| | LUBBOCK, Texas -- It could be argued that Texas Tech's star
back runs in one of the biggest shadows in college football
history.
| |  | | Texas Tech's Ricky Williams could be the Big 12's best back. |
He was the nation's fourth-best rusher last year with an average
of 143 yards a game, usually plenty to distinguish a running back _
unless he happens to play in the same conference with a Heisman
Trophy winner who is the most prolific Division I running back
ever.
And, worse yet, who happens to have the same name.
"I was probably asked about Texas' Ricky Williams at least once
per interview," Tech's Ricky Williams said. "And I know that some
people still think I'm the guy with the dreadlocks."
He acknowledges the questions and comparisons have rankled him.
"I want to make the other Ricky have to share his name with
me," he said. "It would be nice for him to be mistaken for me
someday."
Now that his nemesis is in the NFL, there should be no more
confusion. The Other Ricky Williams is poised to become the top
back in Texas, and possibly the nation. He's even on track to
challenge the rushing record Williams set last year.
Entering his junior season, Tech's Williams has 2,476 yards, 214
yards ahead of the Longhorns star at the same point in his career
but a long, long way from the record 6,279 career yards. The Red
Raider must average 173 yards per game over his final two regular
seasons to get there.
Talk of records doesn't seem to interest the Tech star.
"I'll let other people have high expectations about my career,
but my expectation is to play my very best game every game," he
said. "The rest should fall into place."
Tech coach Spike Dykes said this is a key year for his back.
"The jury is still out on our Ricky Williams," Dykes said.
"If you look at the legendary backs that have come out of Texas,
his start is comparable to many of theirs and even more impressive
than some. But it is just a start.
"He is a junior and these are the years when his legacy will be
made or broken."
More than fame and Williams' Heisman hopes are on the line.
Texas Tech's success this season depends on his ability to emerge
in his own right.
"He will have to step up and play big if we're going to get off
the ground," Dykes said.
But, as quarterback Rob Peters said, "The great ones all have a
supporting cast."
"We have to do our part to make Ricky successful," Peters
said. "The offensive line has to come through."
Williams has spent the off-season working to live up to the
expectations.
He put on 15 pounds -- he is now listed at 5-9 and 190 -- and took
on a weightlifting and back-to-basics training regimen that
included running hills while lashed to a car tire.
"I've really tried to work on my power," he said. "This year,
I want to be able to run in such a way that even when the other
team knows what is going to happen they are unable to stop me."
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