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Tuesday, September 23, 1997

Texas trying to recover from whipping by UCLA

By CHIP BROWN AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN (AP) - Texas center Ryan Fiebiger was looking for a couple hours of mindless relaxation this weekend when he accompanied his girlfriend to the flag football game of two small children she was babysitting.

But before Fiebiger could even get comfortable in the bleachers, he overheard two people behind him complaining bitterly about how badly Texas played in its now-infamous 66-3 loss to UCLA.

Needless to say his relaxing afternoon was anything but.

"I didn't say anything, but I've about heard enough," Fiebiger said. "I've heard about it from friends, strangers, even my family. A lot of people are still upset about that loss. I hope we can get a couple wins and the fans will forget about that."

For Texas (1-1), which was ranked 11th at the time of "Rout 66" and suffered the most lopsided loss by a ranked team since The Associated Press poll began in 1936, the chance for recovery begins Saturday at Rice (2-1).

The Owls, coming off a 40-34 victory over Northwestern, beat Texas the last time the two met in Houston in 1994. The 19-17 victory was the Owls' first over Texas in 29 years.

"If we lose to Rice, a lot of people are going to write us off for the rest of the season," said offensive tackle Jay Humphrey. "We have something to prove. We have to show that we still have a good football team."

Texas coach John Mackovic said Rice will be brimming with confidence after its win over Northwestern and likely will be looking to send a message to Texas, which bolted the Southwest Conference for the Big 12. Rice, Texas Christian and Southern Methodist then were forced to find a new home, landing in the Western Athletic Conference. Houston joined Conference USA.

"This is Rice's chance to shock the nation," Mackovic said. "We are talking about WAC power. I think the WAC teams have something to prove. They were disappointed about not getting into the Big 12.

"We are not going against Rice. We are going against the entire WAC."

Asked if the Longhorns would come out hungry and desperate, the way UCLA did against Texas, Mackovic said, "I hope we're hungry. We better be. We don't have a choice."

Mackovic said James Brown is recovering from his ankle injury and expected to start at quarterback Saturday.

Brown said he is eager to play after sitting out the UCLA game. Brown said he had asked Mackovic for the chance to play in that game and thinks he could have made a difference.

"I don't know if we would have won, but just judging from the past, we would have scored some points," Brown said. "I would have found some way into the end zone."

Brown said he's not 100 percent, but added that nothing will keep him on the bench this week. "If I can't run, I'll just limp as fast as I can," he said.

The Longhorns defense, which has yet to prove it can stop anybody, must contend with a Rice offense that has averaged 347.7 yards per game on the ground and 407.7 total yards.

"I don't think anyone should expect us to shut down the triple option offense," Mackovic said. "They are going to get some yards. We have to get them into long yardage situations and get them out of their plan."Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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