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Saturday, September 20, 1997

Underdog North Texas brings back sour memories for Texas Tech

By MARK BABINECK / Associated Press Writer

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Spike Dykes' recollection of his Texas Tech Red Raiders' last encounter with a lightly regarded North Texas team sounded more like a spaghetti Western than a football memory.

"It was a bad day at Black Rock," Dykes said, referring to a 29-24 upset in Tech's 1988 home opener. Dykes was a little foggy on the details, but not the disappointment.

"I don't know how bad they beat us, but it was bad. It was worse than the score was, whatever it was. It was the most ill-prepared team I've had since I've been coaching."

Just like then, Tech again is a big favorite to dispatch the Eagles on Saturday. Fortunately for the Raiders (1-1), they already have survived a visit from a decided underdog in last week's 59-14 victory over Southwestern Louisiana.

North Texas coach Matt Simon didn't need to see the USL game film to be impressed, he said. He saw enough in Tech's opener against Tennessee, despite the fact it was a 52-17 loss.

"We actually felt like Tech had a chance to play well in the Tennessee game, and it's very clear to us they had some unfortunate things happen to them," Simon said. "We know Tech is usually headed for a bowl every year."

Unlike the Raiders, who have made four straight bowl appearances, North Texas is still adjusting as a Division I-A newcomer. After starting 0-2, the Eagles picked apart Division I-AA Indiana State last week for a 41-6 victory.

The Eagles feature a power-speed tailback combination of Hut Allred and Ja'Quay Wilburn, a swift freshman making a West Texas homecoming of sorts one year after completing a 4,046-yard rushing career at Odessa Permian.

"Going into the Tech game, we need to sustain some credibility with that combination," Simon said.

Even though Tech senior tailback Adrian Ervin returns after the NCAA granted him one more year of eligibility, true freshman Ricky Williams made quite a splash with his 88-yard game against USL.

For many of his teammates, Williams' downfield block during a long run by fullback Jonathan Hawkins was as noteworthy as anything he did with the ball.

"Ricky has impressed me since he's been here," said quarterback Zebbie Lethridge. "He's one of the hardest working guys here. You could see that with that block 50 yards down the field."

Williams is one of many freshmen upon whom Dykes and the upperclassmen will rely when the Raiders dive into eight straight Big 12 games, starting next month.

"I think the area that has exceeded my expectations has been the young players," Dykes said. "Ricky Williams, (defensive end) Devin Lemons, (receiver) Derek Dorris, (cornerback) John Norman and (cornerback) Anthony Terrell have all had good plays."

Lemons, who's played bigger than his 202 pounds so far, said the youngsters have had to adjust quickly to big-time college football.

"We might be a class of freshmen, but no one out on the field considers you a freshman," Lemons said. "You're just another football player when you're out there."

Simon regards Tech's veteran defensive front as among the best in college football, which doesn't bode well for a team that scored just 19 points in its first two games.

"The way they can interchange people and talent at the linebacker position is so impressive," Simon said. "It creates a new challenge for our people and running backs."