Double the headache

[Harry]

Double the headache

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

9/15/2005

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Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas join list of master rushers that TU has already faced.

The University of Tulsa has one of its own to blame for Tecumseh tailback Patrick Cobbs going to the University of North Texas in 2001.

That's slightly ironic, because the Golden Hurricane may have to stop Cobbs on Saturday night in Denton if it wants to break into the 2005 win column, after two opening losses.

TU offensive line coach Spencer Leftwich was a North Texas assistant during Cobbs' senior year of high school.

"I looked at a couple of plays and took the tape back to (North Texas) and it was all over," Leftwich said. "It became obvious he was the player we needed to sign."

Now a senior, Cobbs is on the verge of becoming the school's all-time rushing leader. He's also part of the Mean Green's tandem of national rushing leaders, the first in college football history.

Cobbs led the nation in rushing as a junior in 2003. Jamario Thomas did the same thing as a freshman last year, getting his chance when Cobbs sprained his knee and missed all but two games.

Now, they're healthy at the same time. That means double trouble for the Hurricane, which faced top backs in Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson and Minnesota's

Laurence Maroney in the first two games.

"We have certainly played some good tailbacks, but (North Texas has) more depth in their offensive backfield than any team we've played," said TU head coach Steve Kragthorpe.

"It is going to be a real challenge for us because they have a great one-two punch.

"When either of them is in the game, they are able to take the ball and do significant things with it. You cannot relax when one of them is out of the game, because they have another guy (who) is effective."

Cobbs, showing no ill effects of last year's injury, rushed for 103 yards and Thomas added 58 in a 14-7 win at Middle Tennessee State last Saturday.

"Those two backs are just what they're advertised to be," said MTSU head coach Andy McCollum. "You have to stop the run when you play against them. They do a tremendous job."

North Texas head coach Darrell Dickey has built a winning tradition on power running and defense.

The Mean Green have been ranked progressively higher in team rushing each of the past four years while winning the first four Sun Belt Conference titles.

As part of the equation, Dickey has consistently developed capable blockers.

Only two starters return from last year's unit that ranked 23rd nationally in rushing. But the Mean Green has promising newcomers, including Tecumseh redshirt freshman tackle Jeremy Brown.

"We're kind of inconsistent right now," Dickey said. "A lot of these guys haven't played together during the course of a game or a whole season. They have to learn each other and come together."

Cobbs rushed for 1,680 yards and 19 TDs in 2003 when he led the nation with 152.7 yards per game.

He has 2,999 career yards and needs only 122 to become North Texas' all-time leader.

Cobbs started both ways in high school for Bristow head coach Chris McMullen, rushing for 2,354 yards and 32 TDs as a senior.

McMullen couldn't understand why his star tailback wasn't receiving Division I-A offers and phoned a friend at North Texas, defensive coordinator Kenny Evans.

Leftwich was recruiting in Norman, and Evans phoned to tell him to check out the running back in nearby Tecumseh.

"(Leftwich) took one look at the tape and said. 'This kid can play,' " McMullen said.

Notebook: Counting down to North Texas

By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer

9/15/2005

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Coach Steve Kragthorpe ended Wednesday's practice with a fiery speech about looking toward the future and not getting complacent with last weekend's close game at Oklahoma.

Saturday's opponent at North Texas is dangerous. The Mean Green has four straight Sun Belt Conference championships and already have something that TU doesn't this season -- a victory.

"We lost an opportunity to win a football game last week and we have an opportunity to win one this week," Kragthorpe said. "Like I've said before, there are no moral victories. We're playing to win every time we walk on the field and we need to get it done."

North Texas beat host Middle Tennessee 14-7 in its opener.

A big bulls-eye: Tight end Garrett Mills had 13 catches against Oklahoma last weekend. As a team, the Sooners threw a total of 13 passes.

Don't think that North Texas coach Darrell Dickey didn't notice Mills and his 152 receiving yards.

"We hope our linebackers can match up with their tight end," Dickey said during his weekly luncheon. "He is one of those players that has a feel of how to get open.

"The biggest thing we have to do is when we are playing zone is to be good getting to our drops, realize he is going to

catch some passes and be there to make the tackle."

Mills' 13 catches set an Oklahoma Memorial Stadium record for receptions.

Tackling youth: Tulsa will face another freshman quarterback at North Texas.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Daniel Meager started his first game for the Mean Green and completed 10-of-15 passes for 122 yards. His offensive unit had only two three-and-out situations.

Last week, the Hurricane faced OU's Rhett Bomar in his first start. In the Sept. 24 Conference USA opener against Memphis, either freshmen Will Hudgens or Billy Barefield will get the call for the Tigers.

Life on the road: There will be about 50,000 less people attending the TU-UNT football game in Denton.

After playing in front of 83,000 fans in Norman, only a crowd of 30,500 can fit inside Fouts Stadium.

It will be UNT's first home game this season, but TU is battle tested.

"Playing at OU if you can play there, you can play anywhere," tight end Conner Long said.

An early forecast expects temperatures to be in the low 90s in Denton, a Dallas suburb.

Quick snaps: TU and the 11 other C-USA schools will display Hurricane Flag decals on their helmets this season

This is the 20th meeting between the schools, but the first since 1982. Tulsa leads the series 13-6 and has won six straight contests.

My Take: I agree w/ many post on this board, this game w/ N. Tex is critical if TU wants 2 post a winning season & perhaps go bowling. Somehow, someway I feel TU will do it this week.

Go TU