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I E A recap of USC's Ga football game ne> against Kentucky it a Shawn Singleton is: returns. USC takes on < Clemson in soccer. C.r, VJ aiiiv^v^wv^xvo set to host No. 4 Tigers staff writer BROCK VERGAKIS Last season the men's soccer team lost three games all year, two of which were to Clemson. This Sunday, Carolina will get a chance at redemption against their hated rivals, and more is at stake than pride in this game. The SEC doesn't recognize men's soccer, thus it is not possible for USC to receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. In order to attain a high seed, it is necessary to outperform others in the region. Currently, Carolina is third in the South Region behind Duke and Clemson. Fresh off winning the Clemson/adidas Invitational, the Tigers (10-1) are looking to capture a top seed in the tournament, as well. Ranked fourth in the country by Soccer America, their only loss came at the hands of Duke, currently ranked third. rm l i. i* ii _ _ _ j ... ine iasi ume mese iwo nemeses met was in the second round of the NCAA tournament in a highly physical game. Despite outplaying Clemson for the majority of the match, Clemson won in overtime, 1-0. The largest crowd of the season left the Graveyard heartbroken as USC's season came to a close. This is a new year, but the Gamecocks are faced with some of the same problems heading into Sunday's game. Both losses this season have come in overtime, an eerie reminder of the two overtime losses last season, one of which was to Clemson. A major improvement for USC this year has been in their first half defensive efforts. After the first 10 games last year, Carolina had given up nine goals in the first half. This year the Gamecocks have not allowed a single goal in the first half, outscoring their opponents 16-0. If the team is able to stop the Clemson attack, led by Wojtek Krakowiak, the Car olina offense should be able to take care of themselves since they are averaging three goals per game. A key component of USC's home record is the crowd support they receive. Attendance at the Graveyard has been ranked in the top ten in the country At the UCLA game, a new attendance record was set with more than 5,000 in attendance to watch USC upset the defending national champs. With fall break for students scheduled the same weekend as the game, there are concerns about fan turnout. "I'd like to be here to see Carolina whip Clemson, but I've got to go home this weekend," said Margaret McRae sophomore. Many students are planning to return to Columbia on Sunday specifically for the game. "I know 111 definitely b| there for the game," said Brent Hubbard of Marlboro County. "This year Carolina is XA AVI/1 uiiairy guui&iu get even wiui mem, aiiu I want to rub it in the Clemson players' faces every time they run by me." Co-Captain John Harr said, "A lot of people are going to show up. If s something special. I really think we are going to have good support." Many who are not from South Carolina don't realize the amount of pride that is associated with the USCClemson game. These two schools have historically had two of the best soccer programs in the country, adding to the in^ * t* _1 i i i i I tensity 01 an aireaay neatea state rivalry. Ironically enough, USC and Clemson can only tout three players each from the Palmetto State. Clemson's foster is just as diverse as Carolina's. They boast a host of players from different countries, including Norway, Poland, New Zealand, Australia and Iceland. Just as Clemson is sure to do, the Gamecocks are making sure all the players know the importance of this game. "We're going to make the freshmen aware of the magnitude of this game," Harr said. "If s one of the biggest rivalries in all nf llocre athletics. Thev will have to be ready for the harassment on the field, as Clemson is sure to bring many fans with them." Harr doesn't want this year's freshman class to experience what he did last year. In his first season as a transfer student, he lost only one home game. That game was to Clemson. "Definitely the returning guys want a rematch," he said. "It's in our house. We only lost one home game last year, and we don't want that to happen again." mecock Sports has a v e-mail address. Give try. Our new address GCKSFRTS@sc.edu Lady G staff writer JEREMY TOUZEL In a match more physical than most