Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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'Che Gamecock Sports Extra Eagles look to soar in 2000 GAME 3 September 16 Williams-Brice Stadium 7 P.M. After a dismal 4-7 record a year ago, Eastern Michigan will kick off what they hope is a new era. The Woodruff era. "There is no doubt that you build a program with pride and ex citement, and we have encouraged our team in those two areas," said first-year head coach Jeff Woodruff, who has been an assis tant coach at Washington and Ari zona. The new era will consist of a few familiar faces including senior Walter Church, the returning sig nal-caller. Church has amassed 6,816 yards and 32 touchdowns in his 29-game career. Returning to the backfield will be Eric Powell, who gained 583 yards as a sopho more. Pushing Powell for playing time will be junior John White and sophomore Rich Schutt. A tough spot to fill for the Ea gles will be at wide receiver. EMU lost their pass-catching duo, Bran don Campbell and Jermaine Sheffield. But eight returning let terman return for receiving duties, so all is not lost. Senior Matt Kelly will be back to start at tight end. Special teams should be a strength this year for EMU. Nick Avondet is a third-year punter on the collegiate level, while place kicker Toller Starnes returns after leading the team in scoring a year ago. Against the Eastern Michigan defense, it may be tough to get past their linebackers. Scott Rus sell and Jason Short are both third year starters and finished with 105 and 97 tackles, respectively. The defensive front should be deep as well, returning four stand outs in James Turner, Nik Buck rneier, Jari Brown and Jermaine Kyles. Eastern Michigan will play a tough pre-conference schedule the road September 16. "This is a great schedule for us," said Woodruff. "The fact that we open with two home games, with a non-conference first game, is great." by Scott Bryan The Gamecock playing the likes of Connecticut and Miami before facing USC on Walt Church will lead the Eastern Michigan offense into the new millenium. Rebuilding at MSU Last season was one that Missis sippi State fans will never forget. by Kyle Almond The Gamecock A Peaeh Bowl victory against Clemson and a last-second win against in-state rival Mississippi capped off a thrilling year that saw the Bulldogs go 10-2 and finish No. 13 in the AP The Bulldogs lost eight starters from the nation’s No. 1 defense. GAME 4 September 23 Williams-Brice Stadium 12:30 p.m. rankings. On their way to their ten wins, the Bulldogs won five of their games by a grand total of 10 points. That aver ages out to only two points a win. Yes, if Mississippi State's season was anything, it was thrilling. Much of the credit has to go to the nation’s top-ranked defense. The Bull dogs absolutely suffocated opposing of fenses, allowing 20 points only twice in 12 games. But some credited MSU’s sched ule, which didn’t include SEC giants Florida, Tennessee, or Georgia, as a lit tle on the easy side. Whatever the case may be, Missis sippi State did win 10 games last year, and despite losing eight starters from that top-ranked defensive unit, the team still MlSS. STATE SEE PAGE 4 SHOW YOUR USC SPIRIT! selection of Gamecocks clothing and Addams University Bookstore I I " ... /. , . ' .; • Much* much morel .■ V ' ■ ' V' ’ > ' \ ■'». * ' m - • ■ Sss** #*** w#*. ■; .cani v