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londay, August 19,1996 Gamecock BRYAN JOHNSTON Asst. Sports Editor Mi job Well, folks, if s that time again. While the temperatures vill start to slowly decrease and the month of September ag{ approaches, they bring with them two things: 1) the start of Br school and 2) the return of college football. at This year's South Carolina Gamecocks football team is We an intriguing one. Usually, a team's season is predictable. Ihafs not the case with this year's team. A lot will depend by an how quickly quarterback Anthony Wright can adjust to the college level. But if people keep wishing Taneyhill was here, it will be a long year for both Wright and the Gamecocks, ke] The defense is also a question marie. Last year, they were mi awful. They were ranked last in the SEC in points allowed and 11th of 12 teams against the run and pass. The defense coi must improve is hoping for a bowl game. coi One difficulty for the team is their schedule. They need Bo to rack up early victories because they finish the season with some tough opponents. After easy games against Central inl Florida, East Carolina and Mississippi State, USC finishes Ga the season against Tennessee, Florida and Clemson. it < Keep in mind a season consists of 11 games. Some are toss-ups and others could be decided before the teams take the field. For S.C. to go to a bowl, they must win six games. Lefs take a look at the schedule and see what to expect. I Central Florida Sept 7 UCF At A Glance 1995:6-5 Hie 1990s: 44-25 Coach: Gene McDowell At USC and overall: 7649,11 years Returning starters: 15; 6 offense, 7 defense, punter and kicker Players to watch: QB Duante Culpepper; TB Mike Grant; eli LB Nakia Reddick; LB Kendrick Thomas; CB Darryl th Latimore fol Primary strengths: An experienced offensive line and go incoming talent in the wide receiver ranks should elevate po Culpepper's already lofty passing numbers. Potential problems: Without Marquette Smith, UCFs se running game is more of a question mark than a weakness, sh Overview: Much of UCFs success can be attributed to a ] Mike Kruczeks offensive genius. His squads have consistently lo< ranked among the nation's best in total offense and scoring. m A word of advice to the Gamecock's secondary: is Watch out! In his 1995 freshman campaign, Culpepper passed M for 2,071 yards and 12 touchdowns, even with a limited tr receiving unit. This season he will hook up with high school or teammate Kenny Clark and a couple of Juco receivers to offset A'L n.U T7-_: ^ uie Vjroiueil lUllgllt a auBJAXI i uiumig game. UCF loses Marquette Smith, who rushed for a school- D record 1,511 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. ye Middle linebacker Kendrick Thomas possesses an NFL of body (6-3,2401bs.) and skills to match. Nakia Reddick's tt quickness and John Bryanfs toughness complement Thomas tl on the outside. M Central Florida makes the jump from Division I-AA football yj to I-A play as an independent team this year. re Georgia Sept 14 t\ UGA At A Glance b< 1995:6-6 overall, 3-5 SEC (3rd East) A Coach: Jim Donnan First year at Georgia, overall: 64-21-0,6 years ol Returning starters: 14,7 offense, 6 defense, punter S. Flayers to watch: QB Mike Bobo, WR Robert Edwards, H DB Corey Johnson, PDaxLangley, OT Adam Meadows, WR tz Hines Ward di Primary Strengths: The Bulldogs figure they must have bi used up all their injuries last season, so this should be their turn to stay healthy. They have some outstanding talent in the backfield.. I Potential problems: They're not much deeper than last year, when a handful ofkev iniuriee (Topped up and devastated them. The team has lost some swagger, and if the lines aren't fortified, Georgia will be setting itself up for disappointment. Overview: A solid talent base and renewed optimism with new coach Jim Donnan puts Georgia in a nice, building mode. With three home non-league games, the Dogs play seven games at home this season, which never hurts. B ? Offensively, Georgia is loaded at the skill positions. Bobo is a solid quarterback who only needs to get the ball near b receivers Ward and Edwards for a