The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 08, 2000, Page 13, Image 13
cEThc (Samccork
Georgia coach Donnan tells team
to be wary of Gamecocks Saturday
^ by Pete Iacobelli
Associated Press
If Georgia’s past doesn’t matter, neither does South Caroli
na’s to Georgia coach Jim Donnan.
“All people talk about to us is how many times we’ve lost to
Tennessee and Florida and what’s happened in the past. But that’s
immaterial,” said Donnan, whose ninth-ranked Bulldogs face
South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday.
So he wants his team to see the Gamecocks as 1 -0, not 1 -21.
“They’re off to a good start, got the same record as we do,” he
said. 3
The Gamecocks ended their worst in the nation, 21 -game los
ing streak with a 31 -0 victory over New Mexico State last week,
their first since coach Lou Holtz arrived in December 1998.
The win has given them a jolt of confidence as they try and
break an 18-game Southeastern Conference losing streak that
t dates to 1997.
Georgia, however, is favored by oddsmakers, with the spread
ranging from 10 points to two touchdowns. Bulldog supporters
are talking national title and a South Carolina struggle is not in
their plans.
HBMHI -!-I ' I ■ * .m-«
Among the Bulldog faithful who consider this the strongest
Georgia team since Herschel Walker ran through the hedges at
Sanford Stadium two decades ago, the Dawgs are expected to roll
until October, then defeat Tennessee on Oct. 7 and settle the SEC
East division with a win against Florida three weeks later.
And that’s what worries Donnan about South Carolina.
Donnan “has made it well known to us that anything can hap
pen,” linebacker Will Witherspoon said.
Tight end Randy McMichael says the players got the mes
sage. “Anytime it is an SEC game it counts more... because we
are trying to go undefeated in the SEC East,” he said. “We are go
ing to play them just like we were playing Florida or Tennessee.”
Sometimes, that’s not enough for Georgia in this series.
In 1993, South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhiil led a
last-second drive for a 23-21 victory. Gamecock fans still trea
sure Georgia broadcaster Larry Munson’s call of tailback Bran
don Bennett’s TD.
In 1996, a strong Georgia team came into Wlliams-Brice with
title hopes and left a 23-14 loser.
Two years ago Bulldogs star Quincy Carter was rattled and
ineffective for the first half against the Gamecocks, throwing
for 10 yards, before he and the team recovered for a 17-3 victo
ry
Holtz hopes the Gamecocks can keep it that close, though he
has sounded at times this week like the featured speaker at a “Go
Dawgs” rally.
After the win over New Mexico State, Holtz’s first since
retiring from Notre Dame in 1996, the coach said he knew his
players and Gamecock fans were ready to take on Geoigia “be
cause you think you have an improved football team, which we
are.”
“But Geoigia is a vastly improved football team,” he said.
Holtz sees in Carter a Heisman Trophy contender, and he says
the Bulldogs’ defense with new coordinator Gary Gibbs already
has eliminated the few big plays that cost them last year.
“They have unbelievable quickness and they dominated the
line of scrimmage against us last year,” Holtz said. “I doubt if we.
play a better football team.”
Geoigia has its problems. Linebacker Boss Bailey, a defen
sive leader, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 29-7 win
over Geoigia Southern last week.
Reserve linebacker Tony Gilbert and tight end Robert Bran
non also won’t play against South Carolina. They are the last of
Geoigia’s seven players who had to miss a game because of their
unauthorized use of a university long-distance telephone code.
Associated Press
Top 25
1. Nebraska
2. Florida State
3. Michigan
4. Miami (Fla.)
5. Wisconsin
6. Texas
7. * Kansas State
8. Florida
9. Georgia '
10. Virginia Tech
11. Southern California
12. Tennessee
13. Alabama
14. Purdue
15. Washington
16. UCLA
17. Clemson
18. Ohio State
19. Ole Miss
20. Oklahoma
21. Illinois
22. Texas Christian
23. Notre Dame
24. Michigan State
25. Southern Miss
—-■—-i
Sean Rayford The Gamecock
USC running back Derek Watson, center, takes a handoff from quarterback Phil Petty, left, against New
Mexico State last Saturday. Watson gained 114 yards on 14 carries in the game.
tSw
^^ Gamecock Sports Challenge
Georgia-USC
Missouri-Clemson
Auburn-Ole Miss
Miami-Washington
Nebraska-N.D.
A A
Sports~l
Editor
(4-1)
use
Clemson
Ole Miss '
Miami
N.D.
Asst Sports
Editor
(3-2)
Georgia
Clemson
Die Miss
Miami
Nebraska
/\
Editor in
Chief
0-2)
Georgia
Clemson
Auburn
Miami
Nebraska
Defending
Champion
(4-1)
Georgia
Clemson
Ole Miss
Washington
Nebraska
_
_
Kevin
Langston
(4-1)
Georgia
Clemson
Auburn
Washington
Nebraska
Want to know
what the talk is about?
Listen and find out. _
4_
Do you want a chance
to roam the sidelines
at Williams-Brice or
sit courtside when
USC takes on the
Kentucky basketball
team? Then join The
Gamecock Sports
Photography staff.
Call 777-7726.
ft \ / I I /
1 V ^ II «Q9^^B /
ft (09 #
/you are ready /or a /?£AZ Tailgate Party, then come on by! 1I
tie Sec°i\<l Great GAMECOCf^ '^BftB
Tailgate Fart# 0f ?000
September 9 (USC vs. GEORGIA) 1:00 - 3:00 pm K i \
featuring the band, "WILL HOGE" l/\ \ \
Seawell's parking lot -1125 Rosewood Drive
across the street from "the ROCKET'at the State Fairgrounds. y^i\ I
// The best part is that it is all FREE: Music, Lots of Great Food, Drinks and Door Prizes. >vl|
ISouvenirs for the first 250 USC students in attendance. /
^ U General parking is available at Seawell's for $5 per vehicle. V\7 / /
11 FREE Bus Shuttle to the Tailgate Party and back to campus after the Game! W I
II 12:30 & 1:30 pm: Pick ups at the Russell House, Columbia Hall & Bates House jSII
1/ Actual time or event may change due to funding or programmatic decisions. For additional information, please all 777-7130. //Y\
/ / Department of Student life _ Division of Student tk Alumni Services | \ \
It's football season, and like your favorite football team, maybe it's time to make an
extended road trip. So grab some friends and board the nearest Amtrak® train. With huge,
comfortable seats, food aplenty, and all your friends around, it's like the world’s fastest tailgate
party. For information on fares to our over 500 destinations, call your travel agent or Amtrak
at 1-800-USA-RAIL, or visit our website at www.amtrak.com. Amtrak®
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Intramural Golf Tournament
CTournament to be held on Friday, September 29
at the Indian River Golf Club
Tee times 12:04pm - 3:00pm
Two-Man Best Ball
Tournament
Four players/team or play
as an individual.
i
Awards for longest drive
and closest to the pin.
Signups being accepted
now thru Thursday , Sept.
14th.
$20 per person.
I Men’s, Women’s and
Greek divisions offered.
F aculty/Staff welcome.
The Office of Campus Recreation
202 Blatt PE Center
777-5261
Department of Student Life
Division of Student and Alumni Services
use