Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 20

1 4 OD Lincoln Journal Star HUSKERS Page design: Julie Koch I Sunday. November 12, 1995 mm L-f' -v i v' RANDY HAMPTONUncom Journal Star TED KIRKLincoln Journal Star Nebraska defenders chase down a fumble by KU's Isaac Byrd (middle) on a punt in the first quarter Saturday. Nil's Jon Vedral (25) ended A Nebraska outside linebackers Jared Tomich (93) and Jason Peter -up'recovering the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. (95) celebrate after sacking KU quarterback Mark Williams. Nebraska's Tomich, Ellis have Jayhawks' number A'1 0 BY CURT MCKEEVER Lincoln Journal Star LAWRENCE, Kan.

Some numbers the Kansas offense put up against Nebraska Saturday afternoon 30 completions, 273 yards passing and 82 plays raised the eyebrows of NU outside linebacker Jared Tomich and middle linebacker Phil Ellis. Oh, and here's another Jayhawk number that had the pair wide-eyed three points. "They had a little more yards than we would've liked, but they're the lOth-ranked team and to keep them out of ELLIS the end zone is first career theft great," Tomich said after NU's 41-3 victory. "It definitely was our best performance." While Kansas had the NU defense on its heels in between the 20-yard lines, the Black Shirts remained patient against a short passing attack and almost always came up with a big play to stop a threat. By the end of the game, the Jay-hawks had commited five turnovers and Nebraska turned every one into a touchdown.

Tomich and Ellis, although not recording a lot of tackles, each made key contributions. On the first play of Kansas' third offensive series, Jayhawk running back June Henley took a pitch around the left side, but Tomich chased him down and jarred the ball loose. Teamate Tony Veland fell on it to give Nebraska possession at the KU 30-yard line. Three plays later, 1 ifKfr''L-J Vm I fj a a "I just read the running back. I don't think he was supposed to break out, but he broke and the ball came through," said Ellis, whose 11-yard return gave Nebraska the ball at its 41.

"It was a case of being in the right place at the right time." For much of the first half, Kansas' receivers usually got to that spot first, as quarterback Mark Williams completed 22 of 31 tosses for 185 yards. But the Jayhawks got just 88 through the air the rest of the way against a defense that spent more time breathing down Williams' neck. "We were just trying to keep the pressure on the quarterback," Tomich said. "He really stuck it to us in the first half, but in the second half he seemed like he was getting a little upset" Tomich had the only sack of Williams, who spent a lot of time dumping the ball of to running backs. "You've got to keep a real clear head because you turn around and it's right there." Tomich said of the short passes.

"That nickel and dime stuff really heats us up. But we just keep coming at them and sooner or later they've got to hold back for a minute. "I was surprised they threw so much. We thought it would be sweep left and sweep right the whole game." But Ellis, noted more for his ability to play the run, appeared happy the Jayhawks chose to try and beat NU via the dumpoff pass. "As long as we don't give up the big play a team can only go so far with that flare route," Ellis said.

"They completed a lot of passes, but for what? Ill take three points against a Top 10 team any day." A t. 1 11 s4 if A Nebraska outside Bnebacker quarter Saturday. to start the second half Saturday 1' 5 I 1 v1 fil I TED KIRKUncom Journal Star A Members of the Nebraska defensive line have shaved their heads this season. Crete's Nate Spiegel (above), with his unique haircut, would fit right in. quarterback Tommie Frazier snuck in from a yard out to make it 14-0.

"They were running a sweep to the other side and I got held up for a second," Tomich said. "But he was flagging it (the ball) pretty good, so I just swiped at it and caught it right on cue." Ellis, who missed three games and played briefly against Colorado because of a broken bone in his right foot, looked as if he had regained all of his speed Saturday. The senior from Grand Island deflected a pass in the first half. Then, in third quarter, after Kansas had got the ball back at the NU 41 when Maurice Caddie picked off a Frazier pass, Ellis made the first interception of his career to stop that threat. It I GAIL FOLDAUncoln Journal Star Jared Tomich wraps up Kansas quarterback Mark Williams in the third i TV 1 11 1 31 I (I ml 'tmJ ,1 -7 TED KIRKUnootn Joumi) Star 1 i I'M Vr hs II fr.

at Lawrence, Kan. RANDY HAMPTONUncom Journal Star A Aaron Penland (52) and a couple of his Husker teammates stand near a heater on the sideline Saturday. Temperatures atgame time at Lawrence, hovered near the freezing mark. 1 A Nebraska's Damon Beimlng breaks through with a long ktekoff return.