completion. The Bulldogs v are deep at running back with sophomore Torin Kirtsey, a Robert Arnaud and freshman Patrick Pass. Kirtsey and Arnaud filled in for Edwards after his injury 1 and did a good job. At fullback, look for a battle between junior 1 Selma Calloway and junior college transfer Ronnie Bradley. The problem may be in protecting Bobo and opening holes \ for the backs. I They return only two starters. Meadows will anchor the c line at tackle along with sophomore Matt Stinchcomb. Senior I Resty Beadles and junior Antonio Fleming will start at the f guard positions. The center position is up for grabs. On the defensive side of the ball will be a question mark. The secondary could be good, as well as the linebackers. r Johnson brings leadership to the secondary at free safety. I Strong safety Armin Love and comerbacks Alandus Sims i and Ronald Bailey have started, and depth is excellent. Despite losing leading tackier Whit Marshall, the line backing corp i returns Greg Bright and Brandon Tolbert. i TW fVio naa^a onma heln. too. They lost their top ' four ends. Georgia recorded only 25 sacks last year, so getting ] more production at the ends would be a novel idea. Chris ! Terry is the leading returnee, but he had just seven tackles i last season. Punter Dax Langley is a solid player who averaged 39.5 yards last season. i l East Carolina Sept 21 ECU At A Glance 1995:9-3 Coach: Steve Logan; 22-23,4 years Returning starters: 17; 9 offense, 6 defense, kicker, punter Players to watch: QB Marcus Crandell, RB Scott Harley, WR Mitchell Galloway, SS Darren Hart, DT Lorenzo West Offensive strengths: Marcus Crandell has shattered all but one of Jeff Blake's passing records. He has experience savvy and an understanding of coach Logan's complicated offense. A huge crop of talented receivers, led by Galloway, makes him all the more dangerous. Offensive weaknesses: A line lacking experience and depth could put Crandell's mobility to use, and he's at his best when throwing on the run. The backfield also lacks a proven runner. Sophomores Harley, Daiyi Jones and Raymond SPOI f nnthol I" A luuiBjcm- n ibry and true freshman Jamie Wilson will battle for the Re Defensive strengths: The Pirates have speed, Ph jressiveness, confidence and an attitude. Linebackers Carlos LB Mi awn, B J.. Crane and Marvin Burke are experienced. Hart RB Ra strong safety is a menace to opposing running games, and Pr ist has a knack for finding the quarterback. talent, Special teams: Kicker Chad Holcomb has been plagued Lienir inconsistency and punter Matt Levine had a subpar 1995. year. ] Couch The Pirates must establish a threat in the backfield to Jack I pt the pressure off Crandell. That means the offensive line Po ist stay healthy and mature quickly. fives g A soft schedule should give the Pirates their second inferic lsecutive unbeaten season at home. If they can steal a the bai lple of victories on the road, a third consecutive L.iDerty going t wl is likely. 0\ Remember this: the last time East Carolina made a trip Louis1 ;o Williams Brice Stadium, they stole a game from the Wilda imecocks on their homecoming. If USC takes them lightly, seasor :ould happen again. they a games ilississippi State Sept 28 MSU At A Glance Ifs 1995:3-8 overall, 1-7 SEC (6th West) Wildci Coach: J ackie Sherrill take tl At MSU: 28-28-2,5 years is not Overall: 133-73-4,18 years SEC b Returning Starters: 16; 7 offense, 7 defense, punter, left sci kicker get th< Players To Watch: LB Dwayne Curry, NT Eric Dotson, Lee W DT James Grier, LB Paul LaCoste, RB Kefifer McGee, QB Cr Derrick Taite The fr Primary Strengths: The mere fact that the Bulldogs are Colen gible for a bowl game this season should give them strength whoe\ at a lot of people didn't think they would be able to find concer lowing an NCAA investigation. Now they're ready to make Schla od on their renewed life, and they seem to have defensive ipjury tential to make it worth while. He wi Potential Problems: The defense, and particularly the retun condary, wouldn't have to be a lot better than last year to De ow major improvement The unsettled secondary could be are le problem again, but