The Daily Gamecock 10/16/09

dailygamecock.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

VOL. 103, NO. 36 ● SINCE 1908

Grant given to director for research

Friday 68°

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Saturday 63°

Cancer institute funds to help USC health programs

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Sunday 61°

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Derek Legette STAFF WRITER

women w it h pre-professional majors, high GPAs and an impressive resume of campus activities.

“The hardest part is balancing my schedule,” said Heidelberger.

Above all else, being a USC Cheerleader means hav i ng a g reat g roup of friends.

“Everyone is friends, we all hang out,” Olivia said.

“Everyone motivates everyone to be better.”

USC A r nold School researcher James Herbert has received a $800,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute to fund cancer research, the highest honor given on a federal level.

Herbert is the director of the Cancer Prevention a nd Cont rol Prog ra m and also work s with the Hollings Cancer Center a nd t he Med ic a l Un i ver sit y of HERBERT S o u t h Carolina.

Herbert said the award is given to professors that are “very senior in their own fields.”

The award will also help junior faculty, or assistant professors and students pursuing careers directed towards cancer research.

Herbert says the award is also beneficial to USC’s health programs in general.

“I’m really excited about this, but USC needs this because the faculty and students need the support,” he said.

Other faculty members applaud Herbert’s accomplishment.

“His t rack record of mentoring to st udents and others deserves it,” said Heather Brandt, assistant professor of health promotion, education and behavior. “The award recognizes his commitment to his students, faculty and most of all, his work. I look forward to continuing to do research with him on cancer.”

Brandt, who was mentored by Herbert, is also a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program.

Professor Da n iel L .

Freeman, a chemistry professor, thinks the award is great, provided that it is utilized properly.

“I think it’s a great idea, and I hope that the man is competent enough to handle the responsibility. $800,000 may not be a large amount for cancer research, but it’s a good start.”

There are a broad range of cancer research in the state area, especially at USC. Herbert says he thinks that the school needs to move up to the next tier in order to be on par with other schools that have defined medical backgrounds such as UNC Chapel Hill.

He hopes that the award will also assist in other areas of health such as medicine, social work, nursing and pharmacies.

“The award will cover half of my salary so I’ll have more time for resea rch a nd not wor r y about the mundane,” he said.

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Preston Evans / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

The annual South Carolina State Fair opened Wednesday and will keep its rides and games going through Sunday, Oct. 25.

Fair lights up Columbia C.C.’s Second Chance The Gamecocks hit the road this week as they take on the Crimson Tide.

Fall tradition draws families from across state for rides, food, fun atmospehere Taylor Cheney

THE DAILY GAMECOCK

See page 1B

7 Fall Fashion Tips The Mix has the scoop on the season’s hottest looks, from the musthaves for your closet to the trendiest nail colors.

See page 5A

No matter what age you’re turning, elephant ears, ferris wheel rides and giant plush teddy bears never fail to make any birthday wishes come true.

Right after school, K im Harrison picked up her daughter, Lyric, and two of her best friends, Ashley and Hannah, at Pine Ridge Middle School and hit the road to the South Carolina State Fair to celebrate Ashley’s birthday.

“I think of them more as sisters, though,” Lyric said.

By 9 p.m., the girls had already tested their strength at the Water Shoot, where they each won a big stuffed dog, The Sizzler, The Crazy Mouse and The TiltA-Whirl, or the “Tilt-A-Hurl,” as Lyric called it.

“Pretty much, we stay away from the

Sarah Peterman STAFF WRITER

Second-year First-year print journalism advertising student student

Tete a tete Technology makes its own bitter enemies in the newly classic Mac vs. PC debate.

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security guards. Bloomingburg has dealt with gang violence and high school rivalries. Now in his third year, he continues doing it because he loves making sure the fair maintains a family friendly atmosphere.

The fair isn’t all games and food, though. Throughout the fair, American Idol winner David Cook will be headlining musical events along with Christian rocker Toby Mac and The Charlie Daniels Band.

Family-owned businesses such as Daley’s and Netterfields have been returning to the fair for decades, provided fair-goers with flavored cotton candy and homemade corn dogs.

At only $8 per person and $24 for an unlimited rides wristband, Kim Harrison will definitely bring her family and friends along for the ride next year.

“Mom doesn’t do rides, especially not the ‘vomit inducing’ ones, but I’m glad they’re having fun,” she said.

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Day in the life of: a cheerleader Football high flyers match players’ efforts, enthusiasm at games

Ryan Jeremy Quinn Aaron

vomit-inducing rides, but the Tilt-AWhirl was so much fun.”

Together they agreed the sand-sculpting exhibit and The Polar Express were the best attractions.

“I normally don’t get to go to the fair, but this is like the biggest reward you could ever get” Hannah said.

Founded in 1855, the state fair moved in 1904 to its present location across from Williams-Brice Stadium. Not fi nanced for by state funds, the annual October event is now among the top 50 fairs in the United States and this year, more than 600,000 people are expected to join in the festivities.

Attending since the late 1970s, Ruth Brown traveled 120 miles to show her 3-year-old grandson, Ah’Mari, what her childhood was all about.

“There are more rides now than there used to be,” Brown said. “My favorite part is just enjoying the company of my children, the food and the train ride.”

Senior Deputies Odell Glenn and Robert Bloomingburg do everything they can to ensure the fair’s safety as

W ho has t he power to make 80,000 fans chant at the top of their lungs? A USC cheerleader.

Lauren Oliva, a t hirdyear hotel, restaurant and tourism management student, loves the chance to pump up the crowd during Gamecock football games.

“I love jumping up and down and getting everyone involved,” Oliva said.

This is Oliva’s fi rst year on the squad. She said tryouts were nerveracking.

“There are a few hundred girls there and everyone is good,” Oliva said.

“It’s intense. Everyone is in shape and everyone has all the skills.” While she’s been cheering since middle school, competing for a spot on t he USC team brought cheering to a whole new level.

A lex is Heidelberger, a third-year criminal justice student, said mak ing the squad for USC helped fulfi ll a lifelong dream.

“It’s been my l ifelong dream to cheer for a big school like USC. When I made the team, it was one of the best days of my life.”

Claire Fox, a fourth-year sports medicine st udent, said, “It’s an honor to be on the team.”

Twenty-four girls comprise the all-girls squad at USC. In the fall semester, football is their focus. In the spring, the girls go to cheerleading competitions across the U.S. Each week the girls prac-

tice for t wo hours, three nights a week. They begin practicing specific gameday routines weeks in advance.

Weekly practices consist of running, stretching, jumps, tucks, tumbling and conditioning. The girls are expected to always be in peak physical condition.

“The uniform is defi nitely great motivation to stay in shape,” Oliva said.

The cheerleading coach also expects perfection. If t he girls don’t k now t he routine, they don’t cheer.

“The coach doesn’t cut us any slack,” Oliva said.

After all the week’s hard work, the girls get to have some fun on gameday. Oliva said one of her favorite parts of being a cheerleader is get t i ng ready for t he games.

“Coach loves makeup,” O l i v a s a i d . “ Fo r g a m e makeup we have to have bright red lipstick, a tattoo on our cheek and a huge bow in our hair.”

Ol iv ia a nd her roommates, who are also cheerleaders, blast loud music and all get ready together to lead t he crowd in t he night’s cheers.

“We fi nally get to do our job on gameday,” Fox said.

W hile she loves cheering now, the college level wasn’t always a sure thing for Oliva. Her senior year in high school, she was in a car accident that broke many of the bones in her face. Doctors advised her not to cheer after reconstructive surgeries that put titanium plates and screws in her face.

“Cheerleading has always been my favorite t hing,” said Oliva. “Want ing to cheer in college is what gave me motivation throughout

Provided by Alexis Heidelberger

Alexis Heidelberger, a third-year criminal justice student, is a member of the cheerleading squad for the USC football team. all of the surgeries.”

A s a base cheerleader, one who lifts “flyers” in for tricks, if someone were to fall on her face, all of the reconst r uct ive su rgeries could be made useless in a moment.

“I put a lot on the line for cheerleading,” Oliva said.

But Oliva says it’s worth it to live out her dream.

After cheering her first game, Oliva said it was the most amazing experience she has ever had.

However, all of the girls do much more than cheer.

The team is composed of

TWO

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

CALENDAR

LOCAL & WORLD NEWS

Friday What: Land of the Lost When: 6 p.m.

