Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Game 3 GEORGIA 3:30 p.m., Sept. 14 Columbia, S.C. BY KYLE ALMOND THE GAMECOCK Things aren’t any different this season for Georgia — the Bulldogs are still expect ed to be a major contender for the SEC championship. Georgia has underachieved the last few seasons, but head coach Mark Richt, in his second year as head coach, is determined to get his team over that hump. _ great targets in receivers Terrence Edwards and Fred Gibson, so the Georgia passing at tack should be as strong as ever. The key will be Musa Smith at the tail back position. The Bulldogs had problems controlling the clock last season, and it will be important for Smith to get off to a fast and healthy start. Smith was troubled by a nagging groin injury last season. Helping Georgia’s cause is a veteran of fensive line led by Jon Stinchcomb and Kevin Breedlove. Boss Bailey runs the show from his linebacker position, and along with fellow linebacker Tony Gilbert, he will make it tough on opposing running backs. The secondary hurt the team last year— USC’s Brian Scott burnt cornerback Bruce Thornton for the game-winner in Athens —but it has learned its lesson. With junior Jonathan Sullivan on the line, the Bulldogs have talent spread around the defense. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 8 in the AP’s preseason poll, but they’ve been there before. “As far as rankings, the ones that really matter are the ones at the end of the sea son,” Bailey said. “We’re striving to be in the top five at the end of the season. It’s past overdue to win a SEC championship.” An important step for Georgia will come early against the Gamecocks at Williams Brice Stadium. USC has beaten Georgia two years in a row. It will be imperative for UGA to get a better start if it expects to go far in the SEC. It can’t afford to slip up once again. PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK David Greene is Georgia's starting quarterback, but head coach Mark Richt said he plans on using backup D.J. Shockley as well this season. Game 4 TEMPLE 7 p.m., Sept. 21 Columbia, S.C. BY CHRIS FOY THE GAMECOCK Fifth-year head coach Bobby Wallace and his Temple Owls enter the 2002 sea son with the intent of building on last year’s less-than-stellar 4-7 performance. The Owls will return 17 starters from the team that finished last in the Big East in 2001, and despite Wallace’s 12-32 overall record since arriving at Temple, he remains op- _ timistic about the team’s ' expectations. “Our goal has never changed,” Wallace said. The goal “is to have a winning season and go to a bowl. As far as my expectations, it’s simply for this team to be a good as it can be.” This year, the Owls will unveil a new offense for the third time under Wallace. After trying out the slot-I option as well as the West Coast offense in past years, Temple will go with a no-huddle spread offense this season. The Owls will have 10 offensive ♦ OWLS, SEE PAGE 8 He has the weapons to do so. The offense is stacked, there’s great lead ership on defense, and the Georgia fans are some of the best in the country. Redshirt sophomore David Greene is without question the starting quarterback, Richt says. Greene matured fast in Richt’s no-huddle attack last season and passed for 17 touchdowns. But athletic backup D. J. Shockley is ex pected to get some playing time as well. “We’ll play D. J. early in every ballgame,” Richt said. “How well he does will decide how much more playing time he’ll get.” Both Greene and Shockley will have ICR«Urv MMM FINE GREEK CUISINE I Greek Dinners, Greek Appetizers, B Seafood, Steaks, Salads, Desserts g (803)794-7552 1 Visit Our Lounge - Private Party Room IS TAKE OUT SERVICE I 2312 Sunset Boulevard (H'way 378) (2 Blocks North of I-26) West Columbia, SC THE KOUTRAKOS I FAMILY I WORKING FOR STUDENTS WHO WORK FOR US. UPS DELI VERS EDUCATION "Work Out While You Work" Interested part-time applicants should contact United Parcel Service @ 822-6294 An equal opportunity employer, m/f/h/v