Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Kelly Maguire Vofle catches up with Wedi USC Head Coach 7 P n Brad Scott and Marshall Head yv/2? Coach Bob Pruett 7 pn to get their takes on Saturday's game. Ric Flair A A io reiurn tonight? | IAN ALFORP | It was Starrcade 1984, "A Flair for the Gold," when the "Nature Boy" . Ric Flair pinned then NWA World Champ Harley Race in a steel cage match. That was Flair's first world title run, and w would have 12 more. Flair became one of the Four Horseman, along with Tully Blanchard, and Ole and Arn Anderson. The Four Horseman were the "bad guys" and the "dirtiest players in the game." As NWA World Champion, Flair was not only a member of the Four Horseman, but feuded with then greats Dusty Rhodes, Kerry Von Erich, and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. In 1989, the NWA was sold by Jim Crockett Jr. to World Championship Wrestling, a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting Systems, now a Time Warner Company. Soon after the sale to Turner, Ric Flair took the old NWA World Title belt and showed up in the rival World Wrestling Federation. Flair challenged Hulk Hogan and managed to capture the WWF World Title on two occasions. Soon after, Flair 4A WTf^WT 4A AAWTT 4V?A AAmnn JUllipCU LU TV-'fT LU \*CLllJ tiiU Wllipa" ny. Let's jump ahead several title reigns later. Ric Flair is a legend, an icon in pro wrestling. We all know that. In September of'97, Flair's head was slammed by a cage door, putting an apparent end to the famous, and "revamped," Four Horsemen. Soon, Flair was asked to make several wrestlers, including Bret "The Hitman" Hart, look good. Flair's career looked like it was headed in a downward spiral. In April of this year, the now 13 time former heavyweight champion Ric Flair went to his son's match at the national finals of an amateur wrestling tournament. Flair believed he had gone through the proper channels to get the time off to go to his son's matches. That was not the case, according to WCW, when Flair failed to show up for Monday Nitro and Thursday Thunder. Several weeks later, in an Atlanta Court, World Championship Wrestling filed a suit against Richard Flair for breach of contract. However, it's not as simple as that. Flair had only signed a legal letter of intent to sign a contract for 3 years, 1.95 million dollars. So 49-year-old Ric Flair, a 25-year wrestling veteran, filed a counter suit on June 11th in a Mecklenburg County Superior Court, according to tne Charlotte Observer. In his suit, Flair claims the letter of intent is not legally binding, and has cost him more than 2 million dollars in lost income. Along with that claim, Flair's attorney told the Charlotte Observer that WCW failed to recognize and treat Flair as a star, and 13-time former world heavyweight champion. Almost immediately, rumors started of Flair "jumping federations" from WCW to the WWF. That doesn't look like that's what's going to happen now. It's expected, and publicly known among wrestling journalists, that Ric Flair is expected to make his return to WCW on Monday Nitro tonight in Greenville at 8 p.m. WCWs Steve McMichael, Chris Benoit, and Dean Malenko have been , asking retired Four Horsemen "Enforcer," Arn Anderson, to put the Four Horsemen back together. On Sept. 7th's Monday Nitro, Anderson gave his answer that shocked the world, saving Dean Malenko and teasing a Horseman reformation next Monday when Flan- is expected to return. Whether or not the suit is taken care of is still speculation. Many have informed me that Eric Bischoff, president of WCW, has indeed apologized and settled with Ric Flair. Others have said that Flair will not drop his lawsuit against WCW, but has indeed agreed to return to WCW and be paid on a per diem basis. At this point, it does look like Flair will be returning "home" to WCW, and that WCW has taken a step in the right direction in finishing Flair's career the honorahle way - in the ring, "Whoo! Stylin' and profilin'!" yball lesday vs. Clemson [L len's Soccer lesday at Wofford i. usc< ^ ^ , , """"n y, , $$&%<?