Football's Week

THE SOUTH

1. ALABAMA (6-0)
2. GEORGIA TECH (7-0)
3. FLORIDA (7-0)

Miami's Charlie Tate, getting ready for unbeaten USC, recalled that when he was an assistant at Georgia Tech, "We jumped them and kept hitting. That's the only way to play that bunch—or they'll lift your hair and run off with the wagons." That is exactly the way Tate's Hurricanes played it against the favored Trojans. Tackle Bob Tatarek, End Ted Hendricks and Corner Back Tom Beier led a bruising defense—fifth best in the nation—that held USC's good backs to a mere 81 yards rushing. Even so, Miami was behind 7-3 in the fourth quarter. Then Doug McGee, who had been knocked cold in the Hurricanes' last two games, crashed over from the four to upset the Trojans 10-7. "It was the first time in three games that McGee has known the final score," cracked Tate.

Undefeated Alabama beat Mississippi State 27-14, but Bear Bryant was in no mood for jokes. For one thing, Quarterback Kenny Stabler had one of his rare off days and Wayne Trimble was ordered in to get the offense moving. Trimble responded admirably with three touchdown passes. Bryant complained, in a mournful monotone, "We played like we were out on a picnic. It was embarrassing. They knocked us down like we were children."

Florida got caught up in another hair-raiser. Auburn, despite its inability to handle Quarterback Steve Spurrier, Flanker Richard Trapp, who caught nine passes, and Tailback Larry Smith, who roamed for 102 yards, took the Gators down to the wire before losing 30-27 on Spurrier's 40-yard field goal. Coach Ray Graves, who must thank God every day for Spurrier, raved: "Absolutely the greatest clutch athlete I've ever seen."

But GEORGIA TECH had it easy. Without ailing Kim King to run his wide offense, Coach Bobby Dodd put in a naked keeper play for sub Larry Good, and Good ran the Blue Devils silly. What hurt Duke most, though, was Tech's defense. It set up two scores with recovered fumbles, blocked a punt for another and Giles Smith ran back a kick 63 yards for a fourth. Tech won 48-7.

Army was no match for TENNESSEE. Quarterback Dewey Warren completed 18 of 25 passes for 250 yards, mostly to speedy Richmond Flowers and Johnny Mills, Halfback Charlie Fulton scored twice on runs and the Vols coasted 38-7. GEORGIA had a time with North Carolina until End Larry Kohn picked off a Tar Heel pass and ran it back 62 yards. That finished Carolina, which lost 28-3. LSU, ready to try anything against MISSISSIPPI, even came out passing, but Ole Miss's Bruce Newell was better at it. He threw for two scores as LSU was shut out 17-0. KENTUCKY barely managed a 14-14 tie with WEST VIRGINIA.

Virginia Tech and Florida State traded touchdowns equally but, in the end, a first-quarter safety won for Tech 23-21. TULANE was still enjoying the season. Quarterback Bobby Duhon scored twice against Vanderbilt, Uwe Pontius kicked one extra point, and the Green Wave took its fifth game, 13-12.

Wake Forest had CLEMSON in a 21-21 tie and then, foolishly, tried to pass from its own three with 28 seconds to go. Ken Erick-son was trapped for a safety, giving Clemson a 23-21 victory. MARYLAND, tied with Clemson for the ACC lead, whipped South Carolina 14-2 while NORTH CAROLINA STATE outscored Virginia 42-21.

William and Mary moved up to tie East Carolina for the lead in the Southern Conference by beating VMI 22-15, while GEORGE WASHINGTON battered Furman 49-28 for its fourth straight. But the short-lived party was over for Richmond, SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, No. 1 in total defense, held the Spiders to minus one yard rushing and crushed them 27-0.