The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 18, 1998, Page Page 9, Image 9
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staff writer JAREP KELOWITZ
When looking at the Gamecocks'
record this season, it's extremely easy
to point out all their shortcomings. Trying
to find positive aspects, however, is
a lot tougher. One of USC's often overlooked
bright spots are the wide receivers.
Zola Davis, Jermale Kelly, Kerry
Hood and Ben Fleming comprise
what mav hp nnp nf thp ennntru'e
most explosive receiving corps.
The Gamecock passing attack has
accounted for a large portion of the total
offense this season. Including last
season, these four elusive players accounted
for a total of 29 USC touchdowns
and 2,839 yards of total receiving,
proving to be a substantial part
of the team's offense. This year, the
quartet has accounted for 116 catches,
1,549 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The father figure and senior member
of this quartet is Zola Davis. Davis'
only goal is to help his team win as much
as possible.
"If I have an outstanding game but
the team is not winning, then I cannot
say with a clear conscience that I
am doing my job," Davis said. Davis
wants to play in the NFL after graduation.
If that doesn't work out, he sees
himself receiving a sociology degree and
entering the ministry.
"Playing in the NFL would be a
dream come true, but that may not be
what God calls me to do," he said. "I
have to do whatever he calls me to do."
Through four seasons at USC, Davis
compiled a number of impressive statistics
which list him among the university's
elite. Entering this season
Davis needed to catch 54 more passes
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to eclipse the school's mark set by former
NFL Pro-Bowler Sterling Sharpe.
He currently has 44 catches for 670
yards and five touchdowns.
In 1995, Davis emerged as one oi
the top newcomers in the SEC. He led
the Gamecocks in receiving yardage
with 911 yards on 58 receptions.
That campaign, Davis also had career
highs in touchdowns and receptions.
He was named to the All-SEC
freshman squad, not to mention as runner-up
to Kevin Faulk for SEC freshman
player of the year. Davis set
USC freshman records in yards receiving
(911), receptions (58) and touchdowns
(9).
After his immediate success at the
collegiate level, Davis' second season
was a major letdown. He received a
mere 24 passes, gained just 303 yards
and scored only once, in 1996.
In his third season, Davis turned
things around. In his first game of the
'97 season, Davis caught 10 passes for
120 yards a little less than half of the
receptions he accumulated the season
before. By the end of this, his junior
season, Davis was once again near the
top of the team in receiving, finishing
behind freshman phenom Jermale Kelly.
In this, his junior season, Davis
caught 34 passes for 407 yards and two
touchdowns.
Success was nothing new for Davis
after having an illustrious high school
career at Charleston's Burke High
School. In his senior season at Burke
he was named No. 1 receiver in the
country by Super Prep Magazine. Other
honors Davis received include being
named to Blue Chip Mustrated's Dream
Team, named South Carolina player of
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SEAN RAYFORD Sports Photo Editor
all QB Chad Pennington after the
ptions for 324 yards and one TD.
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i Jermale Kelly has 37 catches for 4
i set the USC freshman record for T1
i the year by Deep South Recruiting
[ Guide, a three-time All-State selection,
t and member of the Shrine Bowl squad.
, Davis cites his family as his main
i source of inspiration. "They were always
there for me because we were very
closely-knit," Davis said.
Davis' advice to younger athletes
who want to succeed on a college level
is, "You got to believe in yourself and
be dedicated to what you do."
Zola lives his life by the quote made
famous by former N.C. State basketball
coach Jim Valvano, "Don't ever give
up."
"I had one or two rocky seasons, but
I am here to make a contribution to the
team, so I won't quit," Davis said.
Davis said his biggest thrill in snorts
was when the Gamecocks made their
way to the Carquest Bowl in 1995.
Last year's No. 1 freshman receiver
in the SEC, Jermale Kelly is the second
piece of this quartet.
"My main goal is to help my teammates,"
he said. "The bottom line for
me is winning."
Kelly centers his post-graduate plans
on playing in the NFL, but if that doesn't
work out, he sees himself in the insurance
business.
"Whatever path I choose I would
definitely like to start a family," Kelly
said.
In Kelly's first season playing for
South Carolina, he compiled some very
impressive numbers. In his freshman
campaign, Kelly caught a team-high 43
passes for 618 yards and 10 touchdowns.
His 10 touchdown catches tied him
for second in the SEC in that category
last season. Those 10 times across the
goal line also allowed Kelly to eclipse
the school's freshman records held by
Brandon Bennett and Zola Davis.
For Games P
The Wini
Dec. 5, 1998 thi
Gai
Clemson
East Carolina
South Carolina J
Kentucky
Florida
Special distribution of stud
Nov. 30 and Tuesday Dec.
Distribution will be in Roor
Student tickets will also be j
Coliseum Ticket Office
from 9 a.m. until halftime of i
$12.00 for the SEC game
conference games. Valid
distribution or at the C
Students are not guar
game, only the right to a tic
are available.
