Texas Tech mascot dies during game

NOTEBOOK

Texas Tech's mascot, a black quarterhorse named Double T, died Saturday during the game with New Mexico when it threw its rider, ran across the playing field and slid headfirst into a concrete wall.

The incident happened in the third quarter after Tech scored. Rider Amy Smart, a senior animal science major from Dallas, was guiding the horse on its customary trot around the field when her saddle broke and she fell off. When the galloping horse reached an exit tunnel, its feet flew out and its head hit the wall. University veterinarian Mark Hellman said the horse apparently died instantly.

Hey, that's not my baton: University of Texas band director Glenn Richter was arrested Friday and charged with carrying a gun at Robert Mueller Municipal Airport in Austin while trying to catch a flight to Pittsburgh for the Longhorns' game against Pitt. Richter, who said he didn't know the gun was in the bag, was released on a personal recognizance bond.

Banned, but not gagged: Banned Texas A&M football booster Warren Gilbert Jr., who landed A&M in NCAA trouble by paying nine football players for work they didn't do between 1990 and 1992, said school officials urged him to stonewall the NCAA's investigation into a summer jobs scandal that concluded he improperly paid players, according to a published report.

Gilbert told the Dallas Morning News in a copyright story in today's editions that A&M coach R.C. Slocum, former vice president Robert Smith and others convinced him not to meet with investigators. The Dallas businessman said university officials singled him out to save the football program from sanctions.

New AD: Sunburst Bank president James T. "Pete" Boone was named the University of Mississippi's athletic director, chosen over two Ole Miss graduates in athletic administration.

Quake wake: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was used for the first time since the stadium was badly damaged by the January earthquake. Fans at Southern Cal's game against Washington found only a few construction trailers and a temporary press box on the grounds as evidence of the $60-million repair job.

QUOTEBOOK

Horse opera, part II: "I really don't know what happened. When I rounded the corner and was in the process of slowing, I felt myself sliding off the horse. I hit the ground and then stood up and saw the horse running around the stadium. I got to the tunnel area and saw Double T lying there and couldn't believe it," Smart said.

New team, old quote: "I found out one thing," coach Joe Walton said after Robert Morris' inaugural game. "These kids love to play."

My fault: "It's just a dumb error on my part," Richter said. "It was quite depressing and humiliating for me."

What are we doing here?: "Basically we got the slop beat out of us," Georgia Southern coach Tim Stowers said after a 56-0 loss to Miami. "I'll be happy to get back to I-AA football."

INJURY REPORT

Horse opera, part III: Double T was removed from Jones Stadium within minutes and was taken to a campus facility for further examination. Smart was not seriously injured.

Wheatley watch: Heisman Trophy candidate Tyrone Wheatley watched from the sideline with his separated right shoulder in a sling as Michigan beat Boston College.

Medical miracle: Miami end Rusty Medearis, playing for the first time since a knee injury nearly ended his career two years ago, played most of the first half and made one tackle against Georgia Southern.

Tulsa time: Quarterback Troy DeGar is out for the season after tearing a ligament in his right knee against Missouri. Running back Kenny Gunn, broke his right ankle in the first quarter.

RECORD BOOK

Horse opera, part IV: Double T was in its second year as Texas Tech's mascot.

Coaching debuts: Boston College led No. 5 Michigan 12-0 in Dan Henning's debut as a college coach before the Wolverines rallied to win 34-26. Nicholls State's 16-7 win at Connecticut spoiled the head-coaching debut of UConn's Skip Holtz, son of Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz. Walton, a former head coach for the New York Jets and offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, won his and Robert Morris' first game, 24-19 over Waynesburg (Pa.). Kent's 28-6 loss to Rutgers spoiled the debut of Jim Corrigall and extended the Golden Flashes' losing streak to 17 games, longest among the nation's 107 Division I-A schools.

Winners and losers: Auburn extended Division I-A's longest win streak to 12 games. Division I-AA Howard has won 14 straight. Texas won only its second opener in eight years. Pitt lost its 10th consecutive home game but its first opener in eight years. Michigan is 95-17-3 in openers. North Carolina won its sixth straight opener.

Put up your Dukes, part I: James Madison's 35-0 win over Buffalo was the Dukes' first shutout since a 21-0 win over Northeastern on Oct.

6, 1990.

STAT & STREAKS

Horse opera, part V: Texas Tech has had a black horse and a masked rider as a mascot since the Gator Bowl game on Jan. 1, 1954. Many former riders were at the game for a reunion.

56-0 for 58-0: No. 6 Miami routed Georgia Southern to break an NCAA record with its 58th consecutive victory at the Orange Bowl. The Hurricanes surpassed Alabama's 57 wins in a row at home from 1962-82.

Pitt stop: Curtis Martin had 11 carries of 10 or more yards while rushing for 251 yards _ the most by an opposing back since Texas started football in 1893.

Golden boys: Darin Hinshaw passed for 245 yards against Maine to break Central Florida's all-time career passing record. He has 6,766 yards. David Rhodes became the Golden Knights' all-time leading receiver with 2,868 yards.

Put up your Dukes: Robert Baldwin set a Duke rushing record with 238 yards against Maryland.

_ TIMES WIRES