Scattershooting while wondering whatever happened to former UNT running back Eteka Huckaby…
Well at times it wasn’t pretty, and at the end I about bit my nails off, but in the final result UNT and new head coach Eric Morris scored a huge and much needed win over La. Tech on the road 40-37. Morris did the thing good coaches do, he switched everything up starting with a new starting quarterback in Chandler Rogers who showed everyone he can turn it up when the lights are on. Rogers threw for 313 yards and 2-TD passes; he also rushed for 35 yards on 9 carries. But beyond the stats, he looked like a leader out there, whether it was laying pancake blocks or giving formation instructions to his receivers. This was the guy we beat out some good teams for in the portal and he showed everyone what he could be when the big game lights come on…
…Other changes of note that made an impact on the win, Febechi Nwaiwu the former offensive lineman walk-on from Coppell who was a freshman all American in several publications last season at guard was moved to tackle by Morris and staff just prior to this season and it wasn’t working. For La. Tech, they moved him back to the inside at guard and put Jett Duncan back out at tackle and they both had great games leading the way for Ayo Adeyi to gain 148-yards on 19 carries and 2 TD’s…
…UNT made similar changes on the defensive side, moving back to a 4-3 set-up and it immediately yielded some good results as end Mazin Richards was all over the field again, with 5 tackles (4 solo) and a sack. Kevin Wood is starting to play like the player we knew prior to his injury, leading the team with 9 tackles and a pass deflection…
…Most importantly, this team fought back and overcame some scalding adversity after the road loss against FIU. As pointed out by the great @jtm0097, “The defense came out in a 4 man front a few times and they didn't give up a first down until the 10 minute mark of the 2nd quarter.” That’s a dramatic improvement especially when you consider it was on the road. And Rogers deep ball was on point forcing the defense to respect our passing game. The only issue on offense was that we did not always perform in the red zone. Defensively, we must get better at tackling. Of course, allowing La. Tech to rattle off 23 points in the 4th quarter after being down 16 starting it was extremely concerning. Luckily, we will have two weeks to work on that with the bye week before Abilene Christian at home…
…Was neat to see UNT Head Coach Eric Morris jump on the GoMeanGreen.com post-game show live with host JD Davis last night, right after the game was over. The enthusiasm and excitement were evident and as a fan it was fun to watch. This UNT AD staff under newly hired Jared Mosely has been pretty good about providing the fans access and this was just another example. Here is hoping that this will continue for many games to come…
…VARIOUS AND SUNDRY – The last time UNT had defeated La. Tech on the road was 2017 and it was close too 24-23. UNT FG Kicker Noah Rauschenberg was a stone-cold killer yesterday, icing the game with a key FG with just seconds left in the 4th quarter, but also had 4, count them 4 total field goals for the game, with one in the 2nd quarter being 48-yards. Punter Sawyer Evans was super solid as well with a 60.5 average in the game. It’s still early in the season yet, but Special Teams Coach Drew Svoboda is doing a really nice job filling in some big shoes and stabilizing this key position. UNT may need to roll out the NIL wagon quickly for transfer WR Ja’Mori Maclin, as this speedy young sophomore is starting to turn some heads across the country with his hands and ability to get open. Also having NFL bloodlines doesn’t hurt with his brother Jeremy being a 2x consensus All American at Missouri, and 1st round pick with the Philadelphia Eagles.
GMG Game Photo Credits to the great Miles Meador 
Enjoy the bye week and see you in a couple! And as Always, Go Mean Green!
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