Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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f IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN arrives Excitement climaxes on first weekend of college football’s favorite games The best quotes I heard from Florida fans while leaving the stadium Saturday after the game: “Urban Meyers got some splaining to do.” “(Meyer) better be crying -now!” The best quotes I heard from Tennessee fans while leaving Neyland Stadium three weeks ago: “Of all the Graduate teams in the student in world to lose to sports and Spurrier""” entertainment opuinci.... management “It’s great . to be . a Vanderbilt Commodore!” (sarcasm) “I hate Spurrier . AHHHHHHHH!!!!” It has been a special year so far. Now there is only the question of settling the score with an old foe — the Clemson Tigers. Prediction: South Carolina 31 Clemson 30 Upon reading my prediction last week that Navy would beat Notre Dame 33-0, many people thought I had finally gone off the deep end. In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that my capacity to think objectively about the game was hindered by the fact that my dad is actually a coach for the Navy football team. As a die-hard Navy football fan, the Notre Dame game looms very large on the schedule every year, and there have actually been two games in recent years, 2002 and 2003, where Navy led Notre Dame going into the fourth quarter only to lose in the final moments. With a few close calls every once in a while, you can see how there is reason to remain optimistic even as the “winning streak” has climbed to 42 straight games. On Sunday, I jokingly referred to one of my friends (I do have a couple), a member of the color guard, as a “band geek.” I meant absolutely nothing by it, and I was only trying to be funny. Apparently, my comment to her was taken in an offensive manner, because you see, people in the band work very hard at what they do. They put in a great deal of time and hard work, and they are often left feeling unappreciated for their efforts. Nobody has a better understanding of the significance that a college football marching band plays in contributing to the overall atmosphere of the game than I do. The marching band, the cheerleaders, the mascots, the tailgating, the alumni, the passion — it is all of these things that makes college football so great. It is what makes college football so much more appealing than the generic NFL. Just so that everyone out there knows how much I love the band, here are a few interesting tidbits on the history of college football marching bands: Notre Dame has the oldest marching band that has remained in continuous existence, having formed in 1886, and it was there for the very first Irish football game in 1887. Purdue was the first band to form a letter “P” on the field in 1907. Illinois is believed to be the first band to spell out actual words on the field in 1910. Texas A&M and Florida State are generally considered the schools with the largest bands, having between 410 and 450 members. Bands can also be very funny. In 1986, a member of the Virginia Pep Band during the Maryland game dressed up in a striped shirt with a ball and chains attached to his leg. This was to make fun of then Maryland governor Marvin Mandel, who was under investigation for corruption and later found guilty. The Maryland state legislature actually passed a law banning the Virginia band from playing in the state. In 1991, when Virginia played Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl, the Virginia band put on a show where they mockingly killed Elvis, enraging the Vol faithful. Stanford was banned from having its band play in Notre Dame’s stadium in 1991 after one of the drum majors dressed up as a nun. Years later, two Stanford band members urinated in the corner of the field after a postgame show. And no one will ever forget the amazing “the band is on the field” game between Cal and Stanford in 1982. After taking the lead with only seconds left, Stanford kicked off to Cal. The Stanford band ran onto the field thinking the game was over. Several laterals later, a Cal return man bowed his way through the band and into the end zone, winning the game for Cal. If you know anyone in the band, thank them; let them know how much we appreciate their contribution in making' game day as fun and exciting as it is. This week’s games: Michigan vs. Ohio State: Rivalry weekend is here, and this epic battle will be just as intense as ever. Ohio State’s offense has "been coming on strong in recent -weeks. • Prediction: OSU28 Michigan 20 Alabama vs. Auburn: Auburn is riding high after knocking off Georgia last week, while Alabama suffered its first defeat against LMJ in overtime. Prediction: Auburn 24 Alabama 17 USC vs. Fresno State: Fresno State might be the most explosive team outside of Notre Dame that the Trojans have faced this season. Prediction: USC54 Fresno State Penn State vs. Michigan State: Joe Pa will wrap up the Big Ten title with a win against the Spartans. Prediction: Penn State 35 Michigan State 31 Last week: 3-3 Season: 35-17 28 \ + Head of USC football for seven years with a 45-36-1 record ♦ Beat Clemson 56-20 in 1975 ♦ Coached Heisman Trophy winning running back George Rogers CRRLGI) • CODTintlCD PROIT) 66 “Holderman and The State paper wiped out my seven years,” Carlen said. “(President Holderman relieved me.) I called The State paper last Sunday to tell (them) that I wanted to thank you because for the first time you admitted that you covered up for Dr. Holderman. And that cost me my job. People ask, ‘Coach, why didn’t you tell us?’ I say I’m not bigger than the university. That’s for the board of trustees to have known that. I wasn’t wrong was I? It took 10 years. But he’s in his third prison.” The reason behind Holderman’s decision was based on demands that Carlen allow him access to the Gamecock Club funds, since as athletics director Carlen had the rights over their use. When he continued to refuse, it ultimately led to his dismissal. “I pray for him every night,” Carlen said. “Now most people don’t understand that. I got relieved for mysterious reasons. He wanted the money, I wouldn’t give it to him because I’m accountable for it. They say, ‘Coach you’re hardheaded.’ Yeah. ‘You’re opinionated.’ Yeah. ‘Fair. Honest.’ Yeah. But most of my players will tell you I treat them all fair. I don’t play favorites.” Even though he was let go, Carlen’s success as a coach could still be felt three years later. Morrison inherited a talent-rich team that became part of Carolina lure with the 1984 Black Magic team. “We had worked so hard, my coaches with recruiting,” Carlen said. “The ‘84 team, 18 of those starters were kids we recruited. Those were things my coaches worked hard at, recruiting and coaching.” Thirty years have passed since Carlen last walked the sidelines at Carolina. Even though he never went back into coaching, Carlen never lost his passion for the game. He resides Hilton Head, working with businesses throughout the Southeast, and Columbia, watching his son in local high school sporting events. His passion not only for the game, but for the people he surrounded himself with, is eminent through his remarks about the people of South Carolina. “I’ve been gone from here 25 years,” Carlen said. “Carolina people are good people, they’re giving people, they’re loyal. But they’re frustrated.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gurm. sc. edu The Challenge: Every week, The Gamecock's readers and staff test their sports knowledge with game predictions. Want to be Reader of the Week? E-mail selections for next week’s games to gamecocksports@gwm.sc.edu and see if you have the best knowledge of college football around the country. Virginia Ted Michigan Auburn So. Cal Miami Penn St. Tennessee Boston Kentucky USC, 35-U i Virginia Tech Ohio St. Alabama So. Cal Miami Penn St. Vanderbilt Maryland Kentucky USC, 31-24 Virginia Tech Michigan Auburn Fresno St. Miami Penn St. Tennessee Boston Kentucky USC, 30-28 Virginia Ted Ohio St. Auburn So. Cal Miami Penn St. Tennessee Boston Kentucky USC, 63-17 Virginia Ted Ohio St. Auburn So. Cal Miami Penn St. Tennessee Maryland Kentucky USC, 65-13 Virginia Tech Ohio St. Auburn So. Cal Miami Penn St. Vanderbilt Boston Kentucky USC, 31-24 Spurrier, red-hot Gamecocks prep revenge on 2004s head-kicking Clemson Tigers Season would not be complete without win against orange Taters 1) Will Sidney Rice continue his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown reception? I realize that the streak ended last week, but Carolina is still undefeated when I ask this question, so get used to it. Plus, the idea behind it is still there — who can stop Sidney Rice? Will it be Sergio Gilliam, who, according to Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning, single-handedly allowed between 120 and 140 passing yards against Duke (DUKE?!)? Will it be Duane Coleman, who wasn’t exactly the fastest guy out there anyway — and then he broke his foot. Or will it be Tye Hill, who is blazing fast, but just recently became tall enough to ride the big boy rides at Carowinds? I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out. 2) Does Steve Spurrier remember the “bring on Spurrier” chant from last year’s game at Clemson? I doubt he would admit it, but you know he has to remember it. I have no idea why you would taunt a man who has made a living embarrassing entire stadiums full of people and winning SEC championships doing it. That’s like the Titanic calling out an iceberg. It’s like the French calling out Lance Armstrong. It’s like every person that has challenged me to a game of H-O-R-S-E. There are certain people that you just don’t mess with. Steve Spurrier is one of those people. 3) Will shaking hands before the game help to ease the tension? Forcing grown men to line up, shake hands and pretend they respect each other before a football game is not how you keep them from fighting. If the administrators really want to prevent anything bad from happening, they should visit each locker room before the game and let the players know that anyone who throws a punch will be kicked off the team — period. Or have Chuck ^Norris be the head referee, either way Photo courtesy of the Associated Press A Clemson football player kicks a USC player during last year's fourth-quarter brawl at Death Valley. The rivalry resumes Saturday. with Jalte Broom Third-year political science student CLEMSON should work. 4) If things get tough, will Clemson running back James Davis stick around? During practice in August, Davis didn’t think he was getting enough carries. So, he did what all mature adults would do — he went home. When he returned, he was no longer the backup tailback — he was running with the first team. The lesson, as always, is that if at first you don’t succeed, just go home and Tommy Bowden will make you a starter. If Clemson goes into the half losing, don’t be surprised if you look over the edge of the stadium and see Davis trying to hitchhike his way back to Atlanta. 5) Who wants to hire Yusef Kelly? In a recent interview, former Clemson running back Yusef Kelly, famous for kicking a defenseless Gamecock in the head during last year’s brawl, discussed his inability to find a job since his graduation. Who knew that kicking a defenseless person in the head on live television would hurt your reputation? He pointed out that not only has the brawl made his marketing degree from Clemson useless, but it has hurt his chances with NFL teams. Call me crazy, but I didn’t realize the market for slow running backs that got beaten out by Duane Coleman (now playing on defense) and Reggie Merriweather (now backing up a 19-year-old true freshman) was so high. I don’t understand why teams weren’t jumping at the chance to draft this guy. He has Pro Bowl written all over him. I’ve got an idea. Maybe he could create his own reality show, “Who wants to hire Yusef Kelly?” He could go to a different NFL team every week and the viewers would get to see NFL executives laugh in his face as he begs for a tryout. Clearly this show is filled with potential comedy, and I’ll expect royalty checks when it takes off. Don’t get mad at me. I’m just trying to help the guy out.