_ y" *r?. %l ?'<*? *'/..... .. Linebacker Teddy Salters, N< out of the pocket Saturday. C Defense cc staff uriter KATHLEEN RALLS One always wonders what might have happened had they taken a different path. The South Carolina football team and fans might be wondering the same thing after Saturday's loss to Georgia, 17-3. A week ago, the offense seemed unstoppable. Anthony WTtn rrV*f fko lno/lni? aT flio or ti ngiit, tiic icauci ui uic a.i senal, appeared to be back in a big way. The only question mark was the defense. This was not exactly a settling thought for coach Brad Scott and his staff, as they prepared to face No. 13 Georgia who had routed Kent 56-3 under the young but profitable arm of Quincy Carter. The freshman ranked No. 1 in quarterback ratings going into this week's game. South Carolina was pre- . pared to answer with senior quarterback, Anthony Wright, who had sought'to quiet his doubters in his first game and had succeeded. He had connected with his receivers for three touchdown passes and 180 yards. The Gamecock offense seemed primed and ready for the potent Bulldog defense. As it happened, however, the Carolina defense stood out, bending but not breaking against Georgia's offense. They came out a different squad this week, making the big plays which kept the game as tight as it could have been. This time it was their turn to hold up a struggling offense. The yeai | WILLIAM FOLKS" There is a banner hanging ii University of South Carolina w< room that reads: "This Space Rese for National Champions ? 1! With the new millennium on months away, it might be in the G cocks' best interests to order ar er one. It's going to be a little lo than 1999 before USC fields a s< capable of competing for SEC cl pionships, let alone a national Saturday's 17-3 Georgia vi< marks the fourth time in five y that the Gamecocks have droj their "barometer" by losing to the dogs. Their record in three prior" to Georgia" seasons? 16-17-1. Yet much of a barometer has the gam ally been of late? The "yearly y stick" argument loses some of its ter when you consider that in U Si offeri i. jar1'1 ' 'V: ? r* ,,M IK P ? .# ' f-* C" <J Ip^ w$ 7 '-< , ?' i^-4. * ! ?" . >. 57, and lineman Cecil Cal barter had two rushing toucl >mes throu| ii&T" * Linebacker Corey Atkins, al ners, held Georgia to 17 poi With 9:40 left in the first quarter, the Bulldogs, taking advantage of a deflected Gamecock interception, drove to the one yard line. With the score still 0-0, Georgia failed to score on third down. Carolina seemed to be gaining momentum with their second big stop r?f tVio cramo Rut Vioro'c whprp the pivotal call comes in. The Gamecocks were penalized for an offside violation giving the Dawgs another opportunity. Georgia converted on the extra third down with a touchdown and subsequent extra point. The final score was 173. If it was known before the game that Carolina would hold the Dawgs to just 17 points, most would have expected a South Carolina viely yardsi I last two "Beat Georgia' Gamecocks are just as ing a 10-11 record. ! the While I don't want t< ;ight rus of those clamoring fo irvecj head, I do believe that th ? was lost by the coacl ,y 15 Players3 Wi+k TTQr1 fToilinrrin ff xuix wuv uaimig ui iot^ and fourth quarters, why Wright not put in some n^j gun formation with four lua allowed to throw the bal ia"1' practice the shotgun an I understand Chuck :tory to set up the run with ears when you have the con] 3Pe ^ corps of wide receivers, v them the football at leas L?se Sixteen pass attempts fo how Brad Scott came tc le re- 1994 with an "innovati rard- philosophy that had just > lus- da State the 1993 nati SC's onship. >OR' tse sta l... jspr r w . ' H S:.;' ,; U;M.... ;i... - '-* i-; : - .,?