Hodges Confident About Gamecocks

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) â€” Gov. Jim Hodges doesn't plan to make any friendly wagers when South Carolina plays Ohio State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1. <br><br>It's not that Hodges lacks confidence

Wednesday, December 27th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) â€” Gov. Jim Hodges doesn't plan to make any friendly wagers when South Carolina plays Ohio State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

It's not that Hodges lacks confidence in his beloved Gamecocks, who'll take on the Buckeyes, the team of Ohio Gov. Bob Taft.

Quite the contrary. He's so sure South Carolina will win that he's certain Taft wouldn't want to risk a wager, said Hodges' spokesman Morton Brilliant.

Before the 1995 Carquest Bowl, former Gov. Carroll A. Campbell Jr. and his West Virginia counterpart bet a basket of products and crafts from their respective cities of Charleston. The Gamecocks got their first bowl victory, 24-21.

The Gamecocks haven't been to a bowl game in six years and are 1-8 in postseason play.