Sunday, September 16, 2007

Some shock, some awe, a lot of pride--SCSU


By BOB GILLESPIE, The State

Coach keeps emotions positive while guiding team on historic day

On a night when, as expected, not much went right for his S.C. State football team, Buddy Pough did have a pregame wish fulfilled.

Before South Carolina’s workman-like 38-3 victory against the Bulldogs in a Saturday contest with more history than drama, S.C. State’s coach was asked, given USC’s advantage in practically every category, what he was hoping for.

Pough talked about “a good-case scenario” — the best-case scenario would have been a stunning upset, of course — in which his team played well against the Gamecocks. Then he smiled.

“I want to give ’em a good shock,” he said. “I want to make it loud in Williams-Brice (Stadium).”

Mission accomplished, at least temporarily.

When defensive back Markee Hamlin intercepted USC quarterback Blake Mitchell on the game’s third play to put the Bulldogs at USC’s 12-yard line, the ensuing roar from the partisan USC crowd of 73,095 (largest ever to see S.C. State play) drowned out everything — including Bulldogs’ quarterback Cleveland McCoy’s signals, as three penalties (one declined) the next three plays demonstrated.

Still, when sophomore kicker Aaron Haire booted a 37-yard field goal, Pough had the satisfaction of his team putting a 3-0 lead on the scoreboard. This night, that would have to suffice.

USC, despite throwing three first-half interceptions, led 17-3 at the break. S.C. State back Jonathan Woods’ fumble at the USC 12 late in the half killed a promising drive, and two quick third-quarter scores by the Gamecocks removed any doubt as to the outcome.

“I felt decent about what we were getting done (in the first half), but after the fumble, we struggled to find things we could consistently do (on offense),” Pough said.

“We played pretty well early (on defense), but as the game went along they softened our defense because we didn’t get enough done on offense.”

Yet even as USC pulled away, Pough rarely showed signs of the frustration he had to be feeling.

Twice in the first half, he demonstrated just how much the game meant — and how much he enjoyed the experience.

When USC quarterback Tommy Beecher sneaked for an apparent first down on fourth-and-short, Pough challenged the call. When officials reversed it, giving S.C. State the ball, a broad grin split his face.

Later, facing third-and-3, offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell appeared to attempt to call time out. Pough, who limps visibly as he awaits hip surgery, hobbled frantically toward an official to make sure the call was made.

When Blackwell informed his boss that was a mistake, Pough grinned. “I’m sorry, I did what you told me to do — (shoot)!” he said.

Otherwise, the image of the Orangeburg native, former Bulldogs player and son of S.C. State graduates consisted of Pough with his arms crossed, a stoic expression on his face. Occasionally, for variety, he adjusted his headset.

“He’s a little laid back,” assistant head coach David Blanchard said of his boss. “He probably had butterflies, but he preaches to us (assistants), ‘Be calm.’”

Why not? Pough, who served five years as a USC assistant under Brad Scott and Lou Holtz, knew what to expect.

“I told our guys, it’s just a football game,” Pough said, and laughed. “One thing I might’ve omitted was (USC) might have bigger, faster guys.”

Rarely, though, did he allow that reality to ruin what he knew was a unique moment for S.C. State and for him.

“I’m proud to be the guy who’s somewhat in charge when our university went into this new portion of our history,” he said.

“Some fans of ours appreciate the fact that, for a long time, we were the school of our people, and USC was not. But it was a strange feeling for me, me being a fan of USC, too.”

Willie Jeffries, S.C. State’s iconic former coach and Pough’s mentor, said the Bulldogs couldn’t have had a better man in charge for a historic night.

“He’s a true South Carolinian, a real Bulldog,” Jeffries said. “This will be the highlight of his career.”

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