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No. 3 asst. sports editor WELLY MAQUIRE They came, they saw, they conquered. Tennessee proved Saturday why they are t in the country, as the Volunteers won decis: Gamecocks, 49-14. The Vols, off to their best start since 196S of the game from the start, as Carolina mana in each of its first two series. Even the presence of former Gamecock t the injured Randy Wheeler, couldn't ignite i the burned out Gamecocks. Wheeler suffered severe spinal injuries in July that left him paralyzed. While on his wi mi Dolphins training camp, he lost control of a storm near Stuart, Fla. Wheeler returned fr( past week to see his family and the Carolii game. Head Coach Brad Scott visited Wheeler in ly after the accident and presented him with by the Team Gamecocks organization, along tos from the 1998 team. "When I first went down to see Randy soo cident, we talked a little bit about setting a g be back for the Tennessee game," Scott said." doors, one of the nurses was quick to say, "No that will happen for Randy.m Wheeler fought back through extensive p py, however, and has been cleared to receive Florence, S.C., which is closer to his home Wheeler was introduced during the Dreea along with the football team's senior memb< surrounded Wheeler after the announcemen as the roughly 69,500 fans applauded enthus Wheeler also visited with the team prior "Randy came in the lockerroom and spoke ere," Scott said. "He's very loved and respected The content of the conversation will be kep the public, but several players said it was an e: tional one for them. "It [Wheeler's situation] makes you put li tive," stated quarterback Anthony Wright. Wright said that Wheeler's condition m fr? i a n h a nn/1 iti a4- viaiw/t a 1 i*ta - picuatc laiiiiiy, menus, cum juot ucuig anvc. Seeing that Wheeler is improving als team. "It put a lot of our hearts at rest just kno\ coming back [from the injury]," said center J The game started off in the Gamecocks' 1 won the toss and elected to receive the openii After a series of downs, Tennessee was 15 yards on a personal foul. However, on the n made a critical mistake, fumbling at their ow "Unfortunately, we were definitely our o\ my," Nesbit said. The Vols took advantage of the Gamecocl and ultimately scored on a 21-yard pass fron back Tee Martin to Jeremaine Copeland. Boo Williams returned the kickoff for 16 ] Gamecocks were stopped again after Wright Coaching st? for Carolina I TODD MONEY I 18' clu "It's frustrating, but life goes on. You've got to keep moving." Anthony Wright's words following USC's 49-14 pounding at the hands of No. 3 Tennessee Saturday could ^ serve as the mantra of the Gamecocks' ^ 1998 season. This latest loss, solidify- ^ ing South Carolina's worst final season record since 1966, wasn't really a low point, though. It was more a reaffirmation of what the season has al- er ready shown. USC's mistakes weren't gig anything new ? turnovers, the lack of ecj, a potent running game, missed cover- Qa ages ? Gamecock fans had already ggg seen it all. bu: So, who's to blame? Many a team's supporters make it s a rule to castigate the coaching staff US before anyone else. Sometimes, this is sta a valid argument. And Brad Scott and Bri his assistants certainly didn't help their car case Saturday. Midway through the thi second quarter, down only 14-0 to the pas highly regarded Volunteers, QB Phil co< Petty and USC began a drive at their do^ Inn mRide^th In order t( - w Don I Only Call 777 rolui) to Troy Hamt a 10-yard gai] and Deon Gr lie No. 3 team ^ many d ively over the The first. On the fii i, took control bomb to Jern ged to fumble 19.yard ^, for an illegal ;eam captain, Carolina c i flame under a^^chel , . goal. The fres acarcrashin leftandgivil! ay to the Mia- beightp his vehicle in puttingthem )m Miami this On their. la-Tennessee ballattheir( Florida short- Peftt: - , . , line. On a foi .ftmdsraised field a]Tu( with memen- byBi|yRatli| r, , returned it t( n after his ac- TTOri, Tr . :oal for him to usCsKevm Behind closed ^ourfm , I don't think could make a hysical therai treatment in bl , ed' , in Hartsville. weve8?'alc me festivities. catt!! w?.dm 2rs. The team l he Vols t of his name, ^eam 92 yar^ siastically. ^meto kickoff. "I know t] with our play- we gave out ti on our team." Scott said, t private from The Vols xtremely emo ^ Martin thi period's secoi fe in perspec- olina. After ano1 akes him ap- Shawn Biysoi completing ai o helped the gle game, ai against Alabi ving that he's "He [Mart amar Nesbit. Scott said aft ;avor, as they Soon afte: 1g kickoff. Phillip Crosb penalized for Midway t ext play, USC scored. Petty j n 49. in a 24-yard' vn worst ene- ated the first quarters, is' misfortune Davis' 17' i U1 quarter- uamecocK an for the all-tin fards, but the Davis als fired a bullet reer receptioi iff, fans football yard line that showed little sig wing. Running the ball almos sively with Boo Williams and mbrick, the Gamecocks drove < the Vols' six, where they fat rth-and-two. With fans sensing a score, Scot . chose to send out true fresh et Tucker for a field goal ? 