News Nuggets, 10.03.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Gamecocks spring surprise in Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Backup quarterback Syvelle Newton rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns and South Carolina intercepted four passes in a 20-3 victory over Alabama on Saturday night.

The Gamecocks (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) bullied a Crimson Tide team hampered by quarterback problems since the season-ending knee injury to Brodie Croyle two weeks ago.

It was South Carolina's first win in eight trips to Tuscaloosa and second straight against Alabama after losing the first 10 games in the series.

Alabama (3-2, 1-2) has lost two straight. The Crimson Tide managed only one touchdown and 13 points in the two games since sophomore Marc Guillon replaced Croyle.

Guillon was 9-of-18 for 63 yards while backup Spencer Pennington had just one completion in six attempts. Both were picked off twice.

Their troubles helped South Carolina brush off Newton's third-quarter interception and the team's two fumbles in the fourth.

Newton had touchdown runs of 8 and 9 yards in the third quarter, both set up by interceptions.

Anthony Madison picked of Newton's pass at Alabama's 23-yard line. Guillon followed immediately with an equally bad pass, throwing it directly to cornerback Fred Bennett, who finished with two interceptions.

Newton kept it on the ground this time, carrying on all three plays and capping the 20-yard drive by scampering untouched into the end zone for an 8-yarder.

Pennington replaced Guillon but had similar results — an interception by Tremaine Tyler, who raced 40 yards to Alabama's 9. Newton ran up the middle on the next play for another easy score.

He had 13 carries for 53 yards while he and starter Dondrial Pinkins had only two completions apiece. Pinkins and Newton have been splitting time under center. The Gamecocks gained 203 yards on 54 rushes but had only 46 yards passing, nearly 200 below their average.

With the return of tailback Demetris Summers, South Carolina all but scrapped the league's No. 4 passing attack. Summers, who had missed the past two games with a sprained ankle, had 61 yards on 15 carries but lost a fourth-quarter fumble.

The Gamecocks didn't even need a contribution from the league's leading receiver. Troy Williamson didn't catch a pass after three straight 100-yard games.

Alabama's offense has sputtered badly since Croyle tore a knee ligament early in the third quarter of a rout of Division I-AA Western Carolina. The result has been lopsided defeats to Arkansas and the Gamecocks after opening with three blowout wins.

Josh Brown gave South Carolina a 6-3 halftime lead with field goals of 28 and 29 yards. Alabama's Brian Bostick made a 28-yarder but missed a 35-yarder just before the half, his first miss.

Pioneer Hayden Fry to receive Stagg award

WACO, TX — Former Southern Methodist, North Texas and Iowa head coach Hayden Fry will receive the 2005 Amos Alonzo Stagg Award from the American Football Coaches Association.

The award, which honors those "whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football," will be presented to Fry at an awards luncheon Jan. 11 during the association's convention Louisville, Ky.

"As a young guy growing up, Amos Alonzo Stagg was my hero. You saw the old film clips of him, Pop Warner, Knute Rockne and you wanted to emulate them," Fry said. "All that flashes through your mind when you find out you'll receive an award in his name. To me, it's the highest honor a coach can receive. It's a tribute to outstanding coaches and players I worked with."

Fry retired from coaching in 1998 after 39 seasons in college football, including 37 seasons as a head coach. He finished his career with a record of 232-178-10.

Fry made his biggest impact on college football off the field when he broke the color barrier in the Southwest Conference by recruiting receiver Jerry Levias to SMU in 1965. Levias joined Fry in the 2003 College Football Hall of Fame induction class.

Fry gained his greatest national notoriety for his work in building the Iowa football program into one of the best in the Big 10.

Recent winners of the award include Bo Schembechler, Tom Osborne, Vince Dooley and Joe Paterno.'

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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