|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Repentant runner Watson looks to make amends as S.C. opens spring
Following South Carolina's first spring practice last week, head coach Lou Holtz declared himself "a Derek Watson fan." And ordinarily, who would question the man's devotion to a running back whose 1,834 all-purpose yards weighed heavily in the Gamecocks' seven-game improvement and Outback Bowl bid last season? But since the junior-to-be last donned a uniform on Nov. 18, his name has been linked to a series of incidents that would seem to test Holtz's faith:
For his part, Watson has been expressing remorse since even before the most recent incident. "I realize I have made some poor decisions off the field," he said. "I also know that I need football more than football needs me." As Watson continues to make amends with his teammates and fans, his biggest supporter appears to be Holtz, who once called his original prized recruit, "as good a running back as I've ever coached." "He's positive, he's upbeat and he's a great asset," Holtz said.
More than likely, the coach knows a focused, healthy Watson will be the difference between another elite Gamecocks team and slipping back in the tank. Ryan Brewer filled in admirably against hometown Ohio State in the bowl, gaining 109 yards and two touchdowns, but Brewer is actually a wide receiver. And not he nor anyone else on the roster has the game-breaking ability of Watson, who will be considered among the top 10 tailbacks in the nation going into next season. As for other news coming out of the Gamecocks' early spring, Holtz sounds thrilled that, just two years removed from 0-11, there's finally depth on his roster. "There was a lot of retention from the end of last season," said Holtz. "There will be more competition than ever before at every position."
Tressel's first testOhio State head coach Jim Tressel may be new to the Division I-A coaching ranks, but he does know this much: It's all starts with the quarterback. Most Buckeyes fans don't disagree. And that's why two-year starter Steve Bellisari will definitively be on the hot seat heading into spring. "What's the quarterback situation here? I don't know," Tressel said shortly after his hiring. "I had the great fortune to meet Steve Bellisari during the interview-search process. He seems like a young man who wants to excel." But wanting to and doing so are two different things. After fired coach John Cooper, Bellisari was the most frequent source of blame for the Buckeyes' past two disappointing (6-6 and 8-4) seasons. His decidedly average numbers last season (2,319 yards, 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions) fell short of the standard set by predecessors like Bobby Hoying and Joe Germaine. This despite having two NFL-caliber receivers to throw to in Reggie Germany and Ken-Yon Rambo, both now departed. But if Tressel hopes to make a change at quarterback, he'll need to find a diamond in the rough. There were no QBs among the 17 recruits Tressel signed earlier this month. That leaves sophomores Scott McMullen and Craig Krenzel, and redshirt freshman Rick McFadden, to compete with Bellisari. The three threw a combined 20 passes last year, mostly in garbage time. There may be one more option left for the Buckeyes. All-Kentucky QB Gino Guidugli (Highlands), who backed off his Kentucky commitment following Hal Mumme's departure, is considering OSU. He also recently visited Notre Dame and is expected to make a decision after his basketball season.
This battle no BreesQuarterback uncertainty also reigns supreme at another Big Ten school -- Purdue. Unlike the Buckeyes, the Boilers are facing the challenge of replacing a legend, Drew Brees. But at least the possibilities are more intriguing. Joe Tiller likely will be calling on a freshman to run his spread offense come fall, either redshirt Brandon Hance or the incoming Kyle Orton. Each was rated among the nation's top prospects at his position coming out of high school -- Orton, from Runnels, Iowa, No. 3; Hance, of Woodland Hills, Calif., No. 9, both by SuperPrep. Hance would seem to have the advantage. He enrolled at Purdue in time for 2000 spring practices and immediately earned the No. 2 job behind Brees. He played in two games last season, completing 5 of 9 passes. But Hance didn't improve his chance when he was arrested earlier this month on underage drinking charges following a fight involving himself and another football player at Purdue's Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house. Tiller has yet to announce a punishment for Hance, whose first court appearance was scheduled for Monday. Whether or not Hance's indiscretions matter, he's sure to face stiff competition from Orton, who committed to the Boilermakers last April, or another arm, Mike Rhinehart, who also signed with Purdue. Whoever gets the nod will have substantial support in the presence of junior RB Montrell Lowe, a 998-yard rusher last year. Tiller's patented "basketball-on-grass" offense has added more of the run in each of his four years; Next season, with an inexperienced quarterback but potential star tailback, what will Tiller consider next -- the option?
Mountain warsOne overlooked rivalry that appears to be growing venom by the year is Colorado-Colorado State. The schools' recent decision to keep the game in Denver -- where the Rams have won two in a row -- for three more years (CU would have played host this year) prompted one Denver columnist to write, "CSU has just beaten Colorado in football. Again." CSU head coach Sonny Lubick added some fuel to the fire, saying of last year's 3-8 Buffs team, "If they were in our conference [the Mountain West], they would not win the conference. They might be in the middle of the pack. Of course, they're down." Ouch. CNNSI.com's Stewart Mandel will offer his latest Offseason Beat notes regularly from now till Kickoff 2001. If you have questions, comments, ideas or scoops for the Beat, click here.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