football games, Clemson's Lady Tigers defeated USC's women's soccer team, 3-1, at Stone Stadium Wednesday night. Despite the score, the Gamecocks (7-4-1) clearly outplayed the No. 13 Lady Tigers, who improved their record to 8-3. ^Br ' tS9& HHh| w/ ?iii mmf : South Carolina's Morgan Mclntyr for the ball in Wednesday night's ; Reserve the "SiP Junior quarterback Tim Couch is about every passing category this 5 2,076 yards and 19 touchdowns in Carolina set for TV time staff writer TONY ISAAC The USC volleyball team will host two matches this weekend, taking on Alabama Friday at 7 p.m. and Auburn Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in a televised match. The Gamecocks have won the last five matches against 'Bama, including a 3-0 win in Columbia last year. Carolina has taken the last two matches with the Tigers, winning 3-0 last year in Columbia.The Tigers are led by 1997 SEC Freshman of the Year Jaunelle Hamilton, who has 245 kills and is hitting .379 this year. The Auburn match has been selected as the SEC-TV Match of the Year and will be shown live on Fox SportSouth. It will be the first time in the history of the program that Carolina has hosted an SEC Match of the Week. Spc amecoc Despite the weather, the stands woro noplrDrl txrifV* cnnpfofnre xirVm " V/I V ^/UviVVU. TT 11/11 OJJUVbUlfUi O TV liU witnessed what Head Coach Sue Kelly called a "very, very good Division I soccer match." One of the best performances for USC came from defender Lexi Tourtellotte, who said, "It goes down as a loss, but we got a lot of positives out of it. It's the best we've played all season." * M-joVL SEAN RAYFORD Sports Photo Editor e battles with a Clemson defender J-l loss to No. 13 Clemson. T T T T 1 C TV u-naui lui i> in the righ' k \ .|JP: fense sputt |\ iJr throwing t fense and a ^ ^nd ntr a and 37 tou tions, yard Leaf are 01 think defir will help ir tention. Oi anymore a adxnits he we want tc 4*" Oh yea Heisman '' ? >.;> , this time a HHraHBi special to the gamecock other year, leading the SEC in just team get ii ear. He has thrown for help my ch five games. team first, Nate Kentucky G Sports Editor 19-6 B.J. Kentucky Te "Editorial Assistant" 12-13 Rob Gioielli Kentucky Te Staff Guest Picker 18-7 Kelly Maauire USC Te Asst. Sports Editor 18-7 Laura Bokesch Kentucky ( Friend of Sports Staff 20-5 After going 4-1 last week, Laura st she'll tie BJ's 1996 record for the best st "What can I say, I've got knowledge credit to my friends in my MKTG 350 c! But don't forget about Nate, lurking is way back at 12-13. But watch out for h )RTS ks fall t The turning point in the mate came when Clemson scored two goa in two minutes, midway through th second half. Not taking the Gamecocks lightl; the Lady Tigers began the game wit consistent pressure on All-SEC goa keeper, Carrie Warner. Thirty seconds into the matel Clemson had a hard shot on goal tin was blocked at the last second by fresl man Melinda Carter. USC almost scored in the 24t minute when USC's all-time leadin goal scorer, Jennie Ondo, broke awa from the Clemson defense for a oni on-one with the goalkeeper. Before si: could get a shot off, she was trippe from behind by defender Lindsay Ma sehgale, trying to prevent the r< sourceful Ondo from scoring. Massengale was given a yellow cai for the infraction. Ondo had anothc breakaway two minutes later, but th Clemson keeper beat her to the bal With six minutes left in the hal Clemson mounted a dangerous attac on the left wing. The ball was crossed to Sara Bui kett, who volleyed it just right of th diving Warner to give the Lady Tigei the lead. Ldiiucivy s CHRIS DeOUIDO uch came to the University of Kentuci jrback in the nation. He didn't disappoi t system. >, Couch rode the bench and watched ;er in a offensive scheme ill-suited for h alents. But 1997 brought about a new ( i new attitude. Couch saw action and gs his big numbers. sv, in 1998, it's Tim Couch, Heisman Tro got such a level head about these thii Mumme said by phone. "He knows he's se us take more of a low-profile approach But certainly I'll do whatever I can do t< f award." e's support is beneficial, but it was h Valdosta State that sparked the emer lan hopeful. As a freshman, the natio [ayed in just seven games, completing ds and one touchdown, at a difference a year makes. Last year, i sing scheme, Couch completed 36 of 5C bur touchdowns. And that was in Kentui id Wildcat fans