Where: Russell House

Men pardoned posthumously South Carolina pardoned syndicated radio host Tom Joyner’s great-uncles Wednesday, nearly a century after they were sent to the electric chair for the 1913 murder of a Confederate Army veteran.

Officials believe the two men are the first in the state to be posthumously pardoned in a capital murder case.

Black landowners Thomas and Meeks Griffin were executed 94 years ago after a jury convicted them of killing 73-year-old John Lewis, a wealthy white veteran living in Blackstock, a Chester County town 40 miles north of Columbia. Two other black men were also put to death for the crime.

“This won’t bring them back, but this will bring closure. I hope now that they rest in peace,” Joyner said.

“This is a good day.”

Joyner, who lives in Dallas, and his attorney made a presentation to the state parole and pardon board on Wednesday, then left the room while the board voted.

Family members who flew in for the hearing included his wife and sons, of Dallas, and brother and his family, from Jackson, Miss.

Though he talks to roughly 8 million listeners on the radio daily, Joyner said facing the seven board members “scared me to death.” When he was told how they voted, he said he waved his hands and hugged family members in a flood of relief and joy. He also called in to his radio show.

Theater

What: She is Not Dead When: 7 p.m.

Where: RH Ballroom What:The Hangover When: 9 p.m.

Where: RH Theater Saturday What: Service Satur-

day

When: 10 a.m.

Where: RH Ballroom Sunday What: Hill of the Lord

Worship When: 11 a.m.

Where: RH Theater What: Jack n’ Jill

Meeting When: 2 p.m.

Where: RH room 305 What: PSA Heyward McDonald Series When: 5 p.m.

Where: Rutledge Chapel

Officials: Child not in balloon FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — A 6-year-old boy was found hiding in a cardboard box in his family’s garage attic Thursday after being feared aboard a homemade helium balloon that hurtled 50 miles through the sky on live television.

The discovery marked a bizarre end to a saga that started when the giant silvery balloon floated away from the family’s yard Thursday morning, sparking a frantic rescue operation that involved military helicopters and briefly shut down Denver International Airport.

But Sheriff Jim Alderden turned to reporters during a news conference and gave a thumbs up and said 6-yearold Falcon Heene is “at the house.” ‘’Apparently he’s been there the whole time,” he said.

The boy’s father, Richard Heene, said the family was tinkering with the balloon Thursday and that he scolded Falcon for getting inside a compartment on the craft. He said Falcon’s brother had seen him inside the compartment before it took off and that’s why they thought he was in there when it launched.

SPORTS SCHEDULE WOMEN’S SOCCER Georgia UGA Soccer Stadium Tonight 7 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL Georgia Volleyball Competition Center Tonight 7 p.m.

FOOTBALL Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Tensions rise after incursions

FOLLOW US ONLINE

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea warned South Korea on Thursday that a spate of incursions along their disputed sea border could spark a naval clash, in what analysts said was a threat to reinflame tensions if it doesn’t get what it wants from recent conciliatory gestures.

After months of provocations including nuclear and missile tests, North Korea has recently reached out to Seoul and Washington. It freed American and South Korean detainees, lifted restrictions on border crossings and resumed reunions of families separated by the Korean War. This week, however, it has sent mixed signals to the outside world, starting with a barrage of short-range missile tests on Monday.

Media reports said the North appeared ready to test-fi re more missiles, but it offered a rare apology Wednesday for releasing a torrent of water from a dam that caused a deadly flood in South Korea.

On Thursday, the North accused South Korean warships of broaching its territory in waters off their west coast — the scene of deadly naval skirmishes in 1999 and 2002.

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ES

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— The Associated Press

PIC OF THE DAY

Alayna Dunkerly / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Construction continues at the side of the Thomas Cooper Library. Sewers are roped off as USC maintenance works on the grounds before winter.

WEIRD HEADLINES Is the 22-inch man really a Barack Obama as a vampire — is among the politically haunting headgear on sale for man?

Halloween, a holiday that seems these days No o ne d i s p ut e s t h at 22-i nc h-t a l l Khagendra Thapa Magar is short enough to be the world’s shortest man.

There’s only one problem: He may not yet be a man.

Busted Man Is Literal Pothead, Police Say Police in central Pennsylvania say they’ve nabbed a real pothead.

They said an officer spotted 29-year-old Cesar Lopez inside a convenience store with a bag of marijuana stuck to his forehead.

Investigators said Lopez was seen peering inside h is baseball cap early Sat u rday mor n i ng i n Leba non, about 75 m i les northwest of Philadelphia. When Lopez looked up, the officer noticed a small plastic bag appearing to contain marijuana stuck to his forehead.

‘Barakula’ sinks fangs into Halloween He comes to suck the blood out of your health care system.

“Barakula” — a mask depicting President

to be just as much for adults as it is for kids.

Texas police find woman, 45, living with corpse BIG SANDY, Texas — A 45-year-old Texas woman has been commit ted for mental evaluation after authorities say she lived in an apartment for a week with her dead boyfriend’s body. The Tyler Morning Telegraph reported Big Sandy police were flagged down by a man Friday who reported a stench coming from his sister’s apartment.

Cops: 300-lb man in dress tries to steal rum, cola SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Police said a person believed to be a man disguised as a woman in a black dress tried to steal a bottle of rum and cola drinks from a local drug store. The store’s loss prevention officer unsuccessfully tried to stop the person, who is described as about 20 years old, 6-foot, 3-inches tall and weighing 300 pounds.

TODAY IN HISTORY 1793 Nine months after the execution of her husband, the former King Louis XVI of France, MarieAntoinette follows him to the guillotine.

1854 Abraham Lincoln, then an obscure Congressional hopeful, delivers a speech regarding the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which Congress had passed five months earlier, where he denounced slavery as “immoral.”

1934 Chinese Communists break through Nationalist enemy lines and begin an epic flight from their encircled headquarters in southwest China. Known as Ch’ang Cheng — the “Long March” — the retreat lasted 368 days and covered 6,000 miles.

1946 At Nuremberg, Germany, 10 high-ranking Nazi officials are executed by hanging for their crimes against humanity, crimes against peace and war crimes during World War II.

1996 A stampede of soccer fans before a World Cup qualifying match in Guatemala City kills 84 people and seriously injures more than 100.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

PAGE 4A

Tête à Tête

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief

AMANDA DAVIS Managing Editor

CALLI BURNETT News Editor

KARA APEL The Mix Editor

Copy Desk Chief

KELSEY PACER Sports Editor

CHRIS COX Viewpoints Editor

COLIN JONES

MARILYNN JOYNER

Design Director

Photography Editor

MORGAN REID

KERI GOFF

The 1950s called: they want their racism back Just when we thought it was safe for interracial couples to come out of the closet that plagued them before homosexuality replaced race as the hot topic at the alter, a judge from Louisiana forgets it is 2009.

Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell refused to sign a marriage license to interracial couple Beth Humphrey, 30, and 32-year-old Terence McKay. The judge, who is white, says he is not racist and has no problem with marrying black couples, but that he would not sign licenses By making race for i nter racia l couples out of concer n for a ny f ut u re an issue in denying children the couple may have.

Arguments have been made the license, he is in the past that children with interracial, or more recently, creating a self- homosexual, marriages face more scrutiny and problems fulfiling prophesy. than other children because of the prejudices of society. But who is to make a call on any couples’ parenting before they even have children?

By making race an issue in denying this marriage, Bardwell is creating a self-fulfilling prophecy — his statement itself is a representation of the kind of prejudice that still lingers in the 21st century.

There are plenty of children from interracial couples — why hello, Mr. President — who lead successful lives.

These children have the save opportunities and chances at both wonderful and troubled lives. It’s a risk all couples who undertake parenthood must face.

It’s troubling that almost five decades after our nation’s civil rights movement, there still exists this t ype of bigotry that interferes with people living their lives.

The one silver lining of this story? It didn’t happen in South Carolina.

Mac computers are expensive, boring, inalterable and all around inferior; Apple products purchased for fad appeal

Macs are given undeserved criticism; superior computers have replaced PCs as the technology of choice

If it’s white, shiny, starts with an “i” and has that godforsaken logo on it, Apple fans will buy it. I don’t know if this is because Apple fans are inherently egotistic white supremacists, but every time I see an Apple store — with its blank, minimalist, corporate monotony — I know exactly what Orwell was talking about.

