The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 18

Pag 1 8 The Lincoln Star HUSSCERS Friday, September 9, 1994 ensive line doss one better "But they changed things up, really rushed the middle, and we slowed down." A little halftime change to the middle of the Texas Tech defense was all the Cornhuskers needed to expand a 14-9 lead into a 43-16 victory, Tenopir said. "We went to the power and the middle, and our kids like that kind of football smash-mouth football," Tenopir said. "The kids reacted well, and that made all the difference in the world." The Cornhuskers rolled up 370 yards in the second half and all but 35 were on the ground. I-back Lawrence Phillips led the way with a career-high 175 yards in the game, and fullback Cory Schles-inger and quarterback Tommie Frazier each finished with 84 yards rushing. "We got things going in the second half by playing through the middle with a couple of traps and a couple of dives," Graham said.

"We got Cory loose on a trap and a dive play on one drive and then Lawrence on a similar play with the fullback blocking for him." Those three big plays keyed two scoring drives on Nebraska's first two possessions of the second half, breaking the game open. "Once again, we were the better-conditioned team," said Graham, a native of Denton, Texas. "I think we played well, especially in the second half, but we know we need to play better the whole game "We had the points and the yards, but there were some techniques and some little things we have to smooth out yet" 1 NU senior offensive tackle Rob Zatechka agreed. "We showed we have the potential to be No, but there are so many little things we need to iron out before we can claim that rating," he said. Zatechka said the best sign for the Cornhuskers was the ability to recover from Texas Tech's second-half opening touchdown.

"We missed a couple of field goals and dldnt score late in the second quarter, and that shows a lack of consistency," he said. "But we did the good things before that and after that to show we have some ability, too. "The boles opened up, and our backs got the yards, but it didnt happen all night long, and that's ourgoaL" Huskers surpass goal with more than 500 yards rushing. By Ken Hambleton of The Lincoln Star LUBBOCK, Texas Despite the fact Nebraska's offense was held to 81 yards in the second quarter, the Cornhuskers still rolled up 612 yards of total offense, including 524 rushing, against Texas Tech Thursday night That effort gave the members of the offensive line a victory in a gentlemen's bet they had with offensive line coach Milt Tenopir. "Coach Tenopir came into the locker room before the game and set our goal at 400 yards rushing," said Cornhusker center Aaron Graham.

"And we all said, let's get 500 yards. It wasn't a big bet, but we had to produce to get it" Tenopir said he wasnt surprised at the overwhelming statistics. "We played well with the options and the outside stuff at the start, and Texas Tech adjusted," Tenopir said. "We broke some big plays in the first quarter and got a couple of scores. tan DortmmLMcoln Star Husker linebacker Donta Jones (84) celebrates a tackle in the second quarter.

NU-Texas Tech Notes without any other significant injuries, according to Sullivan. Safety Tony Veland, a converted quarterback, got the first pass interception of his career late in the first half. He returned the ball a season-high 35 yards to the Texas Tech 33-yard line. But the series ended with Darin Erstad's miss on a 49-yard field goal attempt Wingback Abdul Muhammad saw a personal string of 13 games with at least one pass reception end. The victory was Nebraska's 15th in a row during the regular season, the nation's second-longest current streak.

The Cornhuskers have now won 174 consecutive games in which they have scored 35 points or more. Frazier rushed for 84 yards on 13 carries and is now tied with Turner Gill, his position coach, for second on Nebraska's career rushing yardage list for quarterbacks. He and Gill each have 1,317 yards. Steve Taylor ranks No. 1, at 2,560.

LUBBOCK, Texas Mike Mint-er, Nebraska's sophomore free safety, apparently will be lost for the season, after suffering a torn left anterior cruciate ligament in the third quarter of Thursday's 42-16 victory against Texas Tech at Jones Stadium After landing out of bounds tempting to make a tackle on the Texas Tech sideline, Minter had to be helped back across the field. George Sullivan, Nebraska's head football trainer, said the ACL was torn. Minter's loss further depletes the Cornhusker secondary. Senior Sedric Collins, also a safety, quit the team after the Kickoff Classic. "People cant imagine what he means to the defense Nebraska defensive coordinator Charlie McBride said of Minter.

