LJWorld.com / Huskers leave past behind

Archive for Saturday, October 11, 2008

By Betsy Blaney - Associated Press Writer

October 11, 2008

Lubbock, Texas — Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz remembers where he was the last time the Huskers went to Texas Tech and endured the worst drubbing in school history.

He was a redshirt visiting friends at another university, and watched on TV in disbelief as six Nebraska turnovers in the second half fueled Tech's 70-10 victory four years ago.

Now Ganz is in position to do something to soften that memory when the Huskers take on seventh-ranked Texas Tech at 2 p.m. today.

"Obviously it hurt," Ganz said. "They were embarrassed as a program. That is long behind us, so we don't think about that."

The latest version of Texas Tech's offense is a worthy distraction.

As usual, the Red Raiders (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) lead the nation in passing offense at 439 yards per game behind quarterback Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, one of the best receivers in the country. But improvements in the running game and on defense have Texas Tech in position to back up the school's highest ranking in 32 years.

The Cornhuskers (3-2, 0-1) are facing a potent passing attack for the second straight week in their first road game of the season. Chase Daniel and No. 3 Missouri beat the Huskers 52-17, their most lopsided home loss in 53 years and fifth-worst in Lincoln in the program's 119-year history. Daniel was 18-of-23 for three TDs and 253 yards.

Nebraska is winless in 10 straight games against top-10 opponents, but Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said the loss to Missouri was deceiving.

"It was close for a half and (the Cornhuskers) gave up some big plays and got frustrated," Leach said. "You take out some of those big plays and it was a close game."