the linebackers-and potentially, the line- last y )k like they have the makings of a good defense. seconc Overview: Will new coordinators on both sides of the ball safety ake much of a difference in Starkville? Coach Jackie Sherrill Supe. feeling the heat, but if s nothing that a quick start against SEC i emphis and Louisiana Tech won't heal heading into the arm.' ip to Columbia (remember, the Gamecocks ran up 65 points i MSU last year). Arl A Quarterback will be a weak point for the Bulldogs. Senior If errick Taite had four of the SEC's 10 longest passes last C jar, including three plays of 80 yards or more, but Taite ten struggles against quality defenses. On the other hand, le running back position will be a strong point. Their top punfc iree backs return, highlighted by durable junior Keffer P [cGee, the SECs fourth-leading rusher last year with 1,072 RB ft irds on 235 attempts. ftlarh Cameron Floyd and Jeremy Jones emerged as the top P :ceivers in the spring workouts. However, they made only the R vo catches between them last season. The offensive line will and t 8 large, led by left tackle Brent Smith, left guard Brad optioi insworth and right guard Henry McCann. other Defensively, State will present some problems for opposing P Tenses. Senior linebacker Dwayne Curry, a two-time All- last 3 EC selection, led the Bulldogs last season in tackles (113). leagu e also recovered two fumbles, caused two fumbles, had 4.5 withe ickles for losses and notched two pass deflections. The T jfensive line and secondary will be young and inexperienced, last 3 at they have a lot of potential. starti toatt start< I at Auburn - Oct 5 abilit Auburn At A dance scien 1995:8-4 overall, 5-3 SEC (2nd West) Coach: Terry Bowden Q At Auburn: 28-5-1,3 years Pete Overall: 92-41-2,12 years J?ne Returning Starters: 14; 5 offense, 9 defense time. Players To Watch: TB Fred Beasley, NT Jimmy tore 1 lrumbaugh,LB Takeo Spikes, WR Willie Goeha, DB ftlartavius with louston, LB ftlarcellus Mostella P Primary Strengths: The Tigers have almost nobody pass ack on offense, but Bowden has never had trouble finding Anth rays to move the ball, and in Beasley he's got what looks like retui first-rate tailback. The defense has a lot of experience, left { Potential Problems: The offensive line is far from settled. And Tie loss of tackle Willie Anderson to the NFL early will really I lurt. stroi ! A.,1 ; *1? c j_ ?j v/verview; auuuih 10 un hie vcigc ui a. Giuoaiutiua, aiiu gutu vill have to get some veteran play from young quarterback sack )ameyune Craig and inspired performances by an unimpressive Mar lefense to remain among the SECs powerhouses this season. But] n its last three games, the defense has been pushed around Whi or 101 points. exce c If s finally quarterback Dameyune Craig's time to shine, tear Fhe exciting redshirt junior will lead the Tigers this year. Ark Speedy Fred Beasley moves from fullback to tailback. Beasley good -ushed for 346 yards and five TDs on 66 carries and caught the i LI passes for 194 yards and another score. The receiving unit vill be strong as senior Willie Gosha and junior Tyrone Goodson a( -eturn, The two had 95 catches for 1,265 yards between them. 1 Ihe offensive line is the big question mark. Many of the ] positions are still to be fought over as the season approaches. ( Senior guard Leonard Thomas leads the race going into the 3eason. On the other side of the ball, the Tigers should be much ] improved. The front three of ends Mark Smith and Shannon ] Suttle, and nose tackle Jimmy Brumbaugh will line up for CB1 the Tigers. Outside linebackers Teriy Soloman and Marcellus DE Mostella, All-SEC candidates, and flanker Takeo Spikes in ] the middle will be solid. Junior cornerback Larry Melton goo< returns to the secondary with safeties Charles Rose and left Martavius Houston. Houston, who moved into the starting the job as a freshman, was the big playmaker. The strong safety sysl was the team's third-leading tackier with 94. He broke up prei five passes and was among those with an interception. Rose made 64 tackles and knocked down four passes. Melton real supported the run well, making 66 stops and