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Sunday, August 16, 1998
Texas Tech seeks success despite NCAA sanctions
By CHRIS NEWTON
Associated Press
LUBBOCK -- When Texas Tech tailback Ricky Williams takes on
defenses this year, he'll know that much more than the outcome
of one game is on the line.
Williams is among many Red Raiders who believe this season
will be critical to the future of their program because of recent
self-imposed penalties and NCAA sanctions caused by the school's
rampant rule-breaking.
Scholarship limits will make it difficult enough for Tech to
continue trying to lure top-flight players. A poor 1998 season
on top of that may turn away even more potential recruits, setting
the program back even further.
"We feel like we need to go out there and show that there
is a reason to come and play at Tech," Williams said. "That
is on our minds and we're ready for the challenge. We're just
anxious to get out there and do our best and prove that we are
a team that is going some place."
The schedule sets up in Tech's favor. The Red Raiders open
with Texas-El Paso at home, North Texas in Texas Stadium, Fresno
State at home and then open conference play with Iowa State and
Baylor. Nebraska and Kansas State are finally off the schedule
after two seasons.
"We haven't changed any philosophy," coach Spike
Dykes said. "We're still going out there and trying to put
together a solid running, passing game and defensive game. We
just need to execute. Last year there were times when we were
right where we wanted to be and just couldn't close things out.
We need some consistency."
Dykes is right.
In a three-month span last season, the Red Raiders lost badly
to two underdogs and beat two ranked teams -- No. 15 Texas A&M
and No. 25 Oklahoma State.
In Dykes' own words his team "lost to squads we should
have beaten and won games we had little business winning."
They finished the season 6-5, blowing a chance to win the Big
12 South title by losing to Oklahoma in the finale. Although eligible
for a fifth straight bowl, school officials withdrew from consideration
as part of their self-imposed penalties.
If Tech is successful this year, it will probably be on the
efforts of some of its youngest players.
Last year, Williams helped fill the gaping hole left by the
defection of Byron Hanspard to the NFL by running for a freshman-record
894 yards. Dykes said it will be essential for Williams to continue
to contribute big numbers.
"We are looking to Williams for a lot of leadership and
we are confident in his abilities to deliver that," Dykes
said.
Dykes is also hoping that two freshman quarterbacks, Shannon
Bennett and Kliff Kingsbury, can provide support for starting
junior quarterback Rob Peters.
"We need some of those players to really come out and
be able to play," Dykes said. "With fewer scholarships
we don't have room for people who are not going to develop."
Tech signed 15 players for the upcoming season. The Raiders
originally had 22 scholarships but the school limited itself to
17 as a response to the NCAA inquiry into its athletic program.
One of the brightest spots of last season was Tech's defense,
which held opponents to 19.7 points per game and 322 yards per
game.
Defensive coordinator John Goodner said his six returning starters
and a few freshmen should be able to maintain that success.
"The point is that the cupboard is certainly not bare,"
Goodner said. "We lost some really great players that made
a tremendous impact on our program. But I am really pleased with
our talent and depth heading into the season."
Tech is also hoping to avoid the spat of injuries that crippled
the team for several games last season.
Tailback Clint Robertson, receivers Donnie Hart and Derek Dorris
and kicker Jaret Greaser were among those crowding the training
room with various ailments. Robertson, a projected starter, never
returned from a spring knee injury.
"We had too many of us on the sidelines for too long,"
Hart said. "We know that when we're on all cylinders we can
play great football. We just hope that things go our way a little
bit more this year."
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