Notebook -- Tech Mascot Dies In Accident

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech's mascot, a black quarterhorse named Double T, died yesterday during a game against New Mexico when he threw his rider, ran across the playing field and slid head-first into a cement wall.

The incident occurred in the third quarter after Tech scored. Rider Amy Smart was guiding the horse on its customary trot around the field when the saddle broke and she fell off.

When the galloping horse reached an exit tunnel, its feet flew out from under it and its head hit the wall. University veterinarian Mark Hellman said the horse apparently died instantly.

Tech has had a black horse and a masked rider as mascot since 1954.

A&M booster levels charges

DALLAS - A banned Texas A&M football booster 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.

Warren Gilbert Jr. told the Dallas Morning News in a copyright story that A&M head coach R.C. Slocum, former vice president Robert Smith and others convinced him not to meet with investigators.

Gilbert said university officials ultimately portrayed him as a lone violator of NCAA rules.

The Dallas businessman, who landed A&M in NCAA trouble by paying nine players for work they didn't do between 1990 and 1992, said university officials singled him out to save the school from sanctions that could have suspended A&M's football program.

Hurricanes set record

MIAMI - Miami beat Georgia Southern for its 58th consecutive win at the Orange Bowl, surpassing the NCAA record for the longest home winning streak, set by Alabama in 1962-82.

"Fifty-eight straight has to be one of the most amazing accomplishments in football," Hurricane Coach Dennis Erickson said.

Miami last lost at home in 1985, 35-23 to Florida.

During the streak, Miami is a combined 12-0 at home against Florida State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Florida.

Notes

-- Florida drew its largest crowd for a home opener in school history, selling 84,721 tickets for the New Mexico State game.

-- Florida State played without seven suspended players, penalized for accepting illegal gifts from agents, in a 41-17 win over Virginia.

"I think the whole team was really excited to get there on the field and get on TV for something other than scandal," quarterback Danny Kanell said.