Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 24

i PJ Lincoln Journal Star HUSKER EXTRA Page design: Karl Vogel Sunday, October 19. 1997 1 1 lips 1 11 1 1 .4 j-1 hi I it V- 7 1 'V Tr 4 9 r7 -K A in Jt.a.tf.-fc,.--.J,V,-5 A i It I TED KIRKUncon Journal Star Cornhusker offensive guard Jon Zatechka (left) pounces on an Ahman Green fumble in the end zone for a third-quarter touchdown while Red Raider linebacker Ty Ardoin (29) pursues the play. Zatechka lives every lineman's dream Fumble recovery gives Husker guard celebrity status IAN DOREMUSLincoln Journal Star Nebraska's Ahman Green catches a pass in front of Texas Tech defensive back Dane Johnson (13) late in the first quarter. 8Y JEFF KORBELIK Lincoln Journal Star Jon Zatechka wasn't sure what to make of his new celebrity status. It's not often an offensive lineman is asked to stand before the media after a football game.

Then again, it's not often an offensive lineman scores a touchdown. "There's not a whole lot to tell about it," said a modest Zatechka, a senior right offensive guard from Lincoln. "I just fell on the balL" Zatechka's recovery of an Ahman Green I third-quarter fumble Saturday was a popular I topic during postgame interviews after No. 2 Nebraska's 29-0 victory over Texas Tech in I Memorial Stadium. It had been more than 13 years since the last time an NU offensive 1 invito lineman had scored a touchdowa All-American guard Dean Steinkuhler ran a "fumblerooskie" in for a 19-yard score against Miami in the 1984 Orange BowL Zatechka said he didn't think it was that big of deal, but after a while he realized the significance.

"There's not a whole lot of -I- a fx," ZATECHKA chances to get to touch the uwi.Lra wKc RANDY HAMPTONLmcoln Journal Star looiDaii, so i ieei preuy pnvuegeo, ne saia. Nebraska guards Aaron Taylor (67) and Jon Zatechka (64) celebrate a touchdown as back Zatechka said his TD was the result of being judge Randy McAnally (left) signals that Zatechka recovered an Ahman Green fumble for a in the right place at the right time. Nebraska third-quarter score. had the ball at the Red Raider 13 when Green f4' broke through the Tech defensive line toward great effort out of Jon," Taylor said. "He was the end zone.

down there trying to make the blocks and he At the 4-yard line, Green's knee knocked the got the fumble recovery." ball from his grasp an into the end zone where Taylor called Zatechka Nebraska's "new Zatechka alertly fell on it weapon." "There was a lot of people that could have "I was the first one there wanting the ball recovered it," Zatechka said. "All five of (the from him, but he wouldn't give it up," Taylor linemen) were hustling downfield, trying to get said. "That's a lineman's dream." downfield blocks." Zatechka's touchdown triggered a Offensive guard Aaron Taylor was about celebration with his teammates. five yards away and said he "was ready to dive" jt was a dogpile, a dogpile in the end zone," on it, but saw Zatechka make the move. center Josh Heskew said.

"I don't think "It was unfortunate Ahman fumbled and I've ever seen an offensive lineman score like didn't get a touchdown, but I'm glad we got a that It was definitely a high point from the of fensive line's point of view." The celebration left Zatechka "tired." "Just about the whole offense jumped on me," he said. "I couldn't really breathe too well It was pretty fun." Zatechka said his assignment on the play was to block the linebacker. After the block, he followed the play downfield and saw the ball squirt loose. "It was like 'Oh, he said. The touchdown was the first of his career, which includes high school and midget football.

"I thought on the first one I would have a little bit of running room, but 111 take what I can get," he said. TED KIHKLmcom Journal Star Nebraska quarterback Scott Frost scrambles for an 18-yard gain 6n a second-quarter drive that later ended with a touchdown. 1 St, 4 MM, 1 I- 'At V. yTi i A I. 'a i i 1 -J v- 1 ') mJk TED KIRKlmookt Journal Star Husker defensive tackle Steve Warren (96) and rush end Mike Rucker (84) close in on Texas Tech tailback Adrian Ervin (2) and drop him for a 6-yard loss in the waning seconds of the first half.

GAIL FOLDAUncom Journal Star Husker kicker Kris Brown (35) boots the first of his three field goals while teammate Ted Retzlaff (13) holds and Texas Tech's Oscar Solis (28) tries to block the kick. 4 iv a m. i1-- M.h a.