Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 22

I I 9 a. ,4 0r Uncotn Journal Star Sunday, October 1. 1995 HUSKERS Page design: Jtrtie Koch RHR i 71 Ml II II 5 (r- i foe- TED KIRKUncoln Journal Star A The official signals touchdown as NU quarterback Tommie Frazier (15) crosses the goal line on a 20-yard run in the second quarter Saturday. Frazier scored two rushing touchdowns and also threw a TD pass. Cougar coaches, players disappointed but not dejected I'.

L-y" VJ BY RYLY JANE HAMBLETON Lincoln Journal Star 1 fit V- mimm TED KIRKUncoln Journal Star Nebraska's Grant Wistrom (98) stops Washington State's Shawn Tims for a loss in the first half Saturday. The comeback was encouraging to Washington State players Saturday at Memorial Stadium, but none $ere satisfied. "I After Nebraska took a 20-7 first-half lead and had a 299-162 total offense advantage, the Cougars roared back to trim Nebraska's lead to 28-14 and then again cut the margin to 35-21. But Washington State couldn't convert after recovering an onside kickoff and the upset chance slipped away. "There were times we needed to make the big play and came up short," said receiver Jay Dumas.

"We didn't make some third downs, we missed some tackles on their running backs. It's a tough loss, especially since we came in here with the intent of winning." Quarterback Chad Davis, who threw for 278 yards add two touchdowns, said the Cougars' opportunities rnay have come too late. I- "Field position is what killed us early. They are so good on the defensive line, it's hard to get any running game going," he said. "And with 75.000 people so loud, and on your own 5-yard line, yeah, it matters.

You're at a loss over what you can do." The Cougars started possessions inside their 18 six of seven times in the first half, while Nebraska began its drives at its 29 or better six of seven times. "Let's put it this way our kickoff return coverage will get some real intense work this week. And our returns were just pathetic," said Coach Mike Price. "The wind was holding the ball up on kickoffs and we were attacking well enough. We had terrible field position.

"Our game plan was real solid, but we needed to get in position to do that. In the second half, we got our offense going, but we needed to protect better in the first half. And we also self-destructed a bit." Despite his disappointment in the loss, Price said he was pleased with his team. "Our goal coming in was to win and we came up short, so we're disappointed. But it isn't disappointment in our effort or pride or desire," he said.

"We had an opportunity to win the game in the fourth quarter and came up short." Price said the Cougars didn't let the 'Husker mystique' bother them. "It can be discouraging to play this football team. They can get on top of you and break your will," said Price. "They didn't do that to us, but when they do, they jqst bury you. It was a little louder than I thought it would be." i Cornerback Shad Hinchen, who finished with four unassisted tackles and 10 total tackles, agreed.

"Most teams come to Nebraska and they're scared because of their name. But we weren't afraid." he said. Jit was very loud and sometimes we couldn't make Calls. But we played well and gave it everything we had and that's all you can expect." Frank Madu's 87-yard burst for a touchdown early in the first quarter gave the Washington State players confidence, but it wasn't a portent of things to come for him. Madu finished the game with 90 yards rushing on rune carries.

'J i.i,iMunininiimyiu iu 1 jtnwimiaj mumim iw i i i min mm -N 5 if'- TED KIRKUncoln journal Star A Washington State Coach Mike Price shows his disgust about a personal foul called against the Cougars in the second quarter Saturday. "I was surprised when I saw all that green (open field). The play was executed well," he said. "When opportunity calls, you have to take it to the end zone. It was total tunnel vision.

"After seeing it open up like that, and seeing what they're all about, I thought it would be my day. But they started keying in on most of our running plays." Price said that forced the Cougars to change their offensive emphasis. "We thought we could sweep them, because we thought the new linebacker (Doug Colman) was a little slower than (Phil) Ellis (who broke a foot this week). But they stopped the sweep cold and Colman wasn't a minus factor for Nebraska," Price said. "I thought our plan was good.

I wouldn't change too much. I probably would have gone for it instead of try the field goal (early in the third quarter), and maybe a few other plays." The Cougars faced fourth-and-2 at the NU 23 but Tony Truant was wide left on a 40-yard attempt. "I still think we're not as good as we will be. We played the second half with four starters out," Price said. "The team played very courageously and our next game in a coliseum like this, we'll do better." 2 ASSOCIATED PRESS Nebraska's Jeff Makovicka (22) bulls his way past Washington State's Shane Doyle (right) in the first half Saturday.

i tf TV xrto i' -i -Y mifrVkf 9 1 5TN Til TED KIRKUncoln Journal Stir A Nebraska's Aaron Penland (52) and Billy Legate (40)'tackle Frank Madu of Washinaton State on the aame's ODenina kickoff Saturday at RANDV HAMPTONuncoin joumai star Memorial Stadium. Madu surprised the Cornhuskers on an 87-yard run on the Cougars' second possession but finished with just 90 yards on A Bill Bazyn of Norfolk shows his Cornhusker spirit. nine rushing attempts. A.