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Thursday, April 17, 1997

Senior quarterback Lethridge ready to take reins

By MARK BABINECK

Associated Press

LUBBOCK - For the first time in his collegiate career, Zebbie Lethridge will enter next season as "the man."

With no 2,000-yard rusher behind him, few war-tested hosses up front and a questionable receiving corps to the sides, he'll carry the load of a rebuilt offense.

"Zebbie's got to come out of the gate firing," said offensive coordinator Rick Dykes, who lost junior tailback Byron Hanspard to the NFL last December. "He's going to have to be very consistent for us throughout the year, and that's one thing he improved on this spring."

Lethridge, entering his senior season, drew coaching raves for his springtime performances against his own defense, which is expected to be the Red Raiders' trademark.

Sophomore tailback Clint Robertson also wowed the staff until the last full-contact intrasquad scrimmage, when reserve linebacker Mike Autenreith's tackle sent Robertson's right knee buckling in the wrong direction.

"His chances of coming back (this season) are up in the air," Lethridge said, noting that Robertson probably will be out four to eight months. "It's up to his determination and how hard he's willing to work."

Robertson returned kicks as a redshirt freshman last season. His injury leaves Lethridge, already a three-year starter, as the only backfield player who's performed at least one full season.

Last season's 7-5 Alamo Bowl team featured senior reserves at all three backfield positions. With virtually no depth, Tech can't withstand many more freak injuries if it plans on a fifth straight postseason game.

Untested Anthony Malbrough and James Easterling will compete for Robertson's job this summer. Coaches are excited about incoming freshman Dominic Rhodes of Abilene Cooper, but he's no guarantee to qualify academically.

Another option might be to move talented but smallish fullback Sammy Morris into Hanspard's old slot.

"But then we have a problem at fullback," Dykes said. "We really don't have a proven player behind (Morris)."

The spotty receiver play that helped hinder Lethridge's early season play in '96 can't happen again this year, Dykes said. Even so, he added that it's still going to be up to Lethridge when the going gets tough.

"We're going to have to count on Zebbie to step up and take more responsibility for our offense and hope one of those guys behind Clint will step up and become good players next fall," Dykes said.

As for Lethridge, a team captain for an unprecedented third season, he says he's ready.

"I've been elected by my teammates, so the leadership role is on my shoulders," he said. "But this is something I'm used to."Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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