Football Stomps North Texas
June 21, 1999 | Football
Sept. 12, 1998
IRVING, Texas (AP) - The Big 12's "other" Ricky Williams, the nation's leading rusher heading into this weekend, ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns as Texas Tech avenged last year's loss to North Texas with a 30-0 victory Saturday night.
Williams, a sophomore playing in the shadow of Texas' Ricky Williams, scored on a 4-yard run in the first quarter and a 5-yarder midway through the third quarter that put the Red Raiders (2-0) ahead 27-0.
Williams missed a few plays during that drive because of cramps, then rested for more than a quarter during a humid night at Texas Stadium. He returned for one fourth-quarter drive, gaining another 41 yards on four carries.
Tech settled the score for its 30-27 loss to UNT in Lubbock last year by posting its first shutout since a 34-0 victory over Houston in 1994.
The Red Raiders were impressive on both sides of the ball, gaining 531 yards and 30 first downs, while holding the Eagles (0-2) to 125 yards and five first downs.
Tech struck early, recovering a Tubby Coleman fumble on UNT's third play, then getting a 44-yard touchdown pass from Matt Tittle to Donnie Hart on the Red Raiders' first snap.
Williams' first touchdown, which he set up by gaining 25 yards on a third-and-8 screen, put Tech up 14-0 with 3:33 left in the first quarter. The Red Raiders made it 20-0 at halftime on second-quarter field goals of 45 yards from Jaret Greaser and 43 yards from Chris Birkholz.
Williams remained on the turf after a 1-yard gain early in the third quarter and had to be treated by trainers. He left for eight plays, then came back in with the Red Raiders facing second-and-13 from their 18.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Williams took a pitch on the right side and showed no signs of pain as he cut to the sidelines and burst ahead with just enough for a first down. He walked into the end zone virtually untouched on the next play with 8:51 to go in the third quarter.
Williams stayed on the sidelines until the final 7:12 of the game. He gained 19 yards on his first carry and had three more before heading back to the bench for good.
The 28 carries by Williams was a light load compared to the career-high 41 he had in last week's 35-3 victory over Texas-El Paso. He also gained a career-best 251 yards and scored two touchdowns against the Miners.
Williams, whose 894 yards last year were a Tech freshman record, has already eclipsed last year's touchdown total of three.