For any communist regime to maintain power it must distribute propaganda. Apple does this with its “Get a Mac” commercials, which advertise its line of computers. In the commercials, Mac owners’ snobbish sense of superiority is displayed. But this sense of superiority is misplaced.

Mac attempts to label its computers as Ryan superior to PCs, but which PCs do they mean?

Quinn Do they mean Dells or Alienwares? PC is a Second-year broad category, and for Apple to insinuate that print journalism student Macs are superior to all types is ignorant at best. That’s like saying Coburg milk is superior to soda; yes, I would rather have a glass of that than a Fresca, but if we’re talking about Coca-Cola then Bessie can jump off a cliff for all I care.

The PC category is vast and versatile, but Macs only run Mac OS and their hardware and appearance cannot be altered.

You can’t pimp your Mac, which is ironic since Mac tries to brand itself as more personal than the cold, corporate PC. Since Apple is run like Rockefeller ran Standard Oil, they have problems with compatibility. PC technology is so tossed about that everything fits.

Due to PCs’ openness and widespread ... appeal, they are prone to viruses. But Macs are not, contrary to popular belief, immune. In fact, Mac users probably don’t get viruses often because nobody is interested in stealing DMB songs off their iTunes. And if you have a good anti-virus and stay away from dirty Web sites nothing should harm your PC, despite what Apple claims. But those dirty Web sites are more for those lonely Mac guys anyway.

Yes, the average student’s Mac is indeed more powerful that the average student’s PC, but that’s because the Mac costs much more. If you were to buy a PC that was the same price as a Mac, the PC would be much more powerful. You pay about $300 bucks extra for that logo, but I suppose along with that logo comes the feeling of acceptance within the bourgeoisie circle of Apple slaves who you can talk with about how powerful your computers are, even though you only use them for Facebook.

And even if you go for the less expensive PC, you’ll still be able to utilize the technological marvels of a mouse with a right-click button, copy-and-paste with out have to press Command, and video gaming.

Macs are incompatible, monotonous, expensive, unalterable and pretentious. How do you like them apples?

You turn on your TV one afternoon after a stressful day of class, and fl ip through the channels for a moment before fi nally settling on reruns of House on USA. During the commercial break you see a witty spot with a younger man wearing stylish, up-to-date clothes and a fatter, older, and a much dorkier fellow wearing a suit that went out of style in the ‘80s. It’s another Mac advertisement.

Now, we a l l k now of t he s e g e n iu s commercials by now, and it’s no surprise that we’re seeing more of them. More often than not you’ll see white or silver laptops with the distinctive Apple Inc. company logo on the back during your journeys to Club Thomas Cooper, and there’s a very good reason.

Jeremy Macs used to carry the stigma of being too Aaron expensive, too complicated, and not “user First-year advertising friendly.” That changed in 2002 when Apple student released OS X (that’s Operating System Ten for all you PC folks). The much-updated operating system had a better user interface and streamlined programming made Macs easier to use. Slowly but surely, PC users started to convert to Mac. But why? Macs didn’t (and still don’t) have the virus problems of PC’s, they became (and still are) easier to use and navigate through menus, and when it comes to media viewing and editing, Mac’s became (and always will be) the yardstick against which all others are gauged. Nobody else could (or ever will) measure up to them.

I grew up on both t ypes of computers because my parents’ jobs differed; my mom needed a PC and my dad needed a Mac. Mac was always and forever will be my first choice in computing. Last August I bought my fi rst, my very own Mac — not a PC. I had college in mind when I made the purchase: I wanted a laptop that I knew wouldn’t give me problems, would perform excellently, and most importantly would last all four years and beyond if need be.

I know I can trust my MacBook to do that, but I wouldn’t be so sure of a PC. The biggest and most important reason why buying a Mac is buying smart is Apple gets everything right the very first time. Windows Vista? Yeah, way to fail Microsoft. In almost the same amount of time that Mac OS X has been on the market, Microsoft has released 3 entirely different operating systems. Mac? They just like to update it every now and then to make it faster, not reinvent the entire program. And people still think PC is better?

Yes you may pay a small premium on Mac, but it’s cheap insurance knowing that you’re getting the superior product that will outperform any PC on the market and will last you for years. Like they say (and they do say it), once you go Mac, you’ll never go back.

Christians hypocritical in gay marriage opposition Homosexuality not the gravest sin in the Bible; believers should focus on issues that cause true harm One of the biggest issues in our country today is gay marriage.

Should it be illegal? Is it wrong? Will it degrade the sanctity of traditional marriage?

Many of people who answer yes to these questions are Christians who believe that if the Bible says it’s wrong, then it is wrong.

Now, coming from a Christian family and growing up around churches and ministries my whole life, I have no problem with this method of thinking. In fact, I believe in much of what the Bible teaches; I do have a problem, however, with the hypocrisy that rages throughout much of this sect of the anti-gay community.

If the basis for keeping gay marriage illegal comes from the Bible, these people should also rally against the other evils that the Bible brings to light, evils that have just as much (and maybe even more) of an effect on our country as gay marriage does.

Premarital sex (1 Corinthians 7:2), divorce

(1 Corinthians 7:10-11) and drunkenness (1 Corinthians 6:10) are all forbidden in the Bible, yet those who push Congress to outlaw gay marriage aren’t pushing Congress to make those ot her t h i n g s i l leg a l.

On t he contrary, several of those people have probably been g uilt y of committing at least one of these sins themselves.

I f we all were to look deep w it h i n ourselves, I t hink it’s safe to a s s u me we a l l wou ld s e e Bryan t h at p r e m a r it a l s e x , divorce Wednland a nd d r u n ken ness a re First-year f a r broadcast worse for the safety and wellbeing of our nation journalism t h a n student the marriage of two men o r women.

On t he su r face a lone, t he problems of premarital sex are staggering when compared to t he problems of gay marriage; sex ually transmitted diseases, premature births and unwanted pregnancies are all far more rampant among unmarried sexually active people than those of their married counterparts.

Divorce is another problem that affects a far wider reach of people than gay marriage

year in school and area of study.

We also invite student leaders and USC faculty members to submit guest c o l u m n s . C o l u m n i s t s s h o u l d ke e p submissions to about 50 0 words in length and include the author’s name and position. Guest columns are limited to three per author per semester.

The editor reserves the right to edit and condense submissions for length and clarity, or not publish at all.

All submissions become the property of The Daily Gamecock and must conform to the legal standards of USC Student Media.

CORRECTIONS If you see an error in today’s paper, we want to know about it.

E-mail us at sagckvew@mailbox.sc.edu.

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IT’S YOUR RIGHT The goal of The Daily Gamecock’s Viewpoints page is to stimulate discussion in the University of South Ca r o l i n a c o m m u n i t y. A ll p u b l i s h e d authors are expected to provide logical arguments to back their views.

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Letters and guest columns should be submitted via e-mail to gamecockeditor@ sc.edu. Letters must be 200 to 300 words in length and include the author’s name,

does. According to fathersof life.org and the Department of Health and Human Services and the Bureau of the Census, 63 percent of all youth suicides are from fatherless homes.

How can gay marriage possibly be worse than something that leads to youths committing suicide?

Finally, the problems of drunkenness and alcoholism are all readily apparent. From health problems to issues relating to physical abuse and the mental state of an alcoholic, drinking causes grief and hardships that gay marriage could never even come close to causing.

But instead of pushing to end all of these very real and very dangerous problems that the Bible says are wrong, those who look to the holy book of Christianity for guidance are seeking to root out a problem that has little effect on them.

If they took their focus off of this problem and directed it toward a more evident threat, perhaps they could make their savior proud and actually make our country a better place.

The Daily

CONTACT INFORMATION Editor-in-Chief AMANDA DAVIS Managing Editor CALLI BURNETT Copy Desk Chief KELSEY PACER Assistant Copy Desk Chief LINDSAY WOLFE Design Director MORGAN REID Assistant Design Director LIZZIE ERICKSON News Editor KARA APEL Assistant News Editors DARREN PRICE JOSH DAWSEY Viewpoints Editor MARILYNN JOYNER Assistant Viewpoints Editor RYAN QUINN The Mix Editor COLIN JONES Assistant Mix Editor ELLEN MEDER

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Offices located on the third floor of the Russell House Editor: gamecockeditor@sc.edu News: sagcknew@mailbox.sc.edu Viewpoints: sagckvew@mailbox.sc.edu The Mix: sagcketc@mailbox.sc.edu Sports: sagckspt@mailbox.sc.edu Online: www.dailygamecock.com Newsroom: 777-7726 Sports: 777-7182 Editor’s Office: 777-3914 Fax: 777-6482 The Daily Gamecock is the editorially independent student newspaper of the University of South Carolina. It is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and nine times during the summer with the exception of university holidays and exam periods. Opinions expressed in The Daily Gamecock are those of the editors or author and not those of the University of South Carolina. The Board of Student Publications

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“Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.”