"The kid is for real He's the most outstanding young one (defensive back) we've had." In order to shore of the secondary, McBride said, sophomore Michael Booker and freshman Oo tavious McFarlin probably would be taken out of redshirts. "We can still be Nebraska came out of the game V-VSW; Randy HamptonLincoln star Nebraska l-back Lawrence Phillips breaks away from Texas Tech defender Cat Adams (22) and sprints 56 yards for a third quarter touchdown. Phillips rushed for 1 75 yards. Cornhusker backs run wild, long Defense keeps it simple NU's McBride says QB scrambles 'a little taste of By Curt McKeever of The Lincoln Star LUBBOCK, Texas The look on Charlie McBride's face after Nebraska's 42-16 victory against Texas Tech Thursday night wasn't close to resembling that of a worried defensive coordinator. "We played vanilla.

We havent shown anything," McBride said. Displaying another hesvf dose of power-rush football, the Nebraska defense allowed 297 yards and gave up its first points of the season. "It was pretty simple," comerback Tyrone Williams said of NU's scheme. "I think we're just holding things back for UCLA." The Cornhuskers play host to the Bruins a week from Saturday. Williams, admittedly rusty in his first game of the year, got beat on a disputed 43-yard pass play that led to a second-quarter field goal Television replays showed the pass to split end Field Scovell hit the ground.

The Red Raiders also opened the second half with an 80-yard touchdown drive, during which quarterback Zebbie Lethridge got loose on a pair of 18-yard runs. "None of those were plays those were all quarterback scrambles," McBride said. "I dont count that as a defensive scheme. You're rushing the passer, and he cant throw it He's got to run." Which reminded McBride of an obstacle down the road for Nebraska. "That's a little taste of Colorado and Kordell Stewart," he said.

"People will say 'What's wrong with the Nothing is wrong with the defense. It's the doggone quarterbacks who are pretty good." Thursday, McBride said his squad also fit that category. "Our first bunch played really well," he said. "We had a pass interference on the goal that was questionable, and that really hurt" The flag against Williams on a pass into the end zone intended for Sheldon Bass gave Tech a first-and-10 at the NU 14 on the opening series of the second half. Three plays later, Lethridge connected with Scott Aylor on a TD pass from 6 yards.

"I don't know what they called," Williams said. "I was just running beside the guy, and both of us fell." Defensive tackle Christian Peter said he thought the defense gave a good showing of itself. "I think we played well At times, they had a couple good plays on us and scored. "They came out hard. What was on our side was we were in a lot better shape." McBride said he thought every defensive player who suited up for Nebraska got in the game.

"The one thing we got out of this we wanted to give our young people some time," he said. Scoring Summary How AP Top 25 Fared Methodist. 1 4. Southern CaJ (1-0) CM not play. Next at Na 8 Penn State.

15. Oklahoma (1-0) did not play. Next at No. 18 Texas 16. Texas (1-0) did not play.

Next vs. No. 16 Oklahoma. 17. North Carolina (1-0) did not play.

Next vs. Tulane. Saturday, Sept. 17. 18 Ohio State (1-0) did not play.

Next at No. 25 Washington. 19. Tennessee (0-1) did not play. Next at No.

23 Georgia. 20. Texas (1-0) did not play. Next: vs. Louisville.

21. Virginia Tech (1-0) did not play. Next at Southern Mississippi. 22. Clemson (1-0) dk) not play.

Next: vs. North Carolina State. 23. Georgia (1-0) did not play. Next vs.

No. 19 Tenoossoo. 24. Stanford (00) did not play. Next at Northwestern.

25. Washington (0-1) rid not play. Next vs. No. 18 Ohio State.

1 Nebraska (2-0) beat Texas Tech 42-16. Next vs. No. 13 UCLA, Saturday. Sept.

17. 2. Florida (1-0) did not play. Next: vs. Kentucky.

