Conference Call

Sporting News, The, Sept 11, 2000

THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT: Players back from injury

Heisman Trophy candidate one day, blocking back a year later.

That's not necessarily the way Ricky Williams (not that Ricky Williams) envisioned his return at Texas Tech. Then again, this isn't Spike Dykes' crawl ball offense, either.

"It's just a matter of being patient with the offense," Williams says.

Williams is one of several 1998 stars who missed the '99 season because of injury. Many have returned to find things on the field aren't what they were when they last saw them.

Tech hired Mike Leach, former passing game whiz at Oklahoma and Kentucky, to find a way to the top of the Big 12's South Division. Leach believes that way is through the air.

That's not to say Williams, who rushed for 1,582 yards in '98, won't be a factor. He will--just not in the same way he was when he carried Tech to an Independence Bowl berth in '98.

Williams might have blocked more in Tech's opener than he had in his previous 22 games. In his first two games, he has run for 137 yards--total.

Making a comeback

ACC: QB Ronald Curry, North Carolina.

Big East: RB Najeh Davenport, Miami.

Big Ten: SS Bobby Jackson, Illinois.

Big 12: RB Ricky Williams, Texas Tech.

C-USA: DT Derrick Kennedy, Louisville.

Mountain West: LB C.J. Zanotti, Air Force.

Pac-10: WR Brian Poli-Dixon, UCLA.

SEC: WR Grant Heard, Mississippi.

WAC: QB Corey Evans, Rice.