. It keeps
jeping ....
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.
Oh eosh- what time is it? I'm
te for my 8 a.m. class again. And
was having such a good dream.
k at 777-7726
mm
/ A
r green, 32.00. Pure cotton
I,32, or 34. In Young Men's.