know the ride was jusl 76 yards in the season finale against T< tlight from eventual top pick Peyton IV il totals: 363 completions in 547 attempts chdowns. He led the nation in pass att age and completion percentage at 66.4 at was as a sophomore. Now that Man it of the way, Couch is going to have tc ie awards he has positioned himself i i 111 be a lot better mentally," Couch sa litely going through this system all th le." improved as Couch is, it's the Wildcat te ice an SEC doormat, Kentucky isn't b( nd is being picked by many to go to a sive as he was in his first full year of i still can improve. He said he'd like to and make better reads on second and ed to strike deep with a little more auth 'ant to play-pass a little more, and we've i be more proficient at." h, there's one more thing: Couch finish rrophy balloting last year, setting hi round. st going to approach it like I would t\ " Couch said. I want to play my best s lto a bowl game, and if I do that, then 1 ances at getting any kind of awards. I v and the rest will take care of itself." Georgia Florida St. Nebraska nnessee Florida St. Nebraska nnessee Florida St. Texas A&l\ nnessee Florida St. Nebraska Georgia Florida St. Nebraska ;ands at 20-5 on the year. With a 5-0 ;art ever at 25-5. and skill," said Laura jokingly. "But I lass, especially Danielle and Justin." ;just one game back. After another di: im down the stretch as he has a history Men's Soccer Sunday, 2 p.m. vs. Clemson ^ Volleyball ) Friday, 7 p.m. vs. Alabama Sunday, 1:30 p.m. vs. Auburn (Fox SportSouth) n rlfin? * h In the second half, the GameIs cocks came out with a lot of intensity, le persistently putting pressure on the Clemson goal. y, In the 55th minute, Ondo dribbled h through most of the Clemson defense 1 and blasted a shot from 18 yards out. The Clemson keeper then made a gori, geous diving save to foil Ondo, on what it would have again been the equalizing ti- goal. As expected, the rivalry between h the two schools caused an extremely Lg physical match and led to 32 fouls bely tween the teams. Although the Lady 3- Tigers were just as rough as their opte ponents, the Gamecocks were whistled id for 21 of the fouls, s- This was due in large part to the i- fact that the Clemson players readily took dives to draw the attention of the d referee. ;r One such instance occurred in the te 15th minute when USC's stellar sweep1. er, Angela Austin, made a fair tackle f, on Clemson's Beth Keller but was called k for an infraction, which resulted in a direct free kick. Keller's ensuing shot r- started out curving left but somehow ie swerved back to the nght, past Wain's er, who lost her footing on the slick turf. ouch Caroli :y hyped as the to bre nt, once placed the Wildcat of- O "j" is considerable (X L IV V. :oach, a new oflinedalotofat asst. sports editor KELLY phyCandidate. Last year, USChea, igs, Kentucky some balls into the floe ! f TlPuyer bal1 coach,Brad Scott, ito all the Heis- ban^ some f ^ i help Tim with Lite Fogler. Scott , r the phenomenal Wilde is arrival from Tim Couch. Couch is n gence o ouc premier passing offens n s ex-top prep [y b o passes seventh in scoring , ,, , Couch is second il inderMummes , nQC, I nasses for tQfi completions (186), comp i passes tor dy? (2076) total offense (4< :kyk first game. The Heismau hope t beginning. He , 6 ? , average per game and mnessee, steal- . ranmW ySrds Passm? Per ?am em3ts884yaf "The^ast two'weeks^haemp , comp e- we jos^. j^e's reayy g0t percent,R Brad Scott said, ning an yan n 0g-ens jve attack, \ .rent aU-Haul c5iege football." or this season. n6n tnn nf ^ . id via phone. "I ing-offense line. The lin rough last year their careeers. Left tackle, Jonas L am drawing at- Right tackle, Kris Coi ;ing overlooked three-year starters. Rig bowl game this Jeremy Streck, are bo line. Watts snaps the b; starting, Couch utilizes his right hand throw the deep "They return almc third receivers. starters are back," See Lority," Mumme very experienced team got some checks Tight ends, James 1 bined for more pass rec led ninth in the en(js ^ the nation. W1 m up for a run ceptions (17) and yard The Wildcats have he start of any year Craig Yeast has 0 I can help our downs. Yeast is also se know that will He also rates as oi yant to help the averaging 36.5 yards p and one punt for touc Gamecocks. Yeast rai nKTS yardage, averaging 18' 1 i" fw 3 Defensively the W