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0 THE GAMECOCK • Wednesday, Aug. 3,2005 | I' |'\ COMING UP IN SPORTS L | I \ W I 111 We continue profiling the greats of Gamecock football. K J B X. J _ B K. J Next issue: George Rogers. f PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE SAFRAN Ryan Brewer extends the football after scoring one of his three touchdowns in the 2001 Outback Bowl. Brewer, an Ohio native, had a career high of 109 yards rushing against Ohio State. ■ Alex Riley gives us a look back on the men who helped shape the USCprogram Tom Price, Gamecock historian, wrote in his book “Tales from the Gamecock Roost”: “Gamecocks are known for their courage in battle and willingness to fight to the death.” If that statement holds true, Ryan Brewer was destined to wear -the garnet and black. Brewer, a native of Troy, Ohio, arrived at Carolina with a list of credentials that included being tabbed as Mr. Football for the state of Ohio. But his 5-foot-10-inch, 210-pound frame didn’t impress me numc siaic, iiur uiu u unpicks his favorite school, Notre Dame. “It was all about coach Holtz,” Brewer said. “I was a big Notre Dame fan. When I heard he was coming here, I didn’t know much about South Carolina living in Ohio. I decided to go somewhere where someone wants me.” After failing to win a single contest his first year, came 2000 and the biggest turnaround in SEC history. The running game of Derek Watson and Andrew Pinnock dominated the ground, while Brian Scott and Jermale Kelly took hold of the air attack. Brewer had nice games of more than 50 yards on the ground and through the air but nothing for the “highlight reel.” That was until Tennessee came calling. With the game tied at 7-7, quarterback Phil Petty hit Brewer for a 78-yard touchdown pass that would give USC the lead late in the third period. Despite the heroics of the 15th longest passing play in USC history, the Gamecocks fell to the Vols and ended with a 7-4 record and trip to the Outback Bowl to face Ohio State. Things looked bleak for the Gamecocks, as Watson was suspended from the game for team policy violations. Holtz had to implement-a new running back alongside Pinnock’s bruising power. Brewer stepped up for the job, not only to run the ball, but to prove to his home state they had missed an opportunity. Brewer took hold of the ground game, rushing for 109 yards and two scores, while catching three passes for 92 yards and another score, as USC cruised past the Buckeyes, 24-7. l ne game meant a lot to me playing Ohio State,” Brewer said. “It also gave me a chance to play running back. I got a bunch of touches on the ball, and I could actually show what I could do. I figured I might as well take advantage of it. It was exciting being in that limelight for a little bit, against a team I knew I had to prove something to.” Not only did he outplay the Buckeyes, but after being grabbed by the facemask in the fourth period, Brewer proceeded to flip a Buckeye player over his head after reaching the end zone. A 106-yard, receiving effort against Georgia in 2002 made him one of only three players in Gamecock history to have 100 yard receiving and rushing games. Brewer left Carolina as the No. 8 receiver of all-time, totaling 1,136 yards and five touchdowns on 107 receptions. He came close to tying the legendary Sterling Sharpe for consecutive games with a reception, finishing three shy of the record with 31. 1 just like the ract that you can put me anywhere on the field,” Brewer said. “The fact that I can go out and help the team in any way possible is what I wanted to do.” Brewer earned Verizon Academic All-America honors and ♦ GREATS, page 7 Messiah? I’ve heard this crock once before The dog days of summer are slowly coming to a sweaty end — and so is the honeymoon period for Steve Spurrier. As much as I would love to believe all the ALEX RILEY hype around First-year Spurrier being print the “savior” of journalism ~ , student bamecock football, I recall a time when a certain other man was called Columbia’s messiah. Anyone remember Lou Holtz? You know, two bowl victories Lou Holtz? National Coach of the Year Lou Holtz? Yeah, that guy. A great friend of mine once told me the difference between a good coach and great coach: Good coaches do whatever it takes to win. Great coaches don’t get caught doing it. After Holtz finally got “caught,” everyone latched onto Spurrier for reassurance that all would be right in the Gamecock nation. out neres tne tning: ine orate newspaper is running a poll on who the best USC coach of all time is. Guess who’s on the list? Skeevy Stevie. The man hasn’t even coached a single game for us yet, and we act like he’s won a national title. What scares me is that he just might win the poll. To anyone who might have voted or is considering voting for Spurrier, here’s some food for thought: You can’t be the best unless you beat the best. And right now the only people the ♦ RILEY,page 7