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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 1996)
Scott Bruhn/DN ist Friday. Evans will start Saturday in the Big 12 championship game. Longhorns believe NU can be beaten - * * By Sam McKewon Staff Reporter In a word: nasty. That’s how Texas All-America of fensive guard Dan Neil described the Nebraska football team, which he will compete against Saturday in the Big 12 championship in St Louis. ex “They are big and really fast on both sides of - the ball,” said Neil Neil, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound senior, who is a finalist fen* die Outland Tro phy, “especially the defense.” - * Neil and the rest of the Longhorn offense will have a tall order to over come against the Blackshirts. NU leads the Big 12 in the four major defensive categories: rushing defense, pass-effi ciency defense, scoring defense and total defense. The Texas offense has played well, with its two best offensive outputs of the season coming in the last month. The Longhorns had 575 total yards against Texas Tech and 594 against Texas A&M. n! “We’re playing like we wanted to all along this year on offense and de fense,” Neil said. “Our team is where we thought it would be at the begin ning of die season.” Much of the 1996 season was not a smooth ride for the Longhorns. After opening with two wins, Texas squan dered a seven-point lead to lose to Notre Dame, 27-24 on Sept. 21 in Aus tin, Texas. What came next is what Neil calls the “Notre Dame hangover.” Texas was pounded by Virginia 37-13 the next week and lost to rival and winless Oklahoma 30-27 two weeks later. ’ “The Notre Dame loss affected us a lot,” Neil said. “It was our big chance to get back into the national spotlight, and we blew it We were in funk for a couple weeks.” - The turning point, Neil said, was a 28-24 loss to Colorado in Boulder on •• Nebraska has all They're the favorite and the national title contender." Mike Adams Texas wide receiver Oct. 26. Despite losing, Texas played well enough to win, he said, and the Longhorns haven’t lost since. “The Colorado game made it fun to play football again,” Texas line baeker Tyson King sad. “We should have won it, blit it got us focused on what we had to do.” King led a defensive revival, cul minating with UT’s best performance of die year last Friday" in its 51-15 win ova: A&M, a game in which UT al lowed only 227 yards, the Aggies’ low est total of die year. King said he thinks the Longhorns can continue their hot play Saturday. “We’ve got to take away the run and force them to throw the football,” King said. “Nebraska has to be put in uncomfortable situations for us to win.” The game may ultimately come down to big plays. Texas goes by way of the offense, led by quarterback James Brown, who is dangerous throwing and running. Running back Ricky Williams average* 6.4 yards per attempt, the second-best average in the Big 12. But NU’s defense has scored eight touchdowns and the Huskers have also come up big on special teams this sea son. “Whoever makes the big plays is going to win,” senior wide receiver Mike Adams said. “We can’t let their defense get a big score on us. “Nebraska has all the pressure. They’re the favorite and national title contender. We’re going to la it all hang out and crash the party.” Longhorn QB is not to blame for arrogance Having lived in Texas four years, I’m not surprised to hear James Brown proclaim that Texas is going to beat Nebraska by three touchdowns Saturday. Growing up in the Lone Star State, kids are taught that God made Texas first, and then as a gift to Texas, he gave it football. It doesn’t matter what part of the state you live in — everyone is taUght football. When y^u- go to get your driver’s license, there’s also a foot ball test. If Jfou don’t know the dif ference^ Between a wing T ami a ' Red River, which separates Texas and Oklahoma, is considered a Yan kee by all Texans. So when Brown says he s not worried about the NU defense, all he really means is that nobody out side Texas can play football. Brown’s arrogance shouldn’t surprise anybody. Ever since the Big 12 was cre ated in February 1994, haven’t Texas and the other three teams from the Longhorn State dictated the way things are going to go. in this conference? First it was the Big 12 Confer ence offices. Nebraska wanted them in Kansas City, Mo., or Colorado Springs, Colo., or even Oklahoma City. Anywhere but Texas. But to UT’s ayail, Texas won out, and now the Big 12 meetings are held in Dallas. Don’t forget, Steve Hatchell, former head of the Southwestern Conference — of which Texas was a member until the league collapsed — is now in charge of the Big 12. And probably the most .teated of all die debates is j^f^j§p|||^ tween Texas and Neliv^^pl^^ - ing the the recruitmlat of athletegi who do notfully meet NCAA aca demic requirements. ,', Although Nebraska worked a compromise, Texas basically got Its way, and because of it, high schoql students who don’t hilly meet die requirements can’t play in the Big 12. It that rule had been in place a few years ago, Jared Tomich^ Michael Booker and Jamel Will iams would probably be watching the Big 12 championship game on ' television instead of starting for the Blackshirts. The latest debate—and the one that takes precedence on Saturday — is the championship game itself. Nebraska didn’t want it; Texas did. You know the rest of the story. Now Nebraska, which is cruis ing toward a chance to win its third straight national championship, could be derailed by a 7-4 Texas * team that has nothing to lose. If the Longhorns lose, they drive 40 miles to San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl. With a win they go ’ to Miami to play in the Orange Bowl. f Once again Texas has a chance to get its way. So when Nebraska fans hear Brown’s comments, don’t get up set. It’s been pounded into his heal Kluck is a graduate student in journalism and a Dally Nebras kan senior reporter. Precision Skateboard The 1 Day Only Sale, That is So BIG it Thket S Days. { Sunglasses, Jeans, Tee & Sweat Shim; Backpacks, f Snowwear, Shoes, Hats, Jackets, & Beanies. . B6?fIHNGNT1-E STORE,ON SALE I Complele SnoMwards sterling at $260.95 } Compieie Skateboards starting aL$4Q^6 Today Tomorrow, and Sunday 2115 'O’ St 476-3044^ Randolph Jewelry & Loan 2700 Randolph ( Just eight blocks south of O St. on 27th) ♦Jewelry ♦Home & Car Electronics ♦Hand & Power Tools ♦Sporting Goods •Pool Cues Give » call at •Bicycles 475 1444 Let ns put the jingle back in Christmas this year! M-F 10:00 to 5:30 SAT 9:00 to 3:00 - ; Select Jackets by The North Face, Solstice & Mont-BeH on sale now! 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