The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, October 21, 1996, Page 9, Image 9
^■! i I— I Ryan Soderlin/DN Soott Bruhn/DN Raider Coach proud of team —.. By Senior Reporter * LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech had every chance to throw in the towel Saturday against Nebraska. & A quick Comhusker score just seven seconds into the game and a dominating NU defense that regis 17 tackles the line of scrimmage would have left most teams looking for , the quickest route to the showers. cur to the deligbt of Red Raider Coach Spike Dykes, Tech kept fight ing and scrapping, and despite losing 24-10, the Raidas earned their coach’s praise. “I am proud of our football team for not quitting,” Dykes said. “They played hard against a great team and a great program. Nebraska had a lot of firepower, especially rushing the passer. We did a good job in the first half.” Early in the game, it didn’t look like » Tech would survive for long. On the first play from scrimmage, Raider tailback Byron Hanspard fumbled into the hands of Terrell Farley, who pranced into the end zone. “It’s, just a missed handoff,” Hanspard said, “but I take credit for it” Unfortunately for Hanspard, that wasn’t his only turnover of the day. On Tech’s opening drive of the sec ond half with the score tied at 10, Hanspard fumbled again, and Ralph Brown recovered at die Tech 41. Seven plays later, Nebraska quarterback Scott Frost scored on a three-yard option keeper, and the Huskers tot* die lead. “Itkm’t feel like I did my best when I needed to,” Hanspard said. “I fumbled twice, which made us lose the game. We all have bad days* but God loves us regardless. I don't feel like I did my best when I needed to. I fumbled twice, which made us lose the game. We all have bad days, but God loves us regardless.” Bybon Hanspard Tfexas Tfech tailback “I was very disappointed about the (first) fumble, because I felt like it cost us the game. I will try to get my head back on and get to that level of a great back. Right now, I am not on that level.” Hanspard was not to blame for the loss, Dykes said, but it was difficult for the Red Raiders to come back af ter the early NU touchdown. “You can’t turn the ball over,” Dykes said. “When you spot them seven points to shut with, it's hard to come back against that kind of foot ball team.” Tech quarterback Zebbie Lethridge said it was difficult for the Raiders to get anything going offensively. “I give Nebraska a lot of credit,” Lethridge said. “They are a tough de fense with very physical players and a lot of speed. To do anything against Nebraska, you have to pass against them. Their weakness is the second ary, but they have one of the best in the country.” Lethridge left Jones Stadium on Saturday with one hope. He warns to face Nebraska again in the Big 12 championship game, Dec. 7 in St. Louis. Scott Bruhn/DN I _ fm Cifilflfi Tklf Nebraska 24 liameoai Texas Tech 10 L I Fhyer Alt Yds. TDs Player Alt Yds. IDs HsyerRec. Yds. TPs Player Use. Yds. TDs ’ T; • .. . ■0 ’• v .'• 13 17 Fumbles 4 3 1ST 142 v Penalties/yards 11/99 4i33 4 11 Time of possession 26:28 33:32 231 214 Sacks/ymds4/30 1/5 Clockwise from left: AHMAN GREEN is tackled by Tfexas Tfech’s Dane Johnson (No. 13) and Corey Turner Saturday. Green led Nebraska rushers with 76 yards on 19 attempts. LANCE BROWN drops a third quarter pass from Scott Frost. Frost completed just 4 of 12 passes for 55 yards. GRANT WISTROM hits Byron Hanspard as the Texas Tech tailback fumbles on the first play from scrimmage. The fumble, caused by Jason Peter, was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Terrell Farley. JARED TOMICH chases Tfexas Tech quarterback Zebbie Lethridge. Lethridge was sacked six times by the NU defense. i rnnlhaM Dalle rOOuMHI rOHS Associated Press Poll Tim Record Pim 4. Arizona St (1) 7-0 4 mm i—— mmmmmmmmmi 6. Tennessee 4-1 6 wmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 8. Colorado 5-1 9 10. Michigan 5-1 13 12. West Virginia 7-0 15 14. Virginia 5-L 20 16. Kansas St 6-1 21 18. Wyoming 8-0 - 23 20. Iowa 5-1 22. Anton 5-2 16 24. Southern Miss. 6-1 Coaches' Poll _ Torn Record Pik 2. Florida St (5) 5-0 2 4. Arizona St 7-0 5 6. Alabama 7-0 7 8. Colorado5-1 10 10. Michigan 5-1 12 12. Noftbweatem 0-1 15 14. Kanaa St6-1 - 19 16. Brigham Yowng 7-1 20 18 . Wyoraag841 22 20. Notre Dame 441 9 21 Utah /' 6-1 25 24. Washington 4-2 ’