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I promised myself not to post on here as long as I knew players in uniform. I recently graduated in May, and in my previous 3 years at UNT I spend a majority of my time working as a tutor for the athletic department. I am proud to say I had the pleasure of working with many of the young men and women we cheer on every day. I got to know many of the players personally, and I gladly to say I support the Mean Green. I’ve always loved reading post on the website; I loved to hear the common excitement for a new season, new coach, and new stadium. I used to have the pleasure of driving by the stadium almost every day as I went to work at a job I loved. However recently, I’ve started graduate school in San Antonio and I have yet to see the stadium and the team in person since. Still that hasn’t veered my support for my alma mater. Even during tough times and losses I still support my school; players, coaches, athletic trainers, managers and everyone else involved with representing UNT. Many of you however, find these tough times to an opportunity publicly call out the young gentlemen on the field. Do you know who they are, do you know what they go through day to day, were you ever in their place, and do you really even care? I’ll give you a little inside from what I saw. A lot of these guys committed to a program that was 5-31 with Dodge and usually close to bottom of all the FBS. They came here to win and that’s the reason they are still here. They don’t like losing any more than a fan likes seeing a loss. They go to a school where much of the student body doesn’t care about them, and when times get rough either do alums. Do you think calling them out publicly motivates them? It doesn’t, and it sure doesn’t help their attitude or confidence. Do you really wonder why no we haven’t had a solid junior or senior quarterback, or why we have players quit or transfer? These players give it their all every Saturday for a fan base and school that seems to not care. They have yet to quit on each other and yet to quit on their coach. Never in the game yesterday did I see a player quit on a play. Yes, sometimes they got out played and weaknesses were exposed but they never quit. Finally who are you to question the coaching staff? Aren’t these they guys you praised about a few months ago. Have you ever been on a top 25 coaching staff or won a BCS Championship? I bet not, but I do believe these guys know what they are doing. Many of you say you’ve given up on this season and won’t even try to make it to anymore games. Give me your tickets, I would love to go. Beats watching it online. I may just be a kid to some of you, but many of you are acting like a child to me. Finally, please shut your mouth about football or any other sport unless it is in support for the team. And most importantly GO MEAN GREEN.

Really surprised, maybe we just have a lot of new members on the board this season, but man what a freak out. Osbourne can't get time because the coach promised a true freshman's dad he'd get to play. Chico forgot how to call good plays. Our defense is terrible. It's the world effin series so no one will come to our game. And it goes on and on. If you even post real football obe=observations you are labeled as some kind of apologist who has no expectations and are what's wrong with our university. If you fall in any of these camps, please Just chill out! This is what it looks like to me. Our offensive line is young and not as good as last year, but they are improving. Our WR corps is the weak link on the team and really hurting the entire offense. When a walkon leads you in yardage in game 7, one that wasn't even playing the first few games of the year, you've got problems. QB play has been poor. Despite DT's obvious injury he isn't getting better quickly enough. But it's hard to put the blame on him since he's hurt. Maybe if he wasn't hurt he'd be getting better. I'd suspect the fact that McNulty is getting time is because the coaches don't think it's all the injury. Offensive play calling has been conservative, but not overly. Mainly the team shows no ability to make big plays, so they are trying to avoid 3rd and long. Defense has really improved compared to last year. It's troubling though that with such an experienced secondary we still have so many blown coverages that lead to big plays. The linebacking corps is better than last year even with younger players. The defensive line is better than last year as well, even with younger players. The defense is really scheming well, but we still get burned. Sometimes though the other team just makes a play. it happens, it's not always your fault. If the offense was improving as much as the defense we'd be feeling pretty good. The concerns are that where we are weak, QB, WR, Secondary, we don't have much else to try there. That means recruiting and another year of learning. Perhaps the secondary will be ok since Warner was getting time, we have the transfer Trice, and Swarn and Lee along with Hilbert Jackson whose getting time. Still light there but not the abyss that is the WR position. Overall, i'm disappointed, but not in the team's play or the coaching, but in the fact we have so few options and it's going to take so long to build it up. That's not to say I'm satisfied with the coaching, but there is no doubt for this fan, that this team is weaker than last year, but we already have two wins. It ain't much but it's something. I sure hope we have a monster recruiting class, because we need to really start showing options and improvement next year. Like 6 wins and starting to scare some people. I'll be there regardless, of course. It's the Mean Effin Green so I always go.

Tony Mitchell is playing tight end

PASSING.................GP......Effic....Cmp-Att-Int....Pct.....Yards...TD......Long....Avg/G Thompson, Derek.........6.......103.0....80-151-3.......53.0....814.....4.......83......135.7 McNulty, Andrew..........5.......112.6....14-25-2........56.0....216.....0.......46.......43.2 Osborn, Brent..............3.......144.1....13-21-0........61.9....127.....2.......26.......42.3 McNulty is the only QB who hasn't thrown a TD. Osborn is the only QB who hasn't thrown a pick. Osborn has the best QB efficiency rating. Just give him a chance.