>-^j. . Photos by SEAN RAYFOR dwell chase Georgia Quarterbacl idowns in the 17-3 win over Can ?h for USC ong with his defensive partints. toiy. This low score can be credited to the defense and their numerous key plays. They eliminated much of Carter's effectiveness. He threw 9 for 18 with 133 yards and one interceDtion. The offense did have one bright spot: the return of junior tailback Troy Hambrick, who looked great at times. He ran for 89 yards on 22 carries. South Carolina now holds at 1-1 for the year. Despite the loss, there is a lot to learn from these early games. Scott knows that he has two working ends that he needs to coordinate. Hopefully against Marshall, the Gamecocks will be clicking on all cylinders. It's only five more days until game day. tick: USC ' seasons the How did it work? dismal, post- wide-open, full-thrc pretty much allowe ) join the cho- phy winner Charlie r Brad Scotfs ble and throw wher is year's game it. i .i r> i ri -ii i ties, not tne L-oacn ocou appi philosophy to the thelatethird wrong quarterwas Anthony back, Steve Taney! sort of shot- hill. When Georgia wideouts and cornerback Champ 1? Do we even Bailey told me afymore? ter the game the Reedy wants Bulldog defense the pass, but "did a good job of ference's best containing Anthony not throw ny Wright," he was t a few times? only half-correct. rA-l?C'mon. The rest of that ? Carolina in honor should go ve" offensive f? fhe Gamecock earned Flori- coaching staff, onal champi- Give defensive coordinator Wally E USC defensive back Goodman will be the rest of the j i / ^ With a ligament tea: right knee. He su the injury' durin 1 L y Georgia game and went surgery Sunda lis in 1 7% J senior writer KELLY MAGUIRI V ^ ^ No. 17 has come back to % if f ? Brad Scott. What was once A his arsenal at Florida State is / ! Jim Donnan's hands. No, Charlie Ward is not bai Mm ing college football. Instead, ( quarterback Quincy Carter w P J iniscentoftheHeismanTrop] ftil ner' as Georgia t? a 1 AV1^ X tory over the Gamecocks. Carolina's offense had o] 1 f nities to capitalize on Georgia WT ^^1 turnovers, but just couldn't re ft * - . end zone. An offense that was A. J'%M ft erful against Ball State, seems switched roles with the Ci || JKr if defense, as the defense con H most of the game. "We had some opporti ^ and just couldn't cash in," See "Anthony [Wright] was in a to sition. Georgia has some bij ^ and they are a tough team to ] for." Carolina's defense forced t\ bles and one interception. The cock defense held Carter to 13 passing, 50 of which came throw: a bomb under press Champ Bailey. "We gave a really good sive effort, especially against tl Scott said. "The way the d played, we had a chance to w ID sport* Photo Editor Penalties seemed to be th k Quincy Carter 0f the day; However, the besl 0*ina* ty came in the first half. Carol Hambrick loi spot for Care siajj writer pc^m iwcwlcllaw On a night when offense was scarce, University of South Carolina junior tailback Troy Hambrick padded his stats with a solid performance against a prepared Bulldog team. The Gamecocks battled conference rival Georgia on Saturday, losing by a score of 173. Hambrick, who didn't play in last week's season opener against Ball State because of a one game suspension, was the lone spark in a somewhat quiet Carolina offense. "Troy Hambrick ran very well," said Coach Brad Scott. "He got stronger as the day went on." Hambrick came out ready to play in the first quarter, running for a total of 44 yards. In the Gamecocks' third possession during the second quarter, he was given the ball six times, gLJryp *1 A lack of offensive production left defenders, like Corey Atkins, frustrated. fails to measi ' Simple. It was a staff (Rick Petri, Brad Lawii )ttle attack that Bruce Johnson) some credit fc d Heisman Tro- spectable effort. Ward to scram- Despite losing starting corn tever he felt like Andre Goodman in the first q to a torn ACL (the true freshj ied this offensive out for the season) and junic backer ( Atkins "I think they were sprained able to make up (he should ?> . 1 i | r in time f< for their hick of size with team game Sep quickness and by running some dif- remarkab ficult schemes for slsteigai * ? They us to read." ter us P Matt Stinchcomb good," saic offensive tackle, Georgia gia's all-A tackle Stinchc lurnham and hi^ "They were able to get some goc Andre Nate says UK QB Tim out for Couch has passed for 870 season yards in his first two r in his games. At this rate, Couch stained will break the SEC record ig the for passing yards halfway under- through the ninth game of y. the season. 