Southeast Roundup : Georgia Rallies in Last Quarter for a 20-13 Win

Georgia wrestled Clemson to a virtual stalemate for three quarters but won the fourth quarter decisively Saturday at Clemson, S.C., and went home with a 20-13 win.

And Coach Vince Dooley had nothing but praise for two of the players who enabled the Bulldogs to overpower the Tigers in the final period by a 17-3 margin.

“I felt that we had to take control a little bit toward the end of the game,” Dooley said. “(Quarterback James) Jackson helped us to do that by being able to get out on the corner and run the option.

“I think I have to pay tribute to our offensive line and to Jackson, who came off the bench and really gave us a spark.”

Dooley also spoke highly of defensive back John Little, who made two fourth-quarter interceptions.

“He played a great game for us as a rover, punt returner, kickoff team member and an overall quarterback on defense,” Dooley said.

Little intercepted two Randy Anderson passes in the fourth quarter, one with about eight minutes left at the Clemson 47 just after Georgia had taken the lead for the first time. Georgia had scored 30 seconds earlier when center Peter Anderson pounced on Keith Henderson’s fumble into the end zone.

Little’s other interception came with less than a minute left when Anderson threw a desperation pass from the Georgia 36 intended for receiver Shelton Boyer in the end zone.

Clemson, playing before 81,500, dropped to 1-1, while the Bulldogs climbed to 2-1.

LSU 17, Colorado State 3--Dalton Hilliard’s 151 yards rushing and a defense that intercepted two passes, blocked a field goal and made a goal-line stand led No. 9 LSU to victory at Baton Rouge, La.

Hilliard’s 25 carries included a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that put LSU ahead, 14-0.

Garry James, who ran 96 yards in 14 carries, scored LSU’s first touchdown with a 28-yard run in the second quarter. Tiger quarterback Jeff Wickersham had 17 completions in 26 attempts for 180 yards.

Alabama 45, Cincinnati 10--At Tuscaloosa, Ala., Mike Shula passed for two touchdowns and set up another with a long completion. But he still wasn’t satisfied.

Although he led No. 16-ranked Alabama to touchdowns on its first five possessions, Shula said the Alabama offense is not where it should be.

“We moved the ball and scored points,” he said. “I think we did some good things and some great things, but I think we need to strive for consistency.”

Shula, who completed his first 6 passes and was 9 for 12 for 156 yards, set up the Tide’s first score with a 56-yard pass to Greg Richardson to put the ball at the one. He later hit Thornton Chandler for a 13-yard touchdown and Bobby Humphrey for a 17-yard score.

It was the third straight win for Alabama and the first loss in four games for Cincinnati, which lost quarterback Danny McCoin with an ankle injury late in the first half after he had completed 14 passes in 18 attempts for 158 yards.

Mississippi St. 23, S. Mississippi 20--Don Smith threw three long touchdown passes at Jackson, Miss., as Mississippi State overcame four turnovers to stop Southern Mississippi.

Before a crowd of 54,300, Mississippi State (3-0) got touchdown passes of 36, 52 and 49 yards from Smith, who completed 13 of 32 attempts for 284 yards.

“My receivers made some great catches for me out there today,” Smith said. “That made the big play possible for us.”

Kentucky 16, Tulane 11--Mark Higgs raced 20 yards for a touchdown with 2:17 left to pace the Wildcats at Lexington, Ky.

A 35-yard pass from Bill Ransdell to fullback Chris Derry set up the winning touchdown.

Ransdell completed 22 of 34 passes for 302 yards for Kentucky (1-1), while Ken Karcher was 27 of 42 for 236 yards for Tulane (0-3).

Mississippi 18, Arkansas State 16--Kent Austin hit Andree Rodgers with a 13-yard touchdown pass with 2:18 left to give Mississippi a come-from-behind victory at Oxford, Miss.

Austin had a minus 27 yards rushing. But he managed to complete 22 of 32 passes for 220 yards. Austin’s favorite target was split end J.R. Ambrose, who had 89 yards on six receptions, including a 19-yarder.

Also, Bryan Owen kicked a Mississippi school record-tying four field goals, hitting from 20, 34, 48, and 27 yards. Owen’s efforts matched those of Todd Gatlin against Louisiana State in 1981.

The final kick gave Ole Miss (1-1-1) its first lead of the game over the Southland Conference visitors, who are ranked second in the nation in Division I-AA.

Stuart Reid kicked field goals of 24, 31 and 47 yards for Arkansas State (2-2).