■he Battalion
Sports
Page 7A • Tuesday, November 24, 1998
UTs Ricky Williams is glad
Tony
Dorsett will be there
when -
- not if —
- he sets
the
NCAA rushing record
BY JEFF WEBB
The Battalion
A USTIN — When University of Texas
senior running back Ricky Williams
went to see a movie Friday night, he
waded through throngs of high-school
teens clamoring for his autograph.
In fact, Williams can rarely venture into
the city of Austin without being recognized.
“People are a lot nicer to me now that
I’m doing well,” he said.
Williams is doing so well, he needs only
63 yards to surpass former University of
Pittsburgh running back Tony Dorsett for
the NCAA-career rushing record.
But it is not just the citizens of Austin
who are stricken with dread-lock fever.
His Longhorn teammates also seem -to
be smitten with the thought of making his
tory against Texas A&M Friday.
“They [the offensive line] are fully
aware of every yard,” Texas coach Mack
Brown said. “Every time Ricky has a run
called back for a penalty, they are aware
of it. There’s no question these young
guys are obsessed.”
Football obsession is something many
thought was impossible after last year’s 4-
7 campaign that ended the Texas coaching
tenure of John Mackovic.
However, Williams has provided a goal
for the Longhorns this season, something
the team will strive for now that the Big 12
Championship game is out of reach.
Now, Williams has Dorsett’s record in
his sights with A&M’s 14th-ranked rushing
defense visiting at the end of the week.
Dorsett will be on hand Friday to see
Williams’ performance against the Aggies.
“It’s great that he’s going to be there to
watch me break the record. ”
Notice Williams said “break the
record.” With A&M’s “Wrecking Crew”
defense, Williams should worry about
getting his 63 yards. Right?
“Should l? I don’t doubt myself,” he
said. “To me, it’s not that big of a deal. But
I don’t think we’re going to be that close if
I only have 60 yards.”
Williams’ career has been a remark
able one.
He has the NCAA record for points in
a career with 446.
He is 262 yards behind former Navy
running back Napolean McCallum for the
career all-purpose yards record.
He has 71 rushing touchdowns, the
NCAA career record. The Heisman favorite
also has a truckload of memories.
“The high points? Beating A&M my
sophomore year,” he said. “Beating Ne
braska. There weren’t any last year. But
this year, I’m proud of how we’ve come to
gether as a team. ”
The team, which so many forget is 7-
3 this season with a bowl bid all but guar
anteed. Now, the whole team is pulling
for Williams to work his magic one more
time Friday, especially freshman quarter
back Major Applewhite.
“The quarterback’s best friend is the
running game,” Applewhite said. “I real
ly walked into a great situation here with
him at running back. I’m just happy I’m
here with Ricky.”
Williams’ gift to his offensive lineman
for a job well-done is autographed copies
of the recent Sports Illustrated with his
likeness on the cover.
He said he will not autograph copies
for anyone else to make them special to
the players.
However, it is hard to believe anything
could make the season any less special
for the Longhorns’ faithful.
Williams will play his last home game
in front of a raucous orange-and-white-
clad crowd bent on watching history.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “Fm
glad I came to this university. I just think
there are so many more things I could
have done better.”
But not too many. After all, anyone
who walks down the street fearing dis
covery behind every turn has to have
done something right.
Like maybe restoring hope in a football
program.
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