— George Carlin

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

PAGE 5A

Top 30 Albums

Seven tips for fall fashion Plaid, green nail polish, oversized cardigans en vogue this season Amber Rose

THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Whether walking around campus or going out with friends, here are some new trends to change up the style of any college girl.

1. Green Nail Polish Th is may sound weird at fi rst, but we’re not talk ing t he k ind of lime g reen every girl wears in middle school.

Dark green polish is the “it—color” for fall and ranges from the new Cha nel “Jade” pol ish to OPI’s “Here Today, Aragon Tomorrow” polish. This is especially for those girls who were att racted to t he dark nail polishes of season’s past.

Essentially, green is the new black.

2. Leather Jacket A simple piece that is sure to put a little bad girl into a wardrobe, a leather jacket is a must have for any girl’s collection.

It can be worn with ripped jeans, Converse snea kers a nd a pla i n white T-shirt, or it can be paired with a brightly colored mini-dress to put an edge on something sweet.

The best k ind of leat her jacket should have a worn-in look to get the full effect. Details such as studs or zippers can also add edge to the look.

3. Oversized Cardigans Whether in neutral colors like black, grey, brow n, or dark purple, a loose, sol id- colored ca rd iga n is a n extremely versatile item perfect for achieving that casual, throwntogether look while also looking classic. It can be worn over a simple T-shirt with a belt, over a dress to make it more casual, and even with a pair of shorts. If an element of boldness is desired, then a bright colored or patterned cardigan is the best option. Cardigans are ideal for running to class in a comfortable, yet classy alternative.

4. Wide Belts This is an accessory that can be paired with almost any clothing item and creates a puttogether look. Ideal over a baggy tee or tank, a loose dress, or even over a large cardigan, these belts ca n be fou nd ever y where f rom Banana Republic to Ex press to Target.

5. Studs Studs have been popping up all over the runway shows of

designers like Balmain and Yves Saint Laurent.

W het her add i ng a little detail to a jacket, clutch, belt or dress, these can add a little pu nch to a ny out f it .

Just make sure not to overload on studs or you can come off tacky.

6. Sequins Now sequins may at f irst glance seem like anot her ‘80s t h row b ac k , but it w a s just featured as a “Must Wear Now” item in Vogue

Provided by Interscope

NEW TO WUSC THIS WEEK 1

SOUNDTRACK Where The Wild Things Are Interscope

2

BEAR IN HEAVEN Beast Rest Forth Mouth Hometapes

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FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS I Told You I Was Freaky SUB POP

5

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS Here Comes Science Walt Disney

SOUNDTRACK Where The Wild Things Are — Interscope One wouldn’t expect an art rock maiden like Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to produce the soundtrack to a n a nt ic ipated f i l m based on a children’s book.

But when you have Spike Jonze on board as director, anything is possible. On the soundtrack, O joins forces w it h a choi r of children called The Kids to produce a beautiful and haunting piece.

WUSC Charts 1 2 and was a featured detail for designers such as Phillip Lim on the runway. The key to this trend is moderation — you don’t want to come off looking like a disco ball. A sequined dress paired with minimal accessories is one option, as well as adding a sequin detail like a clutch or pair of heels with a simple d ress. It adds pop to a ny outfit especially on a night out.

7. Plaid A trend that always seems to come back, plaid can transcend into button-down shirts, bags, jackets, and even shoes. Everyone should have a little splash of universally f lat ter i ng pla id i n t hei r wardrobe, but less is more.

Don’t overload.

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Comments on this story?

E-mail sagcketc@sc.edu

Nautical twist on classic Austen novel proves riotous

13 14

15

Author Winters combines Romantic literature, fantastical imagery

16 17

Katie Crocker

THE DAILY GAMECOCK

18

★★★★ out of ✩✩✩✩✩

19

Just as the title proclaims, “Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters” offers the original Jane Austen novel with a new twist — sea monsters. The trial of the high seas begins when the Dashwood Family — Elinor, Marianne, their youngest sister Margaret, and their newly widowed mother find themselves on an island in a rickety shack overlooking a cliff, with not only the waves crashing against the rocky hill side, but a series of lovers that bring both heartache and comfort.

Elinor falls for the rather plain Edward Ferrars while her sister Marianne, a romantic at heart, is pursued both by Willoughby and the half squid half man, Colonel Brandon.

Yet love is never easy and the sisters find themselves fending off social prejudices as well as a host of sea monsters with acid breath and 9-inch teeth.

More exciting than the classic “Sense and Sensibility,” the newer version with sea monsters offer readers a tale filled with something the original lacked — excitement.

The characters, of course, do not lose any of their refined manner throughout the story, such as when a party was attacked by giant jellyfish that consumed one partygoer till nothing was left but a heap of hair and bones. The party resumed after the creature crawled back in the ocean, as if nothing, but a light rain had occurred.

The story is also a more condensed version than the original “Sense and Sensibility” which was so packed of details one would have to read the book in parts before one’s brain exploded. Instead the updated book, while interweaving it’s own new original subplots, neatly arranges the main points of the original novel into various neat packages. At the price of entertainment we give up the eloquence of Jane Austen brought to her novels and the refined views upon a society ruled by social status and engagements.

While the gore and subplots allows for one to read through the book, the bigger picture the novel is trying

20 21

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to relay is lost on the reader who is to busy trying to get to the next page to see what horrible things with rise out of the murky depths. Yet, there is no doubt that “Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters” is a good read. While it will not have you question the morals of your society, your eyes will be glued to the pages allowing you to finish. Later, you can impress your English professors with the fact that you read a classical novel, but it’s not recommended that you use it as a reference in your term papers.

29

Comments on this story? E-mail sagcketc@sc.edu

— Compiled by: Colin Jones

30

Provided by Flight of the Concords

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Provided by Washed Out

WASHED OUT Life Of Leisure [EP] This former USC graduate has been making waves on the blogosphere in the past few months with his debut EP “Life of Leisure.” On “Leisure,” Ernest Greene carefully composes low-fi bedroompop blended together with reverb wrapped vocals and dance influence rhythms.

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The Daily Gamecock ● FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

PAGE 6A

Maher ruminates on politics, society

First-year blogs for Seventeen Student one of 15 chosen to chronicle freshman experience

‘Real Time’ host sees failures, successes in American public

Michelle Reino

THE DAILY GAMECOCK

B.J. Hammerstein MCT Campus

Love h im or hate h im, Bill Maher is a man on a mission. Maher, who hit hard on the big screen last year with the audacious critique of organized religion, “Relig ulous,” has just completed t he seventh season of his HBO series, the political-humor-driven talk show “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

Conser vatives call for his head, and even President Barack Obama — whom Maher generally supports — fi nds himself in the crosshairs of the comic’s verbal assault. No one is safe. And all the verbal carnage, Maher assures, is for a greater cause.

Q: Are the American people really as stupid as you say?

A: It’s not getting any better for the American people. It seems to be getting worse. That’s predictable; education is a cycle. Stupidity breeds more stupidity.

The teachers don’t know anything. What are the kids going to learn with a horrible education system?

Q : Yo u’ v e r e c e i v e d s o m e r e c e nt criticism for calling out President Barack Obama, specifically about health care.

Has the negative backlash fi rst directed at you changed?

A: People are sort of catching on to that. I was saying that a few months ago and getting on Obama’s case, and I was getting booed by my audience. They’re not booing anymore.

I was out last night at the HBO party, these are liberals, I imagine, and a lot of people came up to me and said, “Keep giving it to the president.”

I said something recently about how the President should stop trying to placate the crazies and the right wing and the Republicans and stand up for t he 70 percent of Americans who are not insane and stand up for the people who actually voted for you. That hit a real nerve. I can tell on a sort of anecdotal basis, and from the reaction of the studio audience when

MCT Campus

Comedian Maher urges youth to participate. we did the show, it’s really shifted.

