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Against odds and advice, WR excels

TAMPA -- South Carolina junior receiver/tailback Ryan Brewer had a breakout game in the 2000 Outback Bowl, when he was named MVP after leading the Gamecocks to a 24-7 win over Ohio State.

To coach Lou Holtz, Brewer always will be the consummate diamond in the rough whom no one else wanted.

The unconventional recruiting of Brewer started with an Ohio doctor calling Holtz out of the blue.

"Guy tells me about this young man, Ryan Brewer, who was player of the year in Ohio and 6 feet 4, 242 pounds," Holtz said. "Well, you know, turns out he's 5-8, 205 pounds or something."

Holtz called Brewer anyway.

"I guess he'd watched the video Do Right (Holtz's 1988 motivational tape) when his dad made him watch it in seventh grade, and he always wanted to play for me. Well, the reason he wanted to play for me was he didn't have any offers."

Brewer was turned down by Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame and even got a thumbs down by Holtz's assistants when they watched his game film. Holtz liked Brewer's "conversation."

After winning his teammates and South Carolina fans over with his work ethic, Brewer was named most valuable freshman. He is the team's second-leading receiver behind Brian Scott with 25 catches for 335 yards and two touchdowns.

IN BED ON NEW YEAR'S EVE: Ohio State coach Jim Tressell and Holtz were questioned about curfews.

Tressell wouldn't announce his curfew time, calling it a "trick play." Holtz hinted that players would be in bed by the usual 10 p.m.

"New Year's is going to come whether they're up or not," Holtz said. "They've got a lot of years to look forward to that.

"I just say this: You got 60 minutes to play and a lifetime to remember it."

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