7-3 loss E a first and goal at the three yard line, when officials threw a flag. After a haunt brief conversation, the officials waved part of 0ff the penalty and fireworks went now in 0ff. Fireworks are usually reserved ck play- for a score, but the scoreboard operJeorgia ator must have felt that the offense as rem- needed a little spark, by win- The game started off in Caroli7-3 vie- na's favor, as the Gamecocks won the toss and elected to defer to the secjportu ond half. 's three Immediately the defense was peach the nalized for offsides and holding. Howso pow- ever, Corey Atkins stepped in and to have stalled the Georgia drive on a fourth irolina and one to give USC possession of the trolled ball. As soon as Wright stepped into mities the game, however, his first pass was itt said, tipped and intercepted, ugh po- Georgia responded and scored a g ends, touchdown on a run by Carter up the prepare middle. Carolina's offense stepped on the vo fum- field, this time making some headGame way, and effectively moved the ball 3 yards down the field. Running back Troy on one Hambrick rushed for a long run of 18 sure to yards. Then when things seemed to be defen- going Carolina's way, Wright was be run," sacked for an 11-yard loss, which conefense eluded in a Courtney Leavitt punt. , n an. ie order :pe?al; USC page9 ma had r 6 ne bright )lina offense gaining a total of 19 yards. By the end of the game, he had racked up 90 yards on his own. Despite a focused effort by Hambrick, his team could put up only three points. Junior Courtney Leavitt kicked a 24 yard field goal in the second quarter for Carolina's only score. The Georgia Bulldogs defense played very nrnll knf fn TVrvtr Uomkriplr if urac uut auwuiumg w xx.\jj ixaiixuiivix, xv "uu not just the Georgia defense that kept Carolina from scoring. It was also a poor effort on the part of the Gamecock offense. "We didn't get passes off like we should have. As a whole, we fell," Hambrick said. "We have to keep our chins up for next week. I still think we can beat Georgia." Hambrick is already focusing on next week's game against Marshall, hoping to get his team more prepared to play hard football. Hambrick led the Gamecocks in rushing in 1997 with 604 yards on 115 carries. He ran for 135 yards and scored twice last year against Clemson. Hambrick also ran for 115 yards against Florida State. "I have to keep a smile on my face," he said. "I take it upon myself to run." Coach Brad Scott said the Gamecocks worked hard on running all week to prepare for the Georgia game. "We were running the ball tough and hard," Scott said. "Troy ran the ball hard tonight." Hopefully, the Gamecocks will be able to combine a focused defensive effort, a strong nflfpnsivo rlrivo anrl annthpr snliH nprfrvrmanfP by Troy Hambrick next week to come out with a win. ire up again lg and sure on us and disrupt our offensive >r a re- flow. I think they were able to make up for their lack of size with team erback quickness and by running some diffiuarter oilt schemes for us to read. They have man is some guys out there who can flat run, * ^ne" and they kept us guessing." r e y While I was one writer who felt ankle staff housecleaning this off-seareturn Son s^ou^ abided Coach Burnor the ^am> defense certainly did their i State j?k Saturday night. For the first time t 26) *n w^at seems like eons, a USC decocks' feusive unit was able to survive seri ayed a ous Personnei losses ana maintain a ly con- relatively consistent level of play. ne As injured free safety Arturo Freegot af- man said before the season, "the numiretty ber two and three guys have to be just 1 Geor- as solid as the guys up front." Saturmerica day night, they were. Matt Particular praise goes to lineomb. backers Kenny Harney, Darion Hutchxipres erson and Shannon Wadley.