If this contest was a boxing match, North Texas was the quintessential counter puncher. Rather than take unnecessary risks to dominate early, they patiently waited for FAU to make a mistake. Once the Owls showed their chins, the Mean Green would decisively respond with an uppercut that would, like Little Mac in Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out, send them to the mat. All of UNT’s touchdowns came off turnovers.
The weather was a real factor in this one, tactically and strategically. Both teams played a 10 yard game in the first half filled with dumpoff passes and handoffs. Once FAU got behind, they were forced to throw into a swirling wind, and the inaccuracy that followed keyed North Texas on three key interceptions.
Offensively, North Texas struggled early by not taking any shots deep in the first half when they had the wind. FAU’s defense never had to respect the deep pass, and so all the coverage was able to play down close to the line of scrimmage. One would expect this would have something to do not wanting to throw into the teeth of a gusty 20 mile per hour wind, but there were no passes longer than 20 yards even with the wind. My best guess is that they were trying to play it safe and keep the QB upright.
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