Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Pinkins to take on new role as leader BY PETE IACOBELLI THE ASSOCIATED PRESS COLUMBIA, S.C.—He’s poised, he’s confident, and he’s finally the man. Much has changed for Dondrial Pinkins, who’s gone from on-and-off backup most of last season to South Carolina’s starting quarterback heading into training camp next month. The new title has given Pinkins a new sense of leadership and responsi bility. “The maturity, you could see it grow” during the offseason, said South Carolina coach Lou Holtz, who spoke at an awards banquet at Pinkins’ high school, Mitchell Baker High in Mitchell County, Ga. He watched as Pinkins was treated like a national champion, Heisman Trophy winner. “He’s a legend in that high school,” Holtz said, laughing. Pinkins hopes he can gain leg endary status as South Carolina’s quarterback the next two years, as well. He’s already got the swag ger and what he thinks is the right game plan to take advantage of his 6-foot-2, 250-pound strength. Pinkins once won a high-school distance contest with a 73-yard heave. “I look forward to throwing the ball about probably 40 or 50 times a game,” he said. Forty to SO times? On a team coached by grind-it-out Lou Holtz? “Yeah,” Pinkins said. That will be something to see, especially since Pinkins ran as much as he threw (54 runs to 65 passes) all last year. He was supposed to push 26 year-old senior Corey Jenkins for the starting job last fall, but an an kle injury cost him time at train ing camp and kept him out of South Carolina’s first two games. By the time Pinkins felt solid again, Jenkins had established himself as the team’s leader and its best chance for victory. There were a few positive Pinkins moments. He had a 23 yard TD pass in a win at Vanderbilt. He rushed for 50 yards and threw for 45 on 5-of-9 passing in mop-up duty against Mississippi State. However, most of Pinkins’ time was spent preparing and waiting for a chance that was long in coming.. That changed last November when Lou Holtz, desperate to end a late-season losing streak, moved Jenkins to defense with two games left and gave Pinkins the keys to the offense. “All of a sudden the weight is on your shoulders, and you’re ei ther going to run from it or re spond to it,” Skip Holtz said. “And he’s really responded to it.” Pinkins brought some life to South Carolina’s sputtering attack in losses at Florida and Clemson. He threw for 179 yards and led a pair of third quarter touchdown drives at Death Valley as the Gamecocks rallied to lead 20-13 be fore eventually falling 27-20. Before Pinkins’ scores — one was an electrifying 70-yard pass play to speedy receiver Troy Williamson—South Carolina had managed only 14 points its previ ous 10 quarters. “Just knowing I got to start those last two games of the season, being in for the full time of the game, knowing that the guys will follow if you lead them,” Pinkins said, “it’s just really motivated me.” But Pinkins has acted like a leader all summer, Skip Holtz said. Pinkins has led passing drills with his receivers to improve tim ing. In some sit-down meetings with Lou Holtz, he’s chewed over a styles and techniques he’ll use to steer the team. And he’s seen a different side of life in an off-season job with at torney Debra Chapman. Pinkins would often deliver documents to courthouses and local jails. Some prisoners would recog nize Pinkins on his runs “and want to talk football, or see if they could get some tickets,” the quarterback said. “Too bad they won’t be able to use them.” Summer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 that I learned to trust absolutely no one in sports. No matter how great they seem on the basketball court or football field, they are hu man and will screw up just like anyone. Actually, this is a lesson that I’ve learned before, but seem to forget when the next phenom rolls through. . Speaking of phenoms. it’s now clear to me that LeBron James, nicknamed King James, might rule not only the NBA but the en tire galaxy by the end of the year. No one has ever received so much attention for playing summer bas ketball. Hello, he is just a basket ball player, not the next Louis XIV. aiiu since i in on me i\0ft, i guess I’ve learned when there is nothing else going on in the sports world, the NBA takes precedence on TV and in news papers. Of course, it doesn’t help when a different player is arrest ed every day. It will be October before the NBA tips off, which means teams are scurrying now to fill roster spots for those in prison or working on our nation’s highways. Finally, I took some golf lessons this summer but not on the course. I now think that no one in all of golf is scared of Tiger Woods. Maybe he is in a slump or has lost. his mental drive. Regardless, he was in contention in both the British Open and U.S. Open but came up short to a guy who was playing in his first major and a strong veteran who was after his first title. Also, even with the aid of Ernie Els, the second-ranked golfer in the world. Woods can’t knock off underdogs Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson. It’s clear that these guys regard Tiger as a great player now instead of an unbeatable god. And I would mention what I’ve learned from the baseball season this summer but it compares greatly to the classes I’ve taken. So, as summer dwindles away and NFL training camps open up, it’s time to focus on the real meat of sports-football. In fact, only one month from today those white helmets will come bursting through that smoke and prosaic life can come to an abrupt end. Senkiw is a fourth-year print journalism student. THE GAMECOCK SPORTS is looking for people interested in writing or editing sports stories beginning in August. Applicants interested in editing should have some previous writing experience. E-mail gamecocksports fehotma il.com Directions: Just across the Gervais St. Bridge - Left at Second Light