3. Notre Dame (10) cW not play. Next: vs. No. 6 Michigan.

4. Florida State (1-0) did not plat. Next: at Mary-land. 5. Miami, Fla.

(1-0) dk) not plat. Next: at Arizona State. 6. Michigan (1-0) did not play. Next: at No.

3 Notre Oame. 7. Colorado (1-0) did not play. Next: vs. No.

10 Wisconsin, Saturday, Sept. 1 7. 8. Perm State (1 -0) did not play. Next: vs.

No. 1 4 Southern CaJ. 9. Arizona (1-0) did not play. Next: vs.

New Mexico State. 10. Wisconsin (0-0) did not plat. Next: vs. Eastern Michigan.

11. Alabama (1-0) dd not play. Next: vs. Vender-but. 12.

Auburn (1-0) did not play. Next: vs. Northeast Louisiana. 13. UCLA (1-0) not play.

Next: vs. Southern NU-TT Howacorad Tknaltft FIRST QUARTER 7-0 Tommie Frazier St run 159 Drive 78 yards in 6 plays. HkjhUghted by Lawrence PhWps 9 pass from Fra ner, PhiHips run. Conversion: Sieler kick. SECOND QUARTER 144 Tommie Frailer 3 nm Drive: 98 yards in 1 5 plays.

Highlighted by Frazier 9, 5 runs, PhMps 7, 7, 13. 6 runs, Phillips 25 pass from Frazier. Conversion: Sieler kick. 14-3 Jon Davis 49ftW goal 10:43 Drive: 48 yards i 6 plays. Hghltghted by Field Scovel 43 pass tram Tony Darden.

THIRD OUARTER 14-9 Scott Aylor Span from Zebbie Lethridge Drive: 80 yards in 9 plays. Highlighted by LethrkJge 19, 19 runs, Lethridge 14, 6 passes to Scovell, NU pass interference penalty. Conversion: run tailed. 21-9 Lawrence Phillips 2 run Drive: 86 yards in 8 plays. Highlighted by Prallirx 6.

runa, Ccw Schlesirmr 41. 23 runs. Conversion: Sieler kick. 28-9 Phillips 58 run 49 Drive: 82 yards in 3 plays. Highlighted by Phillips 20 iu Jefl Makovicka 6 run.

Conversion: Sieler kick. FOURTH QUARTER 35-9 Erie Alford 35 pass om Frazier Drive: 69 lyards in 8 plays. Highkghted by Childs 5. 9 runs, Frailer 13 run. Conversion: Sieler kick.

35-18 Ben Kaufman tumble recovery In end zone 124 Drive: 27 yards in 7 plays. Kaufman recovery comes after Darden 12 term. Die, fumble at goal few. Set up by Bart Thomas rterceptim of Brook Berrinoer pass. Highlighted by Darden 6 pass Stacy MrtcheH, Darden 2 run on fourth-and-1 Conversion: Davis kick.

42-16 Ckfnon ChUdt 30 run 90 Drive: 81 yards in 10 plays. Highlighted by Damon Berining 14 run, Makovicka 11 run. Brook Bemnger 15 run. Conversion: Sieler kick. Despite having to work hard for yardage, NU runners have career-best games.

By Curt McKeever of The Lincoln Star LUBBOCK, Texas About the only way Nebraska's running game came up short against Texas Tech Thursday night was making the school's top 10 list for yards gained. The Cornhuskers, facing a defense that Coach Tom Osborne credited with "making a lot of plays," still rushed for 524 yards and at times looked unstoppable. "There's been some games where we've had more (yards), but this was pretty good," said sophomore I-back Lawrence Phillips, who pounded out a career-best 175 yards on 19 carries in the first three quarters. "We had a good running game today, but it wasnt easy to get out around them and make that long run." WHILE I-BACKS Damon Benning and Clinton Childs combined for 104 more yards, and quarterback Tommie Frazier added 84, fullback Cory Schlesinger wasn't left in their shadows. The senior from Duncan finished with a career-best 84 yards on just 6 carries.