Remember, the gc
your ticket as soon as you ca
Handicapped or dis
assistance by
hands
layed During
ter Break
ru Jan. 11, 1999
nes
Wed., Dec. 16
Sat., Dec. 19
>t. Tue., Dec. 29
Tue., Jan. 5
Wed., Jan. 13
ent tfckets will be Monday,
, 1 from 9 a.m. until 4p.m.
n 205 of the Russell House,
ivailable on game day at the
Student Ticket window
the game. Validation will cost
s and $10.00 cash for nonatinns
will he available at
loliseum on game night.
anteed a student ticket to each
:ket as long as student tickets
>od seats go early, so get
in.
abled students can get
calling 777-6742.
in college: "Always give your best effort;
no matter what happens you can
be proud of yourself."
Jermale subscribes to the philosophy
that you must live every day of your
life to the fullest. Catching his first-ever
collegiate touchdown against theUniversity
of Central Florida sticks in his
* mind as his greatest thrill in sports.
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SEAN RAYFORD Sports Photo Editor
43 yards and four TDs this year. He
) receptions last year with 10.
Kelly wasted 110 time scoring his
first touchdown at USC. He did so
against the University of Central Florida
in the first college game he ever
played. Some of Kelly's best games in
1997 include his team-best five receptions
for 57 yards and two touchdowns
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catches in the win over Arkansas, his
two-touchdown, performance to secure
the victory over Kentucky, and his career-high
nine receptions for 119 yards
versus Mississippi State.
This year, Kelly has 37 catches for
443 yards and four touchdowns.
Like Davis, Jermale Kelly also had
a remarkable high school career. Catching
68 passes for 1,154 yards and 10
touchdowns during his senior season
earned him the honor of Mr. Football
of South Carolina. Along with that, Kelly
became the state's second all-time
leading reciever with 187 receptions in
his career. Other honors Kelly received
include being named the No. 6 recieving
prospect in the country by Super
Prep Magazine, being named to the Nation's
Top 100 squad, by USA Today,
being rated the No. 2 prospect in the
state, being named first team All-South
by Sport South recruiting service, and
having participated in the Shrine Bowl.
Kelly says his mother served as his
source of inspiration as a kid and still
does today. He offers this advice to
vounper athletes asnirin? to Dlav SDorts
of Gain
The third member of this posse is
junior Kerry Hood. His main goal this
season was to catch every pass that
came his way. By doing this, he feels
he can really help his team. In five years
or so, Hood sees himself as the proprietor
of one or two small businesses.
"The most important part of my fife,
ture plans is having a family," Hood
said.
Hood lettered in 1995 as a true freshman
on special teams anil as a reciever.
As a reciever he caught six passes
for 58 yards. This season, Hood has 12
catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
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season was when he ran a reverse
for 30 yards against Louisiana Tech.
A broken foot kept Hood sidelined
during his second season, but in his
third season, as a sophomore, Hood improved
tremendously, scoring a careerhigh
six touchdowns. This statistic
ranked him second on his team. Some
of Hood's best performances include the
game against Florida in which he caught
the Gamecocks' first score of the game,
the game against Georgia in which he
caught a 41-yard touchdown pass and
had four catches for 62 yards, and his
two scores in the season opener against
UCF.
Hood also had a distinguished high
school career. He played wide reciever,
quarterback and cornerback at Harper
High School in Atlanta. He received
such honors as an All-Southeast selection
by Blue Chip Illustrated, two time
all-city selection, and was ranked as
one of the top 50 players in the state of
Georgia. Growing up, Hood gained inspiration
from his older brothers. To
young athletes .who want to succeed,
Hood says, "Keep your head high regardless
of what happens."
"I do not live my life by one quote,
but rather by Christ," Hood said. "He's
the one who strengthens me."
Hood's most thrilling moment as
an athlete took place at his high school
homecoming. In that game, as quarterback,
Hood rushed for four touchdowns,
including the game-winning
score with 50 seconds left.
Kerry Hood has 12 catches for 112
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The final member of the quartet is
junior Ben Fleming.
"My main goals this season are to
catch everything that comes my way,
improve everyday and just play hard,"
Fleming said. Fleming would love to
play professional football, but if that
doesn't pan out he sees himself in some
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yards and two TDs this year.
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they and the rest of the Gamecocks travel
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CCAM DAVCADn
ably the federal side.
Unlike his fellow wide receivers,
Fleming is somewhat superstitious. He
always listens to Master P and plays
Tetris the night before a game on the
road. In his first season at USC, in
1996, Fleming came on as a key reserve.
His best game his freshman year was
against Auburn when he caught
three passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
In his sophomore season, Fleming
also played well against Auburn, this
time catching three passes for 65 yards,
his largest career output.
After 10 games this season, Fleming
has 23 catches for 324 yards and
one touchdown. His 14.1 yards-per-catch
average for players with more than
10 catches is second on the team to
Davis.
At Ribault High in Jacksonville,
Fla., Fleming caught 60 passes for 1,028
yards and 10 touchdowns. These statistics
earned him honors as a class 4A;
All-State selection and a spot on Florida's
Super 75 Team.
Fleming says his main source of inspiration
was his father, but the rest of
his family also played a large part. Fleming
offers this advice to younger athletes,
"Follow your dreams and never
stop working towards them."
Fleming lives his life by the quotation,
"Failure to prepare, prepares you
to fail."
Receiver Ben Fleming cites his first
ever touchdown for USC as his most
thrilling moment in sports. "It came my
freshman season against Auburn, it
was very exciting. Hopefully there will
be more where that came from."
mi. _ i.i l n i