The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 07, 1994, HOMECOMING EDITION, Page 13, Image 13
Gamecock fans
Go Gamecocks!
USC's football season has started 4-1, the best
in my three years here, and I am just as excited as
the next fan. But just as much as I am thrilled at
our great beginning, I am cautious not to get overly
ecstatic.
Take this weekend's srame aerainst East Caroli
na. Now their 2-2 record may not seem intimidating,
but six points separate them from 4-0. Three
point losses to Syracuse and at Duke show they are
better than most expect.
Many people feel this game should be automatic
and we'll be 5-1 going into the Mississippi State
game. Just as Brad Scott has told the team week
in and week out that we have to take one game at
a time and not worry about bowls or the next opponent.
The Gamecocks are fifth in the nation in turnover
ratio. ECU happens to be first with 13 interceptions.
Their quarterback is passing an average of
226 yards per game. USC is only averaging 192.6
yards a game. I'm not saying we are outclassed by
any means, but underestimating your opponent can
swing the advantage the other way.
Carolina will have to run the ball down the
throats of the ECU defensive line, which should be
their weakest point. They are giving up an average
of 119 yards on the ground this season. Brandon
and Stanley should break out for the big runs we
all know they can make.
Now not to dwell on the facts, the Gamecocks
have won two big games on the road and in the
fourth quarter no less. We owed the Wildcats one
after last year's crumbling in the fourth. The win
in LSU was great, but we are not in a bowl yet.
USC needs at least two more wins and a winning
SEC record to get there. Last year, when we
beat Georgia between the hedges, I started makGO
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Jit*, JIMMY DeBUTTS
mjp.:" Sports Editor
ing plans for New Year's Day. The scars are still
visible so I won't allow myself to celebrate prematurely
again. If, by the grace of God, we do make il
to a bowl, I will celebrate the hardest and longest
but not until that day.
All I can say about a bowl is school should be
shut down the day after we are invited, because the
parties won't be over until then anyway. When
Coach Scott was named to replace Sparky, I was
happy we got someone from a winning program,
but I really did not expect results as good as this sc
soon.
I doubt Coach Scott thought he'd see these kind
of results this year. His system from top to bottom
has put the Gamecocks in a position to win ever}
game this year. Conditioning has really improved
the Carolina davers. This season it looks like our
offensive line is stronger in the second half than ir
the first. Defensively, the intensity never falls.
This year I'm not going to fantasize about going
to a bowl, but I will revel in the facts:
Fact No. 1: Stacy Evans was named SEC Defensive
Player of the Week Sept. 12 for his play
against the Arkansas Razorbacks. (Danny Ford,
have we improved yet? 4-1 to 2-3,1 think so.)
Fact No. 2: Steve Taneyhill was named SEC Offensive
Player of the Week for his play against the
Kentucky Wildcats.
Fact No. 3: USC has outscored its last four opponents
50-3 in the second half.
XT? A. TTCr< V. ,J 1CU.,.U + ?
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Join us on
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only four interceptions. Last year, Taneyhill had
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I - October 9
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11 ECU, not bowl
only six touchdown passes and 14 interceptions.
1 1994? 8 TD's, 3 INTs.
Fact No. 5: Clemson is 2-2 heading into Athens.
Go Bulldogs!! (Hi Miles. Good move, not!!)
Fact No. 6: Brandon Bennett is averaging 152
all-purpose yards a game.
I Fact No. 7: Monty Means has two touchdown
catches.
Fact No. 8: Reggie Richardson has three interim
ceptions.
Fact No. 9: Stacy Evans has seven sacks, six
quarterback pressures and three tackles for losses,
j He has 28 tackles (22 solo), recovered a fumble,
blocked a punt and broken up a pass. He is just
, three sacks behind the USC record of 10 in a season
set in 1982 by Andrew Provence. Last year, Staj
cy had eight. I hope I haven't jinxed you Stacy, roll
on.
ract ino. iu: u&u nas won its last iy homecoming
L games.
r The players did their job the last two Saturday's
I by winning on the road. Let's do ours as fans and
fill the stadium. Don't be a fair weather fan. SupL
port the team. Cheer loud and often. Every third
down for ECU, get on your feet. Have confidence in
r Coach Scott and the players; they have earned it.
I hope tomorrow's game won't have to be decided
in the fourth quarter. If things keep going like
r they are, by the Clemson game I'm going to have a
ulcer from all the close games. I guess I won't mind
so much if we do make it to a bowl, just as long as
I get out of the hospital before New Year's.
Lastly, I want to repeat what I said earlier?
take things for what they are. Celebrate the wins,
don t iook aneaa, take it game by game and don t
overly criticize. Follow these rules and keep your
t expectations realistic (i.e. win Saturday then worry
about Mississippi State, etc.).
OCKS
i 11 ?i A .on
wciuuei li
;ell House Ballroom
for the
ERMENT FAIR
:e of organizations
mens interests at (JSC.
y the Women Students'
1 Womens Student Services,
'ormation call 777-5780
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254 Harbiso
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All-American swimming trio
making big splash in the SEC
LIZAACIERNO Staff Writer Valery's department," she said.
The Ail-American trio of Sara Hen- Sophomore freestylist Valery
ninger, Valery Calkins and Michelle Calkins has her sight set on the
McCarthy is the core of the USC Olympics. She has earned All-Amerwomen's
swim team, land they hope *ca h?nors by placing 11th and 15th
to make a bier splash in the upcoming NCAAs, as well as SEC honors
season ~ * by placing second in the 200-and 500Seniorbreaststroke
specialist Sara met?r freestyle at the SEC champiHenninger
achieved all her collegiate ons^1P-. .
goals by setting team records, con- Calkins is a marine science major
tributing to the team and becoming a.n c^ose USC because of its facilian
All-Ameriqan. She originally chose *"les" , ,. T
USC because of head coach Kelly Park- . ^1 *?
er Medlin's coaching style and the at- mmg is that last year>i missed two
mosphere of unity on the team. weeks of sch?o1 ^ 1 wa? c?mPet*
Henninger also sought to escape mS internationally. It really had an
Ohio's cold winters. ~ * effect on my grades," she said.
"The Junior
i v. i ' Michelle
in Ohio "Swimming is such a hard sport because McCarthy
that had a it's so individualized; you're competing was elected
swto- gainst the ell,e of the e,|te.- ^
gram was JJSC All-American swimmer Michelle McCarthy the 1994-95
Ohio State, season. She
arvrJ if uroc inef fnn Vm rrn ** oVto eoi/i 0I1CG WSS
One '^ratinVmomenUnVaraV undecided between USC and Michicareer
was her freshman year when S311 ^ c 3e because this team
she false-started three times in the was cl?sernational
qualifiers. , "I get along best with other ath"I
was upset at the time, but I can let3s ,atschoo! ^ause training causlook
back on it and laugh now," she es delirium and we all follow similar
ggjjj traimng schedules, she said.
Her proudest moment was her Michelle plans to attend the 96
sophomore year when she dropped tnals- Stl6 PJaCed the
four seconds off her time and quali- Olympic trials, but only the top
fied for the NCAA championships, two make the team.
Sara is currently a psychology ma- Swimming is such a hard sport
jor and wants to workvdth athletes because it's so individualized; you're
after she graduates. She plans on re- competing against the elite of the elite,
tiring from swimming competitively. , e P1? great Part is, though,
Tve accomplished everything I set that the[? ? always another event or
out to accomplish; the Olympics are meet look forward toI
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