"We've got a combination of things that's pretty tough to stop," said assistant head coach Frank Solich, who is also NU's running backs coach. "But we've got to get better." Still Solich had a look of satisfaction, especially when asked about what he thought of how Phillips Individual Statistics career-long 41-yarder up the middle. Three plays later, he rambled 24 yards on a run he broke outside and took to the Red Raider 2-yard line to set up Phillips' first touchdown "The linebackers were starting to follow them (Frazier and the I-backs) more than me," Schlesinger said. "That's what the fullback's job is just sneak on by "I thought he ran some traps where he showed some movement and broke it to the outside and showed some speed," Solich said, smiling. "We got big plays, and that's what it amounted to," he said.

"But overall, it's got to improve. We're not just going to be able to (run) the ball up and down the field against everyone." played. "Without question, he had a great game," Solich said. "I think he was down a little bit after the first game. I wasn't.

(But) after the spring, he was expecting some special things to happen." Thursday's game fit that category. "I guess I had a lot of opportunities to take advantage of," Phillips said. SCHLESINGER DID the most with his chances, particularly in the second half. Texas Tech opened the half by driving 80 yards for a touchdown to pull to 14-9. But Nebraska responded with an 82-yard drive to regain command.

Schlesinger accounted for 65 of those yards on just two carries. His first, on the fourth play, was a Nebraska Offense Rushing No. Yds. 19 175 13 84 6 84 1Q 59 Lawrence Tommie Frazier Cory Schlesinger Onion Chads Damon Bnan Jeff Makovicka Brook Bemnger. 7 45 2 37 5 25 1 15 Passing No.

Co. Yds ..15 5 88 2 0 0 Receiving Tommie Frazier Brook Bemnger NU Ave. 92 65 140 59 64 185 50 15.0 PI 0 1 Yds. 41 35 14 Ave. 0 Yds.

90 11 Yds. Yds. 35 Ave. 103 3.1 23 70 06 10 00 PI 0 1 0 Yds. 74 24 31 15 3 Ave.

41.4 Yds. 24 Yds. 7 0 Yds. 4 Texas Tech Offense Rushing Na Yds. Zebbie Lethridge 6 62 Alton Cram 15 46 Byron Hanspard 12 27 Hobbs 1 7 Tony Garden 7 4 Todd 1 1 Ben Kaufman 0 0 Passing No.

Co. Yds Tony Darden 10 3 64 Zebb Letrndge ..14 5 46 SoneCavazoa 5 3 40 Recsfving NO, Field Scovel 4 Stacy Mitchel 3 Matt Dubue 2 Jayson Lavender i ScottAytor 1 Punting NO. Yds. Brad 8 331 Kickoff returns No. MattDubuc 1 Punt returns No Matt Dubue i Dane Johnson Interception returns No.

Bart Thomas 1 Defense Tacklw UT AT Zach Thomas. 7 7 Bart Thomas 7 Shawn Rank 4 8 Marcus Coleman 6 3 Robert Johnaon On On 7 0 Byron VVngnt Cat Adams 4 0 Jabber Thomas 1 3 Wam "liner 2 2 Foster Shawn Hurd 0 Pvan Donahue 1 Tony Denials 3 0 Coray ChanfSar Verone McKniey 2 0 J.m'ty ftWIM ft Dana Johnaon 0 1 fianrpa P.iTay Cody McQure 1 Damon ware 1 0 WMr 0 Zettm L-mnrma Scon Fftroerajd 1 BranS-. TT No. Lawrence 3 Ex Alford ,1 Reggie 1 Punting No. Yds.