People do not want to be disillusioned by the new President. The liberals felt, f inally, t his is our t ime. Now t hey’re worried. Now what t hey see is more business as usual. We all want to give him the benefit of the doubt, we know it’s a tough job and he inherited a mess, but at the end of the day, is it really change we can believe in when there’s no public options and Wall Street reform has no teeth in it? It really looks a lot like we just changed the color.

Q: It seems that the country’s youths have been pretty quiet. Do you see this changing?

A: Yeah, they don’t seem to be rising up.

It takes the youth, really; they’re the ones that should have the energy, it shouldn’t be the old geezers, but the signs are very worrying. Half of them, apparently, don’t believe in global warming. They think it’s a hoax, which is more of that stupid, stick-their-head-in-the-sand attitude.

Where is the outrage at the generations that have preceded them spending all the money? But the cynicism is so deep and so ingrained; I guess no one feels they can do anything. Even when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the recession was over ... you think that would have been a bigger boom somewhere, but it seems we just take everything in stride.

E ac h y e a r, a ne w freshman class comes to campus, and among the newcomers t here are always a few standouts.

A lexandria Cherr y i s o n e o f t h i s y e a r ’s stars. Landing a part in S e v e nt e e n m a g a z i n e’s “Freshman 15” year-long feature, Cherr y has put her life as a new college st udent on d isplay for readers across the entire nation.

C he r r y, a f i r s t-y e a r v isual com mu n icat ions student, is being highlighted, along with 14 o t h e r s t u d e n t s a t var ious colleges across the nation in a behindthe-scenes look at their freshman year. Sharing her experiences through online blogs, pictures and videos and having articles included in the magazine, C he r r y i s s ho w c a s i n g her life in hopes that her honesty and experiences w i l l help i nfor m ot her girls her age what college life is like.

“I l i ke k now i ng t hat what I’m working on now might help a reader in the f ut ure since I’m giv ing tips and advice for things I ’m le a r n i n g a s I g o,” Cherry said.

Last yea r, Seventeen went through thousands of submissions from across the country to find girls who would be willing to share their experiences of the juicier side of college

so that their readers could be better prepared when they went off to school.

A second round of girls was t hen chosen a nd asked to submit a video of themselves highlighting t h e i r e n e r g y, p a s s i o n a nd c reat iv it y. C her r y was part of t his second rou nd and Meghan n Foye, deput y ed itor at Seventeen mag az i ne, sa id C her r y stood out because of her goofy and candid video. “She wasn’t afraid to be herself and she really highlighted her video editing skills, which was very important to us since video blogs would be a requirement for the feature,” Foye said.

Hav i ng a major i n t he com mu n icat ions f ield , C her r y t hou g ht an opportunity like this would give her experience a nd i n s ight . S o f a r, it defi nitely has. Along with posting blogs once a week that include photos and v ideos, Cherr y and her fellow featured freshmen give answers and advice to short questions from readers. Once a mont h t he y p o st a 6 0 - second “Campus Secrets” video.

During these short videos, Cherry gets to highlight her passion a nd sk i l l for v ideo edit ing while talking about real college issues like hookups and roommate drama. While C h e r r y ’s o b l i g a t i o n s to Seventeen, being on t he G amecock Color Guard a nd her reg u lar s c h o o l w o r k d e f i n it e l y keep her busy, her calm a n d c ol le c t e d n e s s s a y otherwise.

T he Fre s h m a n 15 were ju st i nt roduced i n t he October issue of Seventeen, but

Cherr y posted her f irst blog on Seventeen. com i n September a nd h a s cont i nued to blog about her l ife at USC , i nclud i ng her move-i n e x p er ie nc e , i ne v it able proc rast i nat ion a nd of course Carolina football.

Cherry has already sent a “Friday Night Diary” to her editors at Seventeen that will be feat ured in the January issue of the magazine.

“It’s really neat to look in a magazine that’s been familiar to you your whole life and have your picture and quotes act ually printed on the pages. It’s sort of surreal,” Cherr y said.

For this feature Cherry ch ron icled a n ight she went to the WUSC dance part y at New Brook ly n and went to Sonic wit h some f r iends f rom her dorm. “There’s something in this column that allows the fi rst person experience for t he m ag a z i ne t h at ot her w ise wou ld n’t be possible.”

C h e r r y ’s j o u r n e y chronicling her college ex periences has just begun, but she feels she is already benefitting from it. “The best part of being one of the Freshman 15 is the fact that I can go onto the magazine’s Web s it e a n d s e e m y w o r k published and accessible to the viewers,” Cherry said.

Make sure to follow your fellow Gamecocks tales online at Seventeen.com and in upcoming issues of Seventeen magazine.

Comments on this story?

E-mail sagcketc@sc.edu

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The Daily Gamecock ● FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

PAGE 7A

The Scene USC

Inside the Box ● By Marlowe Leverette / The Daily Gamecock

The Whiteboard ● By Bobby Sutton / The Daily Gamecock

SRSLY? RECORDS PRESENTS: SWEET VANS, DEATH BECOMES EVEN THE MAIDEN, JUNIOR ASTRONOMERS, DJ GEORGE BRAZIL 8:30 p.m., $5 Over 21 / $7 Under 21 New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St.

TODAY CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY 3, 5:30 and 8 p.m., $6.50 Nickelodeon Theatre, 937 Main St.

PhD ● By Jorge Chan

WUSC PRESENTS: YARDWORK 11:59 p.m., free for 21 and over The Whig, 1200 Main St. MIXXD DJ DANCE NITE 8 p.m., free Art Bar, 1211 Park St.

TOMORROW DEARANNA, NEEDEEP, HOST TO ANOTHER, DELEVELED 8 p.m., $5 over 21/$8 under 21 New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St. THE MAGNETIC FLOWERS 8 p.m., $5 The White Mule, 1530 Main St. BENTZ KIRBY BIRTHDAY SHOW 8 p.m., $3 Art Bar, 1211 Park St.

HOROSCOPES

10/16/09

1234567890-= A R I ES G o for t he gold. You know things need to change, so take the fi rst step. If you put forth the effort, you can do anything.

TAURUS Start your engines early. There’s a lot to do today, and only the normal number of hours to do it. So stop wasting time, and you’ll get your minutes worth.

GEMINI You know

LEO After a few bumps, in the road, you’ll finally see the results you want. Don’t let the hard times get to you, and you’ll see that all the effort is worth it.

V I RG O

You h ave too many ideas right now.

Luck i ly you don’t need words to com mu n icate.

Demonstrate compassion through action.

L I BR A

exactly what you want. But if you wa nt ever y t h i ng to work out, ma ke su re you consider what you r significant other wants too.

T her e’s s o much going on, you can’t even tel l people what you want. Write notes or e-mails to better express yourself.

CANCER Break out of your mold by applying yourself to an emotional goal. Consider the feelings of others.

SCORPIO There’s a ton of movement. You just don’t know which direction to take. Make your own decisions.

SAGIT TA R IUS If others would say what they mean, you could take effective action. It probably won’t happen today.

C A PR ICOR N Stick your finger into more than one pie. You’re never s at i s f ie d w it h j u s t one project. Finish at least one thing.

AQUA RIUS Your personal energy takes you toward t he spot light. If that’s where you want to be, put the pedal to the metal.

PISCES What seems obvious to you presents a problem for an important member of you r g roup.

Bring light to the situation.

10/16/09

Solution from 10/15/09

ACROSS 1 Highway hauler 5 Cut off 10 “__ Silver, away!”

14 Gas in a sign 15 Utah city 16 Sign of the future 17 Hymn whose title follows the line “When I die, Hallelujah, by and by” 19 Fill to excess 20 “Cats” poet 21 Gum arabic tree 23 Adviser Landers 24 Traffic cone 26 Knight’s lady 28 Slimy stuff 29 Relative known for quitting?

