Matt Miller/DN BYRON HANSPARD, Tfexas Tech’s junior tailback, leads the nation with a 217.7 yards-per-game rushing average. FOOTBALL from page 9 But playing against a versatile backfield will present NU with a number of challenges. Besides trying to contain Hanspard—who has not rushed for fewer than 194 yards since the sea son opener—Nebraska must con trol Texas Tech quarterback Zebbie Lethridge. He has thrown for 771 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Lethridge has also run for 197 yards in six games. “Those guys are both capable runners, and you just can’t key on one,” Husker rush end Grant Wistrom said. “You’ve got to re spect both of their runners. “If we can shut down their run ning game, we’ve really accom plished something.” Lethridge made his collegiate debut as a freshman against the Huskers in NU’s 42-16 win at Texas Tech two years ago. That game marks the last time die Red Raiders lost at Jones Stadium. Since then, Texas Tech has won 11-straight home games. “He’s a much more confident guy, and he knows the offense a lot better,” NU Defensive Coordinator Charlie McBride said. “His running ability is that of a tailback.” Many things need to fall into place for NU if it wants to win a third-straight national champion ship, Benning said, something the Huskers need not think about before the sixth week of the season. “We’re definitely not thinking about winning the national champi onship right now,” Benning said. “We are a lot more focused on im mediate goals. And the main one right now is trying to get a W on Saturday.” . — .... _ Lobfcoek, Texas Starters Poe. No. Hmm Ht WL Yr. Poo. No. Noao HL Wt Yr. LT 77 Adam RT 70 Eric Anderson 64 305 Jr. RT 67 LynnScherter 64 285 Sr. QB 7 Scott Frost 6-3 215 Jr. QB 8 Zebbie Uthridge 64 192 Jr. PK 35 Kris Brown 5-10 205 So. PK 97 Jarel Greaser 64 180 So. Poe. No. Name HL WL Yr. Poo. Now Name HL WL Yr. Sr. 6-6 249 Jr. 6-1 251 Jr. 64 196 Jr. 5-11 190 So. Linebacker aims to stop run Red Raiders rival the Blackshirts in run defense. By David Wilson StaffReporter Though Nebraska ranks sixth in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 41.6 points per game, Texas Tech strongside linebacker Robert Johnson said the Red Raiders are ready for the Comhusker offense. “It’s been a really intense week,” Johnson said. “Everybody is fired up. It’s probably one of the most impor tant games we’ve played in a long time.” Johnson, who leads the 4-2 Red Raiders with 63 tackles this season, said Texas Tech must stop the run first in order to defeat the 4-1 Comhuskers Saturday. Nebraska is averaging 324.4 yards on the ground this season, which ranks third in the nation. “Right now, the key to stopping Nebraska is stopping the run,” Johnson said. “Our guys need to step it up a notch. Ahman Green is a strong run ner and their quarterback is really fast.” Against Kansas last week, Texas Tech had two fourth-quarter intercep tions and a safety, which sparked a 30 17 come-from-behind victory. The Raiders held Kansas running back June Hailey to just 43 yards on 22 rushing attempts and held the Jayhawk offense to just 61 yards on the ground. “The Kansas game gave us a lot of confidence,” Johnson said. “We know we can go out and {day with the best.” Johnson, a 5-foot-ll, 194-pound senior, is a three-year Tech starter. “I’m more mature this year,” he said. “I’m approaching the game with a lot of balance as far as emotions go.” Last season, Johnson finished fourth on the team with 65 tackles, while accounting for eight turnovers. And though the matchup Saturday in Lubbock will pit two of the top run ning backs in the nation, Johnson said, both team's passing games could be just as important. “It’s going to be a hard-fought game between comers and wide receivers,” he said. “That is going to be one of the most important keys ofthe game. Ibis is a game when you should expect the unexpected.” v After losing two of their first three games, the Raiders have won their last three,'totaling 133 points. . “We have a lot of confidence in our offense,” Johnson said. “They have come a long way from the start of the season.” Texas Tech, which finished 9-3 last season, is looking to keep improving this year, Johnson said. “As a team, this will be a great win,” Johnson said. “We hope to put every thing together so this can be another stepping stone. Then we can go from there.” Dykes says Tfech is ready for NU By Mike Kluck Senior Reporter Texas Tech has come to the ban quet table of the Big 12 Conference and filled its plate. Now, the Red Raiders will find out if they feast or famine. A win Satur day against fifth ranked Nebraska could cure their hunger. However, for Texas Tech to en joy the sweet taste of victory, Coach Spike Dykes said the Red Raiders will have to play their best game of the year. “We have to go out and play a near perfect ballgame,” Dykes said. “Then we have to have some dang good for tune and have Nebraska not play one of their better games.” But Dykes said the Raiders aren’t prepared to back down from the two time defending national champions. “Anytime you step in a ring with a heavyweight, you have to be ready to take some knocks,” Dykes said. “If you are a tme competitor, it’s a lot of fun to play against a great team like Ne braska. We see this as a great privilege to go out and play.” The Raiders have taken their knocks this season, losing to Kansas State 21 -14 to open the season and then 15-12 to Georgia. Since the Georgia game, Texas Tech has won three straight, including a 58-20 victory over Utah State and a 45-24 win against Baylor. Last Saturday, the Raiders beat Kansas 30-17 in Lawrence, Kan. Dykes said he was pleased to see his team experience some success away from Jones Stadium. The last time the Raiders lost at home was Sept. 8,1994, to Nebraska, 42-16 on a Thursday night. Part of the reason for the home winning streak, Dykes said, is because of Tech’s fans. They will be a major factor if the Raiders upset Nebraska Saturday, Dykes said. Jones Stadium, which seats 50,500, is sold out for the game. “They’re (Nebraska) used to crowds,” Dykes said. “But I’m not sure if they are used to hostile crowds. If we have a live crowd in our comer, I expect that to be a big, big benefit.” But if the Nebraska offense scores early, Dykes said, the crowd may not become a factor. The possibility exists, Dykes said, for his team to be blown out. “Scott Frost is a great quarterback,” Dykes said. “He is as strong as a bull and runs the ball hard. You can’t take all of them away when they line up with their offensive power.” KU, CU set for rematch By Jay Saunders StaffReporter There has been a sense of revenge in Boulder this week. A year ago, the Colorado football team was 5-0 heading into a game with Kansas. The Jay hawks upset CU 40-24, leaving lOth-ranked Colorado hungry for Saturday’s 11:30 ajn. rematch in Lawrence, Kan. “We had a couple of tight games, and last year out in Boulder, we found a way to win,” Kansas Coach Glen Mason said. Colorado Coach Rick Neuheisel said his team is certainly aware of last year’s loss. “There is no question that it was a setback,” Neuheisel said. “We know we can’t go in there without emotion and focus.” Football Pjcks__ NEXXUS REF" I SALE 1L Eco-Smart Refill ingsof*!!.00-*!!.50 Humectress* Moisturizing Conditioner $47“ Reg. 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