Darin 3 141 Kirol1iums No. DflrDon Dooninfl.H,M,.tM.MIt(M 3 1 Punt returns No. Kareem 3 Interception returns Tony veland 1 Defense Tacklw UT AT Dwsyne 2 Tyrone Wifcams 7 0 Kareem Moss. 7 Donu Jones 5 1 Pi 2 2 Luther Herttn 3 1 Berion MHes 3 0 Ed Stewart 3 0 DougCotmen 2 1 Lewe Oems 2 0 Tony Veland 0 2 Enc Stones 2 0 Ryan 2 0 Jared Tench 2 0 Grant Wwfrom 1 1 Troyrjumas 1 0 Damn Senmadeke 1 0 Cm Brown i 1 0 Chnsuan Peter 1 Jw tymA 0 JonVeoVal 1 0 aAM 41 jnon fvsjr Abdul Muhammad 1 Jon Heeae 1 Aaron Peniend 0 1 14 10 10 From Page 1 5 Cornhuskers sharpness from its season opener. "We need to throw better 'and maybe the time off had something to do with that," Osborne said.

Nebraska completed of 17 passes, with a touchdown and an interception, for 88 yards. "We got sacked a couple of times, missed a couple of passes, dropped a couple of passes and then missed two field goals. 1 don't know how to size this up. Texas Tech plays Oklahoma next week and we play UCLA. WeU get a better read of things then.

"People got awfully excited awfully fast after the Kickoff Classic. WeVe got a long way to go and have a lot to prove." NU defensive coordinator Charlie McBrkte echoed those sentiments. "At times that looks discouraging because we overran some guys and didn't contain some others," McBride said. "We got pressure on the quarterback and made him run. That was a problem for awhile.

We adjusted and well learn. "We arent there yet" A 35-yard interception return by NU safety Tony Veland ended with Erstad's missed 43-yard field goal. Nebraska's seven-play drive to the Texas Tech 35 ended at the 45. "I think we were tired. I was tired at halftime," said Frazier.

"I went into the locker room at halftime and I said we'd explode. We couldnt get by without scoring like we did in the second quarter. The defense cant play the whole game alone." Then, when Texas Tech opened the third quarter with a touchdown, the Nebraska offense was even more determined, Zatechka said. "We did good things in the first half, like the 98-yard drive in the second quarter," he said. "But we were frustrated and then they scored.

We had to get something going and those back-to-back touchdowns were just the thing. That's why you can see we have potential to be No. 1, but there are little things to iron out before we can claim that rating," be said. Osborne said that a 12-day layoff may have taken the edge off the. plays were there because Texas Tech was looking for the option plays that worked for us in the first half," said NU left tackle Rob Zatechka.

"When they got their linebackers flowing like that, the holes opened up and it just froze their linebackers." Nebraska's offense opened up all kinds of opportunities. Cornhusker quarterback Tommie Frazier, who struggled through a 5-for-lS passing night, broke a string of seven consecutive incomplete passes and hit tight end Eric Alford on a 35-yard scoring toss with 10:56 left in the game. NU I-back Clinton Childs finished the scoring with a 30-yard option run around right end on fourth-and-3 with two minutes left "That's traditional Nebraska football," said Frazier, who ran for 84 yards and passed for 88 more. The. passing game was shaky at times and I was rushing some things.

The offense was shaky at times, but it improved as the game went on. "It just took awhile to get going." Frazier seemed to pick the Corn-buskers up where they left off after a 31-0 victory against West Virginia in the Kickoff Classic 12 days ago. He scored on a 58 yard option run around right end, outracing Red Raider cornerback Shawn Hurd and safety Bart Thomas to the end zone with the game two minutes old. The Cornhuskers were stopped on fourth-and-1 at the Tech 46 on their next possession. After an exchange of punts, the NU defense held again and the Red Raiders were forced to give up the baH Brad Cade's punt was downed at the NU 2.

Fifteen plays and 98 yards later, Frazier scored on a 3-yard option run around left end. But the Cornhuskers gave up their first points of the year when Jon Davis hit a 49-yard field goal after quarterback Tony Darden hit Field Scovell on a 43-yard bomb. Television replays showed that Scovell did not catch the ball The Cornhuskers threatened the next three times they had the ball but came op empty. A 58-yard kickoff return by Damon Benning ended up with a missed 42-yard field goal by Darin Erstad..