Sunday, September 29, 1996

Hanspard rumbles again in Tech victory
By MARK BABINECK
Associated Press

LUBBOCK - Byron Hanspard scored three touchdowns on 224 yards rushing, his third straight 200-yard game, as Texas Tech beat Utah State 58-20 Saturday night in the Red Raiders' latest home opener since 1931.

Hanspard seemed to dominate Utah State (2-3) all night, though the Red Raiders (2-2) had to wait until after halftime to put away the feisty Aggies for good with 30 straight points.

Despite a sagging offense that prompted Utah State coach John. L. Smith to juggle his quarterbacks, the Aggies managed to trim an 18-point second-quarter deficit to 28-20 early in the third quarter.

A Hanspard fumble set up a quickie 46-yard drive that ended on a 9-yard touchdown dash early in the third quarter by Abu Wilson, who became Utah State's all-time leading rusher with 104 yards on 23 carries.

His 3,590 yards surpass Rick Parros, who gained 3,537 from 1976-79.

Hanspard, the nation's only back averaging 200 yards per game going into Saturday, overshadowed everyone else on the field. While Tech quarterback Zebbie Lethridge broke a season-long slump against the porous Aggies, the offense only came alive when Hanspard was on the field.

Hanspard averaged 10.2 yards on each of his 22 carries. He has run for 200 yards in five of Tech's last six games, and his performance made him the school's No. 3 career rusher.

Hanspard and Sammy Morris each bolted for a 22-yard touchdown run on Tech's opening two possessions, only to see the Aggies claw back to within 14-10 early in the second quarter.

After Tech's third touchdown, Utah State gambled and lost big on a fourth-down fake punt on its own 26. Punter Nathan Morreale ran around the right end and, sensing an imminent tackle, boomed a kick to the Tech 10-yard line.

Unfortunately for the Aggies, Morreale kicked illegally four yards beyond the line of scrimmage. The Red Raiders gained possession at the Aggie 15 and promptly added another touchdown for a 28-13 halftime lead.

Lethridge, who had struggled with a 32 percent completion percentage through three games, finished 14-for-24 for 178 yards and three touchdowns. His first 10 completions were to 10 different receivers.