33 Run the country 34 Scout’s motto 36 Kimono sash 37 Air ace’s missions 38 Climbing vine 39 How duelists begin 41 Baseball stats 42 “Old MacDonald” refrain 43 Rile up 44 Ado 45 Resided 47 Dance from Ireland 48 __ Tar Pits 51 Daybreak 55 French franc successor 56 With “The,” Schwarzenegger film released 10/26/1984, and a hint to the puzzle theme found in the first words of 17-, 34- and 39-Across 59 Ford Explorer Sport __ 60 Storage room 61 “Star Trek: T.N.G.” counselor Deanna 62 Armored vehicle 63 Snappish

64 Lip-__: mouth the words DOWN 1 Grumpy mood 2 Morays, e.g.

3 Lawn burrower 4 Arouse, as passion 5 Watch covertly 6 The E in Q.E.D. 7 Solemn promise 8 Sister of Zsa Zsa 9 Fit for a king 10 Biblical cry of adoration 11 Popular Apple 12 Himalayan giant 13 Fit to be drafted 18 Queue 22 Political takeovers 24 Kellogg’s toaster pastry 25 “Alas, poor __!”: Hamlet 26 Persian Gulf emirate 27 Wonderland girl 28 Rodent kept as a house pet 30 Baby beds 31 Lee jeans alternative

Solution for 10/15/09

32 Ice cream brand 33 Judge’s attire 34 Scarer’s shout 35 Scared response 37 Uncle Tom’s creator 40 Duettist with Sheryl Crow in the song “Picture” 41 Toon babies of ’90s-’00s TV 44 Sawyer’s friend 46 Frequent, as a diner 47 Like ripe peaches 48 Riga native

49 Distinctive emanation 50 Muffin ingredient 51 Infatuated, old-style 52 “This is my best effort” 53 Any minute now 54 Guitarist Clapton 57 Somme summer 58 Privileges: Abbr.

The Daily Gamecock ● FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

PAGE 8A

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

Dylan Foster

THE DAILY GAMECOCK

After a slew of run-ins with the law and other issues in the offseason, the last thing anyone wanted to see in the paper was C.C. Whitlock’s name. It’s back in there, though, and this time it’s for what he’s done on the field rather than off it.

On Monday, coach Steve Spurrier decided to give out two extra game balls in the aftermath of Carolina’s 28-26 win over Kentucky. One of them went to Carolina’s newest starting cornerback.

“Saturday night, coach Spurrier said he was going to look at the film from the game,” Whitlock said. “So today in the team meeting room he announced that I deserved a game ball for my performance.”

But what makes the game ball so special is not that it was deserved, but that he was in a position to even get one when, six months ago, it looked like he wouldn’t get a chance to play in a game, let alone start one.

After signing with USC in spring 2008, the future looked bright for the Chester native. A four-star recruit, Whitlock had a remarkable high school career, playing both quarterback and cornerback. As a junior, Whitlock passed for over 1,500 yards, had 26 all-purpose touchdowns and just five interceptions. That was enough to earn him first team all-state honors.

Halfway through his freshman season, however, issues off the field began to hinder his football career. Last September, Whitlock was caught in the middle of a fight inside the Russell House in the days leading up to the Georgia game. That incident was followed later by an academic suspension in March, causing him to miss most of spring practice. Then in May, days after getting reinstated, Whitlock was charged with trespassing at a club in his hometown and was again suspended.

Many people questioned whether Whitlock would be able to play at all this season, or even should. Fortunately for Whitlock, Spurrier and South Carolina Athletic Director Eric Hyman showed patience with the cornerback, reinstating him in mid-July, but enforcing the one game suspension imposed on him for his academic violations.

“C.C. has tried to do what’s right.” Spurrier said. “That’s why you don’t give up quickly on some [of the] freshmen that have problems.”

Ironically, it would be the suspension of another player, Akeem Auguste, that would give Whitlock his chance at a starting role, and there is no doubt he has made the most of it. After a solid but unspectacular game against S.C. State two weeks ago, Whitlock responded in impressive fashion, recording six tackles at home against Kentucky. “[In] the S.C. State game I think I played decent,” Whitlock said. “But Saturday night was one of my best performances at Williams-Brice Stadium.”

And Spurrier was not short on praise for Whitlock after the game on Saturday. “ C . C . h a d a g r e a t g a m e ,” S p u r r i e r s a i d . “ H e ’ s i m p r o v e d , h a s g o t t e n t o u g h e r a n d h a s p r o v e n h e ’s r e a d y t o p l a y.”

At 5-foot-10 and 173 pounds, Whitlock is very quick and has excellent ball control, and there’s no doubt he has the physical abilities needed to play cornerback at the SEC level.

“C.C. [has] good technique,” said defensive end Chris Culliver. “I feel confident in him being a starter.”

While Whitlock’s ability on the field hasn’t been questioned, he’s still going to have to prove to both Spurrier and his teammates that he’s matured since the offseason and is focused on playing football and staying out of trouble.

“C.C., on the field, he’s a good guy. Off the field, he doesn’t make the best decisions,” Culliver said. “But he’s maturing and becoming a better player and a better student.”

That’s why the game ball he received on Monday was, if not anything else, a sign that he’s beginning to put his troubles behind him. The fact that Whitlock has been able to pull himself out of his hole says a lot about the character W hitlock has, and that he’s ready to play football.

“A f ter bei ng t h rough all that I can say [there’s] a reason for ever ything,”

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Whitlock said. “It really means something for my family, because I [have] a lot of people pulling for me.”

So far Whitlock has nine tackles in two games and will have another opportunity to show what he can do this week against Alabama, who ranks fourth in the SEC in pass offense. The physical nature of Alabama’s offense will bring all sorts of challenges for not only Whitlock but the entire defensive secondary.

Even if Whitlock plays well, it still isn’t clear if he will be a competing with Auguste for a starting job when he comes back from his suspension. When asked whether or not he thought the coaches were going to have a pretty tough decision once Auguste returns, Whitlock just smiled and shook his head.

“I don’t know.

I’m going to let the coaches decide on that,” he said.

What is certain, however, is that if Whitlock puts the work in on the practice field he will have the opportunity to play, even if Auguste does reclaim the starting job. “ We’r e r e l y i n g o n w ho e v e r we t h i n k a re t he best players to give us a chance to go win t h e g a m e ,” S p u r r i e r s a i d .

That means that if W hitlock can stay focused on school and football, he should be a pillar of the Gamecock secondary for seasons to come.

Comments on this story?

E-mail sagckspt@mailbox.sc.edu

The Daily Gamecock ● FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

PAGE 2B

Jeffery hopes for repeat performance Freshman wide receiver to match up against one of nation’s best corners Sam Davis

STAFF WRITER

Nobody could have predicted the coming out party that South Carolina’s freshman wide receiver Alshon Jeffery threw last weekend against Kentucky — not even Alshon himself.

“I had no idea something like that would happen,” Jeffery said. “I just made plays.”

A fter catching just five passes for 61 yards in the f irst f ive games of his career, Jeffer y busted out on Saturday afternoon, more than doubling his season total in receiving yards by catching seven balls for 138 yards and three touchdowns.

His trio of touchdown receptions not only carried the Gamecocks to a ‘W’, but also earned him a spot in the record books by tying the second-best single game performance in school history.

He also became the third Gamecock this year to earn SEC Freshman of the Week, following defensive end

Devin Taylor and running back Jarvis Giles.

“It’s an honor. I just went out there and played hard,” Jeffery said. “Plays happen and things happen when you play hard and fast.”

It’s hard to put a fi nger on why the 6-foot-3, 217-pound freshman couldn’t make an impact earlier this season.

Originally committed to the Universit y of Southern California, the highly-touted, heavily-recruited wide out had been overshadowed by redshirt freshman Tori Gurley’s surprising performance this year.

“Coaches know what’s best for the team, but I’m still learning to play in the system and learning to play fast,” Jeffery said. “I’m just going to go out and work hard.

Whatever the play is called, if it’s designed for me I’m just going to try to make plays.”

USC coach Steve Spurrier echoed Jeffery’s words about learning the offense and being able to play at such a high speed, play after play.

“Alshon kept getting better and better knowing where to go. We commented last night in practice that he’s practicing so much faster than he did earlier in the year,” Spurrier said. “Last night he was f lying around. He’s improved. He’ll tell you that. When you know where to go, then you can go faster. For a true freshmen to step in here and learn the offense without being here much in the

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summer, he’s come pretty quickly.”

Now Jeffery and the Gamecock offense have a much tougher test than UK rolling their way — the Crimson Tide. Ranked No. 2 in the nation, Alabama boasts a passing defense efficiency better than all SEC teams but one – Florida – and a scoring defense that ranks the same.

Leading the charge in the Crimson Tide secondary will be sophomore defensive back Mark Barron. Barron is second on the team with 32 tack les and leads the team with two interceptions on the season, and second in the conference with eight passes broken up. Barron’s substantial size in comparison with other corners — 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds — makes him a dangerous weapon for UA coach Nick Saban to use to keep Jeffery from impacting the game.