breaking up 11 opti passes. no 1 at Kentucky - Oct 12 Do\ Kentucky At A Glance tha 1995:4-7 overall, 2-6 SEC (5th East) Coach: Bill Curry At Kentucky: 22-45,6 years Th< ITS re you r Overall: 79-98-4,16 years turning Starters: 11; 5 offense, 5 defense, jyers To Watch: SS Leman Boyd, WR/KR Kio i ke Schellenberger, LB Lamont Smith, WR Crai| y McLaurin imary Strengths: The Wildcats have some gooc with guys like wideout Yeast and offensive tackl ig rating among the best freshmen in the leaf Now they've got the top QB recruit in the natior . If he doesn't play, it will only be because juni laskins improves. tential Problems: This is a program that \* fames over the past two seasons, so it must bi ?rity complex in the SEC East. They haven't 11 well under Curry, which will have to change if o make the big strides necessary to stabilize the p orviAw; With the onenincr cames aeainst b< -- ... - . _i a o ? w rille, Cincinnati and Indiana (as well as a b; its could be 2-1 or even 3-0 after the first mont 1. If they have built some confidence and corn in weather a tough midseason schedule and w i than they lost in 1996. i just a matter of time until Tim Couch takes c at offense. Couch, the high school All-Americ le reigns as soon as he is ready. While the QB ] a problem, the running back one is. After los ack Moe Williams to the early NFL draft, Ken rambling for a replacement. Raymond McLau i first shot. Two redshirt freshman, Anthony W1 esley, are also in the picture, aig Swift will lead a vastly-improved receivii eshman All-SEC member joins Kio Sanford tan and Marvin Love to provide inviting tarj rer is playing quarterback. The offensive line n due to injury and disciplinary actions. Juni rman, Kentucky's top lineman, suffered a maj r in spring practice, and his availability is in q 11 probably switch from center to left guard \ is. Sophomore Jason Watts will step in at cent fensively, they are young and lack depth. The lini d bv Mike Schellenbereer. who led the team ir ear. The other two LB spots are up for gra lary is rebuilding but will be led by Van Hiles an ' Leman Boyd. The defensive line is led by left e Supe got off to a fast start last year and was le n sacks through three games before suffering j He is back at full speed and should be a force. Kansas Oct 19 rkansas At A Glance 8-5 overall, 6-2 SEC (1st West) oach; Danny Ford Arkansas: 17-17-1,3 years Overall: 113-47-4,14 yearsB13; 7 offense, 4 sr, kicker layers to watch: DT Geno Bell, WR Anthony 1 ladre Hill, WR Anthony Lucas, RB Oscar Ma ; Smith rimaiy strengths Assuming their knees are all azoibacks have some real quality and depth at heir wide receivers will give any quarterback is. Also their kicking game offers Arkansas an < teams envy. otential problems: With such a senior-dominai ^ear, this looks like the least experienced tea e. The Hogs need to find a quarterback to run th >ut being too chancy. his team came through marvelously in its ke rear, but most of its key veterans are gone. F ng over from scratch, but the program cannot be ain comparable success this year with only 14 r irs. One thing the Hogs can draw from last sea y to win close games, which is something the] ce of in 1995. uarterback is a big question mark for the Ra2 Burks will get the preseason not but freshm s and Clint Stoerner should see considerable Madre Hill is back after a stellar 1995 year, igaments in his knee, he had set a school rushh 1,387 yards. etumine for Arkansas are two of the league's b< catchers in junior Anthony Eubanks and so] lony Lucas. On the line, the Hogs have three *ning in senior left tackle Carlos Showers, so juard Russ Brown and senior right tackle1 arson. )efensively, the line and linebackers should h lg players, but overall the defense is questions d Geno Bell made 89 tackles last season, inclu s, but the Hogs will have two new ends and a n< k Smith will be the anchor at outside linebackf kus Award nominee, he should be a finalist I le Smith will get most of the attention, his p llent as well. Senior Vincent Bradford was second behind Sm a in tackles with 97 and runner-up in solo stop ansas lost all four secondary starters, but that i