Tech, Hanspard concentrating on Hawkeyes

By KELLEY SHANNON / Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO - Byron Hanspard's long-term football future should remain a mystery until Monday.

For now, the Texas Tech star running back wants to concentrate only on the short term - facing the No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes a day earlier in the Alamo Bowl.

"Iowa has a very good defense. They have a lot of team speed and have a physical defensive line," Hanspard said Thursday. "We're just going to have to mix up the run and the pass."

The Hawkeyes' defense will be targeting Hanspard, a junior who rushed for 2,084 yards this season and won the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation's best collegiate running back.

Since then, speculation has swirled about whether Hanspard will remain in school for his final season of eligibility. He said he's already made a decision, but he's waiting until Monday morning to announce it.

Iowa defensive back Tom Knight said his team's chances of beating Texas Tech (7-4) hinge on how its handles Hanspard's speed and outside running ability.

"He's difficult to control. He causes a lot of problems in the open field," Knight said.

Iowa (8-3) has had success against great running backs this season. Hanspard will be the eighth of the nation's top 20 runners the Hawkeyes have faced, and all but one - Darnell Autry of Northwestern - were held below their averages.

"We've played against a lot of real good running backs and I guess this one is the ultimate," said Iowa defensive coordinator Bob Elliott. "That's a challenge our guys like to accept."

A licensed Pentecostal minister who blends Bible lessons with his football philosophy, Hanspard said he won't be making any adjustments in his running style to combat Iowa's aggressive defense.

"The Lord has blessed me with the ability to run inside or out," he said. "So there's nothing that will change as far as what I do."

The Hawkeyes also expect some trouble from Red Raiders quarterback Zebbie Lethridge, who has taken advantage of defenses keying on Hanspard to account for more than 2,000 yards of offense.

"I can either drop back and pass or I can also run, so that keeps the defense on their toes at all times," said Lethridge, who ran for 342 yards and threw for 1,686 on 117-of-267 passing.

Lethridge, who had been slowed by a pulled hamstring, said getting some rest this month has helped him feel as good as he did entering the season.

"Having Zebbie full speed just enables us to take our whole package into the game," said Red Raiders offensive coordinator Rick Dykes.

One defensive obstacle Texas Tech anticipates from the Hawkeyes is Damien Robinson, a free safety from Dallas who leads Iowa with six interceptions and 13 pass breakups.

"He has a great knack for distinguishing between run and pass," Dykes said. "He's one of the better players we've faced all year."