It won’t be easy, but in order for the Gamecocks to have success in Tuscaloosa, Alshon Jeffrey and the passing game need to be up to par. Certainly, Jeffery is aware of the difficult task that lies ahead.

“They’re physical. They’re number two in the country.

That explains it all.”

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OFFENSE Alshon Jeffery

VS.

Mark Barron

Sam Bennett / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Ed Reinke / The Associated Press

Ingram provides stiff challenge for USC Crimson Tide ground attack imposing test for undermanned linebacking core Kyle Mallinak

THE DAILY GAMECOCK

If Carolina wants any shot at knocking off No. 2 Alabama tomorrow night, they have to stop the Crimson Tide run game and tailback Mark Ingram in particular.

Through the first six games of the year, Ingram has been the engine that powers the Alabama offense. The sophomore, a bruising downhill runner who wears down defenses, has scored at least one touchdown on the ground in every game this year – success that has helped to set up the passing game as well.

“They’re just a power football team,” linebacker Eric Norwood said. “I think their run game helps their passing game out a lot; it’s been pretty successful.”

The responsibility of stopping the rush attack falls to the

linebackers, particularly middle linebacker Shaq Wilson.

A natural outside linebacker who was forced to move inside due to Rodney Paulk’s season-ending injury, Wilson is coming off of a neck injury that limited his playing time against Kentucky last week. Carolina will need him to be a strong presence in the middle against the Tide.

“They’re a great running team,” Wilson said. “We’re going to go out there and play our assignments.”

A bit undersized for the middle linebacker position, Wilson will need to use his quickness to close down any holes that might allow Ingram to burst into the second level of the defense. Wilson will have an easier time in the pass coverage, where he should be able to use his speed to shadow Ingram and keep him from gaining yards after the catch.

Wilson’s greatest challenge will be stay ing fresh throughout the game. With Wilson still coming off an injury, it’s entirely possible defensive assistant head coach Ellis Johnson may choose to rotate Wilson with transfer Josh Dickerson. Whenever Wilson gets in, he feels

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he is ready to go.

“That’s Coach Johnson’s decision,” said Wilson on whether he will start. “I’m feeling good. Whenever I get the call, I’m going in there.”

The Tide offense presents a daunting challenge, but USC is taking it in stride.

“We’re just going to go out and play ball. That’s it,” Norwood said. “They’re D-I; we’re D-I. It’s just a matter of who’s going to go out and play the hardest and make the most plays.”

If t he G amecock s hope to break Mark I ng ram’s touchdown streak and contain the ‘Bama offense, they will need a big night from their backers, Wilson especially.

They feel they’re up to the challenge.

“We’re going to go out there and do the best we can,” Wilson said. “[We’re going to] play full speed and give it our all.”

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DEFENSE Shaq Wilson

Kara Roache / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

VS.

Mark Ingram

Rogelio V. Solis / The Associated Press

The Daily Gamecock ● FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

PAGE 4B

Assistant Sports Editor breaks down USC’s game against Alabama James Kratch

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Is Weslye Saunders in the witness protection program?

in his few opportunities to touch the ball. Against the Tide, Carolina needs to make a big play or two to have a chance of hanging around, and Sherman has the ability to take a kick return to the house, or at least put the Gamecocks in an excellent field position. Sherman has to make big plays when he gets a shot.

Will the offensive line hold up?

Ever since his huge night at Georgia, the junior tight end has seemingly been missing in action. The Gamecocks need Saunders to become a factor against the stout Alabama line, both blocking in the run game and helping to break the chains with big catches across the middle. The last time Stephen Garcia found himself driving in crunch time on the road in a hostile environment, Saunders was his go-to receiver. There would be no better time for the big man to reemerge than in Tuscaloosa tomorrow night.

‘Sherm the Worm,’ or as The Daily Gamecock refer s to h i m , ‘ T he Shermanator’ has been a fan favorite among Gamecock Nation ever si nce he bu r st onto the scene in summer pract ice. The shif t y tailback has seen l i m ited t i me i n t he first half of the season, but has shown a burst of speed and promise

E r i c Wolford’s u n it has resembled a revolv ing door t h is fall lots of guys coming, a n d going, and coming a g a i n .

T h i s weekend will be the big lit mus test for the Gamecock of fensive line. They h a v e st r uggled at t imes, but fou nd ways to give Garcia and the running back s t i me i n t he end during this four-game winning streak. Now they’re going up against a big, nasty, heavy, angry defensive line that may well be the best in the nation, and a fleet of fast-blitzing linebackers. If the line was ever needed, it’s going to be in this game.

Cornerback CC W hitlock predicted on Monday night t hat S at u r d a y ’s n i g h t ’ s game will come dow n to a f ield g o a l . I f t he sophomore proves to be Carnac, the only question for Carolina will be what side of the kick they will be on, and who will be taking it. Will it be gaffe-prone ‘Bama kicker Leigh Tiffi n, or steady-as-a-rock Spencer Lanning? If it’s Lanning that ends up having a shot to win the ballgame, USC should feel pretty comfortable.

Can USC make this a dogfight?

Steve Spurrier has said that he comes to expect a dogfight of a game week-in and week-out, no matter how inferior the competition. This week, he needs a dogfight to break out. There’s no getting around it; the Crimson Tide is a better football team, top to bottom. The defense plays fast and ferociously, the offense blows you off the ball and hits you in the mouth, and the special teams can swing momentum at will. To have any hope, the Gamecocks will have to get down and dirty to win an ugly one.

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The Daily Gamecock ● FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

PAGE 5B

Big 12 rivalry holds title implications Last year’s Heisman winner searches for upset victory over No. 3 Texas Longhorns James Kratch

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

No. 20 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Texas

Coming into the season, most had this down as a de-facto national semifinal game. Oh, how times have changed. After two nonconference losses to BYU and Miami and a shoulder injury that kept Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford out until just last week, the Sooners come into the 104th edition of the Red River Rivalry with their national championship hopes dashed. Texas has held up their end of the bargain though, going unbeaten to this point, although they haven’t exactly done it with style. The slow first halves will finally catch up to the Longhorns this week, as Oklahoma finds a way to escape the Texas State Fairgrounds with a season-salvaging win.

The Pick: Oklahoma 36, Texas 35

Sue Ogrocki/ The Associated Press

No. 6 Southern Cal @ No. 25 Notre Dame As is tradition, the Trojans head to South Bend for the biannual midseason clash between the two storied programs.

Anywhere you turn, all people want to talk about is how Irish head coach Charlie Weis must win this game.

Guess what – it’s probably time that all the talking heads start discussing how he can respond to a loss, because that’s what Notre Dame’s getting. Southern Cal is just too talented. This one will get ugly.

The Pick: Southern Cal 49, Notre Dame 17

Ben Margot / Associated Press

No. 11 Iowa @ Wisconsin The Hawkeyes, the Big Ten’s last real threat for a BCS Title Game berth, survived a real scare last week against Michigan, and now have to head to Madison to face a Wisconsin squad that is looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season at the hands of Ohio State. The numbers are on the Hawkeyes’ side – coach Kirk Ferentz’s squad has won 10 straight overall and five of the last seven from the Badgers. Iowa is second in the nation in the takeaways, and its defense will step up and make the big play to run its streak to 11.

The Pick: Iowa 21, Wisconsin 14 Charlie Neibergall/ The Associated Press

Don Peterson / The Associated Press

No. 4 Virginia Tech @ No. 19 Georgia Tech Rather quietly, the Hokies have snuck themselves back into the national title picture. Saturday, they return to the city of their only blemish, and in Atlanta they’ll find the only real test remaining before the ACC Championship Game – the triple option of Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets will break a couple of big runs, but VT will be too much in the end, and Hokie quarterback Tyrod Taylor will have a day on the other side of the ball as he pushes to get his name in the Heisman discussion.