thing. The Hogs allowed an SEC-high 2,659 yarc air ; Vanderbilt Oct 25 /anderbilt At A Glance 1995:2-9 overall, 1-7 SEC (6th East) "oach: Rod Dowhower At Vandy: 2-9,1 year Overall: 7-14-1,2 years Returning starters: 16; 5 offense, 10 defen: Players to watch: QB Damian Allen, DE Brit Corey Chavous, LB Jamie Duncan, DT Matt Sc Jay Stallworth Primary strengths: The defense has experie i idea of what ifs trying to do - which is pick u off last year, when it limited Tennessee to 15 last game of the season. Also, the second year ii " ~ ? "T -J. nffor .em, especially Downowers west v.w?u?v 3umably be more productive than the first. Potential problems: The Commodores contin I challenges in making the offensive transitic on to Dowhower's open, balanced attack. There rue wideouts hanging around until recruits a] Overview: And with excellent experience o vhower and Vandy ought to find marginally mi n they experienced last season. When the Commodores play, they hope ifll be 1 iir offense won't score much and they hope th< 25 eady for it? can hold down the opponents score. Offensively, Damian Allen punter steps in at QB. He doesn't have much experience and struggles Sanford, with his interceptions. I Yeast, Four players are vying for the R-back slot, including juniors Marcus Forrest, Tyrone Yarbrough and Marcus A. Williams, 1, young and redshirt freshman Alvin Duke, a converted receiver. The e Jonas receivers won't be that much better as Duane Todd and Robert CimmAno o r\an/>iln/1 in oo o^onfnra TTnfnnfnn q^aIv fnn JUC I as t UiiilXiiV/llO aic ytliwiwu ill wo mc ovui vvi a, v xuui bvuxaw/ij iui i in 11m Vandy fans, the offensive line will be even worse. Left tackle or Billy Allen DeGraffenreid and center Jim Anguiano are the lone returning starters. ron just The defense should be much, much improved. It should ittle an considering they only lost one starter. The front-four will be thrown solid led by two-year starters left tackle Matt Schuckman f they're and right end Brian Boykin. Linebacker Jamie Duncan is an rogram. NFL prospect and led the Commodores in tackles with 120. eatable He's the team's strongest player, lifting 1,405 total pounds pe), the in bench, squat and power dean. The entire secondary returns, h of the Strong safety Eric Vance, free safety DeReal Finklin and tinuity, comerback Corey Chavous will be the leaders in the defensive in more backfield. Also watch out for punter Bill Marinangel. With his average of 42.7 yards ranking second in the SEC and 16th nationally, >ver the Vanderbilt was 10th in the country in net punting and first :an will in the league. Marinangel boomed a career-best 70-yard effort position against Notre Dame, ing Alltuckyis Tennessee Nov. 2 rin will UT At A Glance lite and 1995:11-1 overall, 7-1 SEC (2nd East) Coach: Phillip Fulmer ig unit. At UT and overall: 32-7-1,4 years , Kevin Returning starters: 15; 7 offense, 6 defense, kicker, ?ets for punter is a big Players to watch: RB Jay Graham, LB Tyrone Hines, or John WR Joey Kent, DE Leonard Little, QB Peyton Manning, FS jor knee Jason Parker uestion. Primary strengths: This team knows how to win, with vhen he 28 victories in the past three season, and it has the best ;er. quarterback in the country. The Vols are experienced in a lot ebackers of areas, and look like they're ready to make a big run. They i tackles get both Florida and Alabama at home, bs. The Potential problems: Losing their best three offensive d strong linemen from last season hurts. Its fair to call this a "patchwork" ind Kurt offensive line, which is unusual in Knoxville. Also, they'll have ading in to develop some reliable receivers to go with Kent, i broken Overview: The early game against Florida (Sept. 21) gets things into gear quickly. If the offensive line comes around soon enough to control UCLA on Sept. 7, the Vols will roll confidently into that showdown. In the past three years, they're 0-3 against Fulmer, 28-4-1 against everybody else. With a quarterback like Peyton Manning leading the offense, expectations have to be high. The best quarterback : defense, in the nation is the front-runner for the Heisman, but he is also surrounded by