1 5 first-ever try since taking ove king duties from downtrodden C f l-eavitt. A field goal. F.ins' eyes grew wide, and the ired down. The low kick from 1 was blocked, and the collei h that's all too familiar this toed through the stands again.! mecocks weren't out of it, their mingly outnumbered by Big Oi ffs in attendance, certainly \ Speaking of those fans, they si so share part of the blami IC's predicament. Nowhere d dium empty out as fast as Willi ice when the game's cause look: ious for USC, as it has a few t s year and several times ove st few years. Heaven forbid the G :ks fall behind by three to vns by the third quarter of a g Hwiti us to and fro ee lunch provi ) participate late a USC T Jve on campu: 41 spaces aval 2481 to reserv ... WM "Shirt s liable!! 'e your spot! *1 teers 'Te< >rick. Hambrick caught the pass and fought for Late a before DeAngelo Lloyd stripped the ball away for the A anf rofnvoroH tVio flamofW?lra' carnnH fiimKlo Cfwrincr' UA1V IVVV/f V1VU MXV VlUillVVVVUU UVVV/X1U iuiuwiv UVUlUlg rives. The quarter ended with the Vols up 7-0. Petty tl st play of the second quarter, Wright threw a hands o lale Kelly for a 40-yard gain to the Tennessee r ....? The Gamecocks were then penalized five yards procedure. ?uldn't make up the lost yardage and on fourth; Tucker came out to attempt a 39-yard field I hman's first career attempt failed, sailing wide ig the Vols the ball at their own 22. lays, Tennessee drove 78 yards for another TD, i i ahead by 14 points. ensuing drive, Carolina took possession of the ajj| >wn 18 an y moved the offense to the Tennessee 6-yard irth-and-two situation, USC elected to kick a ;Kers second attempt, a zd-yarder, was DiocKed r BF and recovered by Derrick Edmonds. Edmonds L f ) the UT 8-yard line, where he was halted by & Sides. ^ otions maybe say go for it out there, but we'd mmjif t and I really had a lot of confidence that we in 8-yard field goal," Scott said, ly wildest dreams did I think we would get it HEP* tt said. "I'd be foolish if I tried to tell you that ?t of confidence in our field goal right now, be- jpi took advantage again, as Martin moved his fJm Is in 10 plays to take a 21-point lead into half- f 11 tie first half, I was very pleased with the effort here, really on both sides [offense and defense]," came back from halftime electrified, though, ew a 71-yard reception to Peerless Price on the id play, resulting in a 28-point deficit for Car ther Tennessee TD, a 5-yard run courtesy of a, Martin added his own stamp to the damage, i NCAA-record 23rd consecutive pass for a sinad 24th overall counting the Vols' game ima the previous week. in] is obviously going to be a fine quarterback," erwards. r UT made the score 42-0 on a 1-yard run by LT'^ -i y, the third quarter ended. hrough the fourth quarter, Carolina finally aimed a pass for Zola Davis, and Davis brought ID reception. The duo of Petty and Davis cre; TD pass allowed by the Vols' defense in 16 th career TD reception tied him with former d Green Bay Packer standout Sterling Sharpe le career TD record at USC. o moved into the No. 2 spot for all- time ca1S. to blame ? misfortunes jp ;ns of as was the case Saturday. Opposing ;t ex- teams aren't intimidated by Carolina Troy faithful; they revel in it. USC finishes iown this year 1-5 at home and are 4-8 :ed a against SEC teams at home the last tiiicc jcaia. t and The players, however, are the ones Ba^-Trr iman on the field. They're making (or missuck" ing) the plays. They're not supposed to ;r fumble the ball, as Carolina did on its ourt- first two drives against Tennessee. |^.?i They're trained not to miss defensive I . ?s coverages, as was the case repeatedly mmm c" Saturday, when Vol QB Tee Martin I " lve caught fire and completed an NCAAIf the recor(* 22 straight passes to receivers l||PP fans w^? were consistently wide open. |p ange Th?/1"? (supposedly)coached to close i vere holes on special teams, which the Game- I lould cocks have failed to do for most of the I e for yearu.,4.: '4. u 4-u? ?i?' OeS a u iaii t it tnc luames juu tu mtr %v . [ams. tivate and to inspire the players? ^ 5 pre- Good teams don't look to place blame jmes on anyone but themselves, and really r the good teams don't have to worry about | lame- blaming anyone. Now, USC is finding |L uch- out what it feels like to be several notchfame, es below either of those levels. Same I m the game 1 i/ you must* e' off on ( r in the quarter, Tennessee's Travis Henry scored This Ms. The point-after made the score 49-7, and the and deft tirade by the Vols was over. Florida Gamecocks fought back for one last touchdown, as "Wer irew another TD pass, this time into the waiting Scott sai f Kelly. v gram." \ * . v -3' p* ill ?sii::iiil!i:flilli: -ill 1 -'': . : ' > ....... ' ;:'' . . g back Troy Hambrick bobbles a pass in Saturday's loss 1 s on 10 carries. "nTntPl^nfl R^ItttiI |Mfol<^" illl'-^i y "j*W^ 11 m A 0' Aerobics anc , : :, : / , > . ' Thursday, Nttvembi 8:15-9:15 Blott PE Center Aero Step&idi *mm /Mi / Acpodh Beginner, Intermediate and Advance . / / - a FREE WITH VALID USC ID/J/VND SIGN nTTTTlTTTnxnilIITTTTIIima Carolina weekend, the Gamecocks will take a break to try srmine how to approach the final two games against and Clemson. 11 continue to press on and try to improve as a team," id. mere are better days anead lor pur tootDau pro< * i . - .* p I j I It ... . ::;l;?. ifc Jk.t m , ^ JL . m WKBSf ^ Vv*, Z TT - ' " *, >: -. > - A x SEAN RAYFORD Sports Photo Editor ^ o Tennessee. Hambrick finished the day with ^Hmhh8i^ rnj /v! i / H fTriTi fTJfc klv-. t t i Fitness er 5 and 19 f c? Dai ? rm a bits Studio | iulpt f ? ' m -5" ?fi \ts 2" I*? if/ i \v = d steppers welcome Q [ED AEROBICS WAIVER I C