LULJL3| Marlon McCree (30 ta yBgJSaDEBl Strong safety David Ji "We're still a recru Kansas St. the few seniors that w pretty well, and the y< said. Scott said, "They I Kansas St. think their team spee< giving everybody a fit. ' fensive philosophy the: ? KnriQac; St *n y?ur trac^s' or t Kansas bt. m^e a bie Diav, but tl those big plays." The Wildcats rani i Colorado down conversions, hav down success ratio. Gamecock QB Antl Kansas St. ya the Ole Miss Rebels. Kicker Steve Flori record this week, ter being out with a 1 the team. , , The Gamecocks w: have to give some , T, , . , , . ., , to Kentucky, but it sho olina's elevated play smal 2-3 week, BJ set for 7 p.m. and will of strong finishes. Network. Nate says if you are sick of football, the men's basketball team opens practice next Saturday, just, eight days from now. on, 3-1 The Lady Tigers scored two minutes later, as Burkett scored her second goal of the match with an excellently placed shot from just outside the penalty area. t cu?; ?4. ?i ? 4.1, ? oiiuwing icdiiieiiL LiiaiaLtci, uic Gamecocks increased their intensity, constantly forming attack opportunities. With 20 minutes remaining, Ondo again broke free and shot what appeared to be a sure goal, but somehow the ball just missed the lower right corner of the net. Clemson tried in vain to hold Ondo scoreless, but four minutes later she scored her ninth goal of the season after Lydia Bienias made a tremendous pass from the corner. Shortly afterwards, Austin chipped a beautiful pass to Tourtellotte, whose header hit the crossbar. After some stalling tactics, Clemson escaped with the victory. Nevertheless, Coach Kelly was pleased with her team's performance. "This game was a huge message that we belong at a high level," Kelly said. She said she thought the team played better than they did in their victory over Clemson two years ago. She continued, "I think the program is at a completely new level." na looks /UiV UV/X ntucky ' MAGUIRE i basketball coach, Eddie Fogler, banged >r of Rupp Arena. This year, head footlooks to emulate Fogler's example by ; into the endzone at Kentucky, will not have an easy task as he faces :at passing attack, led by quarterback o lazyboy, as he has created one of the es in the country. Kentucky is currentin passing offense, third in total offense a the nation in pass attempts (261), letion percentage (71.3), passing yardage 31.4) and touchdown passes (19). ful is also leading the SEC in passing total offense. Couch is averaging 415.2 e this season. g well," head coach Hal Mumme said, ve been his best two games even though a good command of the offense." ) question they [Kentucky] have a widevith one of the premier quarterbacks in he Wildcats boast an all senior startemen have combined for 116 starts dur> 0 was cleared to practice this week afower-back strain. He will travel with ill face a difficult challenge heading inuld be an interesting matchup after Carlast week against Ole Miss. Kickoff is 1 be broadcast on the Gamecock Sports iening, is in his fourth year as a starter, mstock, and center, Jason Watts, are ;ht guard, Mike Webster, and left guard, th in their second year on the Wildcat all with his left hand in the shotgun and when the quarterback in under center, ist their entire offense; nine out of 11 >tt said. "They're very seasoned now ? v L. (Vhalen Jr. and Jimmy Haley, have comeptions (27) than any other team's tight lalen ranks second in the nation in reage (198). had 12 wide receivers catch passes this 34 catches for 582 yards and six touchscond in the SEC in receptions, ae of the SEC's top kickoff returners, >er return and has returned one kickoff hdowns during his career against the aks second in the SEC in all-purpose 6.8 yards per game, ildcats are led by outside linebackers ickles) and Jeff Snedegar (26 tackles). .1 jj? i.~ 4/l :iL on iiuisuu auus iu uie ixijlx. wiui oc uiuues. iting class away on defense I think, but e do have have stepped up and played Dung guys are coming along," Mumme 're a little quicker on defense, and I i had improved there, so they're really It's kind of a feast or famine' type dere. They're either going to stop you dead u're going to have an opportunity to tie deal is you've got to execute to make i first in the SEC in opponent's thirding allowed its foes a 17.7 percent thirdlony Wright heads into Saturday's game rHs nassincr in last wpek's came against