talent. At running back, Jay Graham is Subanks, a silent force. His 1,438 yards last year were gained in the lone, LB shadow of Manning. Manning will also have the luxury of throwing to one of the nation's premier wide-out, Joey Kent, repaired, He caught a school-record 69 passes for 1,055 yards and 9 tailback, touchdowns last year. The only problem will be the line, plenty of Several upperclassmen with varying levels of experience 3dge that figure into the mix. On the other side of the ball, watch out for number one. -' ted team The 6-3,230 defensive end is one of the best players in the m in the SEC. Just ask Steve Taneyhill. After harassing Taneyhill all le offense game Taneyhill remarked, "That guy coming off the end is special." Little had a team-high 11 sacks last season. Senior y games Tyrone Hines is a fixture at middle linebacker but the other ord isn't two spots are concerns for the Vols. In the secondary, Jason expected Parker returns to free safety where his hard tackling is needed, eturning The other spots are also up in the air. son is an The bottom line is that most of the elements are in place y made a for a run at the national championship. Septal is the biggest game for UT as Florida travels to Knoxville in a battle that has national championship implications. :orbacks. an Chad at Florida Nov. 19 ! playing Florida At A Glance Until he Coach: Steve Spurrier ig record At UF: 61-13-1,7 years Overall: 81-26-2,10 years ?t young Returning starters: 17; 9 offense, 6 defense, kicker, phomore punter / starters Players to watch: WR Reidel Anthony, WR Ike Hilliard, phomore CB Anthone Lott, RB Elijah Williams, SS Lawrencfc Wright, Winston QB Danny Wuerffel Primary strengths: With the collection of offensive talent ave some that Steve Spurrier has put together in Gainesville, the chains ble. Nose look like they're seven yards apart. The offensive line should iding four be able to compensate for the loss of two starters, and not jw tackle, matter who Danny Wuerffel gets'the ball to at any given sr. A1995 moment, he might take it the distance. ;his year. Potential problems: Although a high-pressure, speed lartner is approach has been promised, the interior of the defense has to be rebuilt almost from scratch, which could leave the Gators ith on the susceptible to punishment by some of the power offenses in s with 63. the SEC. may be a Overview: If we look at the Jan. 2 massacre, we're able Is through to recall that the Gators last season were considered one of the most fearsome, unstoppable teams of the 1990s. Although they might have to outscore some teams with basketball scores again, they're capable of doing so every week. Only one word describes the Gators passing attack: potent With Heisman candidate Danny Wuerffel at quarterback, the Gators will pile up lots of points. Wuerffel will have a multitude of quality receivers to choose from in Ike Hilliard, }e, punter Reidel Anthony, Jacquez Green and Jamie Richardson, in Boykin, The running back position has four potential superstars, huckman, Junior Ely ah Williams, the quickest, led the team in rushing (858 yards, SEC-best 7.5 yards per carry) despite starting snce and a just seven games due to iiyury. The line is a big concern on p where it offense. Center Jeff Mitchell, guard Donnie Young and Mo ! points in Collins are outstanding, experienced players, a a coach's Tfie defensive line replaces three starters. Senior defensive lse, would end Cameron Davis is the most experienced of those returning. Tko unll ka onlj^ hut not nnt.qt.andine' with Johnnv X1IC iillUUaV<IM>10 TT 111 WV WV/llVtj WMV <w? ? D v ue to have Rutledge leading the charge at outside linebacker. In the in from an secondary, senior Anthone Lott, coming off an All-SEC are almost campaign, and junior Fred Weary return on the corners rrive. Strong safety Lawrence Wright (team-high 109 tackles) joined n defense, Lott on the All-SEC team. are success Once again, the Gators begin a season - as they have the previous three - as legitimate national championship contenders They'll be able to score a lot of points, but stopping the othei ow-scoring. eir defense FOOTBALL page 21 . :X