The Pick: Virginia Tech 31, Georgia Tech 20

The Daily Gamecock ● FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009

PAGE 6B

G AMECOCK E G N E L L CHA THE

Chris Cox

James Kratch

Sam Davis

Calli Burnett

Ed Cahill

Sports Editor

Assistant Sports Editor

Staff Writer

Staffer of the Week

Reader of the Week

Arkansas @ Florida Oklahoma v. Texas Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech So. Cal @ Notre Dame Minnesota @ Penn State Iowa @ Wisconsin Missouri @ Oklahoma State Wake Forest @ Clemson Kentucky @ Auburn USC @ Alabama

Florida Oklahoma Virginia Tech So. Cal Penn State Wisconsin Oklahoma State Wake Forest Auburn Alabama

Florida Oklahoma Virginia Tech So. Cal Penn State Iowa Oklahoma State Clemson Auburn Alabama

Florida Oklahoma Georgia Tech So. Cal Penn State Iowa Oklahoma State Clemson Auburn Alabama

Florida Texas Virginia Tech So. Cal Minnesota Iowa Missouri Clemson Auburn USC

Florida Texas Georgia Tech So. Cal Penn State Wisconsin Oklahoma State Wake Forest Kentucky Alabama

Last Week’s Standings: Overall:

8-2 (45-15)

10-0 (41-19)

8-2 (40-20)

6-4 (40-20)

9-1 (40-20)

Roundup

A quick look at Saturday’s conference action Chris Cox

SPORTS EDITOR

Georgia (3-3, 2-2 SEC) @ Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-3 SEC)

Sam Bennett / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

The South Carolina football team runs out of the tunnel to the theme of ‘2001’.

Gamecocks have opportunity to do unthinkable Saturday Carolina can capture upset victory over favored Crimson Tide All you can ask for in sports is a shot. That’s all competition owes to anyone; a chance to prove yourself, or fail trying.

Carolina football, you’ve got your shot tomorrow night. Bryant-Denny Stadium, 7:45 p.m. ESPN will be in the house, Brad Nessler on the call, a national audience watching and the mighty No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide right in front of you.

“We’re excited about it,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “We’ll try to have a go at them and see what happens.”

If you offered anybody – fan, coach or player – a 5-1 start in 2009 and a defeat of a Top-5 team back in August, there isn’t a single soul that wouldn’t have taken it. Then, such a first half of the season would’ve seemed James like nirvana. Now, while it’s Kratch Second-year much celebrated, this “New English Carolina” is nowhere near student where it wants to be.

You can’t k nock USC for beating the teams that have been put in front of them, but the eight-point buck they stuffed and posted up over the fireplace of Gamecock history – No. 4 Ole Miss – now looks like a fawn because of the Rebs’ recent struggles.

Beat the Tide, and you won’t have to worry about the win losing its luster.

“Obviously it’s the best team we’ve played so far,” Spurrier said. “Ole Miss, even though they were ranked highly, I think it appears now that they’re just not quite as good of a team as the preseason people thought.”

It certainly won’t be easy for Carolina to pull off what would be the biggest upset in college football this year. On Saturday night, Bryant-Denny will be the loudest, craziest gathering this side of a G-20 Summit; 92,012 screaming fans – 90 percent of them adorned in crimson – who will have been downing adult beverages and fried foods since the crack of dawn, all coming together for a fourhour period that will be part football game, part hoedown and part religious experience.

“I’m definitely looking forward to going down there in a hostile environment and just go out and playing some ball,” defensive tackle Nathan Pepper said. “That’s the number two team in the nation, and we’re just going to go out there and play with them and have some fun.”

Bet ween the white lines, ‘Bama isn’t any slouch either. Defensively, coach Nick Saban’s team is as good as any in the nation, some NFL teams maybe included. To win, Carolina has to find a way to score, and they know it will be a challenge.

“I’ve been watching a little bit of tape of

Alabama’s defense. There are no weaknesses,” Spurrier said. “It will be a challenge to make some yards and score some points, but to have any chance at all we certainly have to do it.”

It isn’t like USC can just lean back and hope for another 7-3 game either. The Tide offense, anchored by quarterback Greg McElroy and a stable of capable tailbacks, comes at you with the same hiss and vigor as the defense.

“They’re just a power football team,” linebacker Eric Norwood said. “They are a very physical team on the offense.”

Even if Carolina was to somehow find a way to neutralize both sides of the Alabama attack, it isn’t like the Tide will wilt away and roll over. An experienced squad, ‘Bama has had its backs to the wall before – think Virginia Tech in Atlanta – and has responded.

“When you look at Alabama you notice how experienced these guys are,” Spurrier said. “The guys have all been there. That’s why they’re such a solid team.”

Putting all the factors together, most rational people would tip their hats to Carolina on a fi ne start, reassure them they can still have a highly successful season and then pencil them in for a Tuscaloosa thrashing.

Yeah, considering all that’s going in favor of the Tide, that argument can definitely be made. The Gamecocks understand that.

“We’ll have a plan in place. We’re certainly not going to be favored against Alabama, but we’ll have a plan in place,” Spurrier said.

“We’ll be loose and relaxed going there.

There’s not a lot of pressure on our guys.”

That being said, USC isn’t about to just fold like a cheap suit because Alabama is supposed to win. This is their chance to impress the world, and they want to seize it.

“We’re definitely going to go out there and be competitive, but we want to win.

That’s what we’re working for,” Norwood said. “We’re not going down there just to shake their hands.”

Getting a verbal pat on the back in Saban’s postgame press conference and a few kind words from Dr. Lou and Mark May isn’t what Carolina is looking for. They’re looking for shock value, and expect them to throw the kitchen sink — and then some — at Alabama.

“You coach a little differently,” said Spurrier about being a major underdog. “You may play a little more wide open, hope everything hits [if] you would certainly have no chance playing conservatively.”

Carolina has a shot Saturday night to shock the world. Carolina has a shot Saturday night to make the words ‘SEC’ and ‘championship’ deserving of common usage, together, around town. Carolina has a shot to once and for all prove they belong among the nation’s elite.

And if they do take advantage of their shot?

This town won’t ever be the same, that’s for sure.

TV: SEC Network Time: 12:21 p.m. ET Notes: Times are different down in Athens, Ga., as the Bulldogs enter into their crucial conference matchup against Vanderbilt losers of two straight contests.

The team, and specifically head coach Mark Richt , is catching a lot of heat, but the players are desperately trying to convince the UGA faithful to hang on to hope. Wide receiver Michael Moore tweeted the following after UGA’s 45-19 loss at Tennessee: “All I can say 2 the dawgnation is don’t turn your backs on us. We need u to support us and times like this is when we need u the most.”

Vanderbilt will try to keep Georgia’s season on the ropes as it searches for its first conference win of the season.

Hannah Carroll / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Mississippi State (2-4, 1-2) @ Middle Tennessee State (3-2) TV: ESPNU Time: 12:30 p.m. ET Notes: Former South Carolina assistant coach Rick Stockstill will make a first this Saturday, as his Blue Raiders host the first SEC team in MSU to ever play at Floyd Stadium. The Bulldogs enter Saturday’s contest desperate to stop their turnover-happy offense, which has given free balls to the other team 13 times in the last three games. MSU has turned the ball over no fewer than four times in each contest, with a high of five coming in a loss to Georgia Tech.

Jim Lytle / The Associated Press

Arkansas (3-2, 1-2) @ No. 1 Florida (5-0, 3-0) TV: CBS Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Notes: It’s going to be a vintage offensive vs. defensive matchup in Gainesville, Fla., this weekend as the Razorbacks enter Saturday’s game top in the conference in passing offense (318.2 yards per game) and passing touchdowns (15). Meanwhile, the Gators come to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium top in the league in passing defense (115.2) and passing touchdowns allowed (1). It’s been a tough road for AU coach Bobby Petrino and his team, as the Razorbacks will face their fourth-straight undefeated team and fifth in the last five games.

Mike Fuentes / The Associated Press

UAB (2-3) @ Ole Miss (3-2, 1-2) TV: FSN Time: 7 p.m. ET Note s: Sat u rday ’s ga me ma rk s t he perfect time for Ole Miss’s offense to get back on track. After not being able to score a touchdown last week against Alabama, and notching only one on a fluke pass against the Gamecocks, Rebel quarterback Jevan Snead will face a Blazer defense that is giving up a staggering average of 453.6 yards of total of offense a game — including 308.6 yards through the air.

Kara Roache / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Kentucky (2-3, 0-3) @ Auburn (5-1, 2-1) TV: ESPNU Time: 7 p.m. ET Notes: Kentucky just can’t seem to catch a break. After following up games against the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2 teams in Florida and Alabama, respectively, the Wildcats head to the Plains to take on a 5-1 Auburn team. The Tigers have won 15 consecutive games against Big Blue and hasn’t lost in the series since 1966.

Luckily for UK, a four-game stretch against Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State, Eastern Kentucky and Vanderbilt lies just around the corner.

Sam Bennett / THE DAILY GAMECOCK