I wish I had time to go back and find all the posters wanting RV to 'lock the gate' and hire Chico for HC, compare that to those whining about his play calling and demanding him be replaced already, find the matches, and send you all PM's that read 'Shut up.' I'm on record as taking the refusal to accept excuses stance but my frustrations don't include wanting our staff replaced. I believe we have a great staff in place and I'm fine letting them go through a few bumps along the way. I'm also fine with complaining through those bumps but those that wanted the man as HC 10 months ago and now want him fired need to do just as my ghost PM says.

Good coaching should make up to some extent for a lack of talent, does anyone think that ULL is super talented? Tired of hearing about how small this team is, when it is simply not true, does anyone look at rosters or watch games? Talent maybe a problem but size is not. This is the Belt not the SEC. If we have a coach that is more interested in building for the future than showing something this year, we have the wrong man. The last thing this team needs is yet another 3 to 5 year building program to get competitive in the Belt. I don't believe that the staff was focused on rebuilding more than winning this year, but if they were; they made a very bad decision. I assume he is starting three freshmen in the ol because they are the best, although it is hard to believe with the results thus far. Every coach is developing players/teams for the future, but they are going to be doing that while doing their best to win games.

Impossible, posters on GoMeanGreen.com know absolutely everything.

...Whatever you're doing in practice that is so horrible, stop doing that! Now is your golden opportunity to wrestle the starting spot away from a shaky Thompson and an overwhelmed McNulty. Go prove yourself in practice this week.

Seems like a good athlete. Was he here in 2010 just as a student? SFA - 2008 - Defensive back http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/delgado_ivan00.html http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=2741776 http://statesman.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?sport=1&pr_key=58642 http://www.maxpreps.com/news/2B6U4IKCWk-mfxaLI5J7oA/remember-these-names.htm http://ccc.rivals.com/cpevent.asp?Key=24660 http://www.directathletics.com/athletes/track/1814643.html CISCO JC - 2009 - Quarterback http://corsicanadailysun.com/highschoolsports/x546110948/Navarro-rush-defense-faces-a-challenge-in-Cisco http://www.njcaa.org/colleges_college_player.cfm?sid=11&collegeid=1686&category=Roster&slid=5&teamid=93392&athleteid=270910

Maybe they are showing the UNT game on the Rangers jumbotron.

Maybe they'll change the kick-off time to something sooner... and then invite everybody to watch the Rangers on the big-screen afterwards.

I just wanted to let everyone know that several Mean Green fans responded to the invitaition from the Krewe de Chew to come by and visit our tailgate site and partake in some good food, music and fun. I know the game didn't turn out like they had hoped it would have but, other than the result of the game, I hope they enjoyed the tailgating and being in Lafayette. We hope to see all of you again on the Mean Green's next visit to Lafayette. Good luck for the remainder of the season!

Chico does not need to be fired. But.............Chico is not the same Chico personality-wise like last year. I think the man is still bitter over not getting the HC job. Hey, that's life in the big-leagues. Well, how about the "mid-major" leagues anyway. Chico has a burr under his saddle and it shows.

"Walk-on Ivan Delgado led UNT with 30 receiving yards against ULL." That should say it all, right there.

Your points are absolutely right. I could not agree more. If everyone is so sure he is going to fail, at least let him prove it. The other two have proven that's all they will do as well, so it is not like it will set us back any.

Most of the offense's problems are a result of having an inexperienced OL, WRs that have trouble remembering plays and easily get confused and a QB that telegraphs his passes. Throw in some suspect play calling and experiments with the Wildcat and there you have it.

We complain a lot because we lose a lot.

So the sky is falling because we've lost to the best two teams in the conference?

With 43 second left in the game, and UNT trailing by 17, McNulty went 3 for 3. He went three and out on the other series he played earlier in the 4th when it would have been nice to have points to get back in the game. Most schools will let you throw all over them when they are up by three scores with less than a minute left. McNulty had a start at Tulsa and failed horribly. He couldn't move it when we needed it against Louisiana in the 4th quarter Saturday night. If Thompson is too injured to play, Osborn should be given the same opportunity McNulty has had. If not, then this thing isn't about winning, but about about throwing away the rest of the 2011 season to develop McNulty. But, frankly, many of us are tired of seasons being thrown away halfway through for the sake of "development." Win. Win. Win. Win. If Osborn goes in and is as ineffective as Thompson and McNulty, fine. But, we'll never know until we see it.

The internet was created for these people.

Really? Brand new stadium, new facilities all around, spending more $$ for a coach, etc. And how does having TSU, a baby D1 team, make the WACky a better conference?

Because every single team you just named is more respected and well known than any in the Sun Belt Conference, right or wrong. Not to mention the MWC isn't known as the worst fottball conference in FBS like the Sun Belt. Again, right or wrong. That is the public perception, and going to the MWC would go a long way in changing UNT's perception inside the college football world, and, more importantly, with UNT's very own almuni.

If he's that injured, just sit him then. Don't run him out there to get pummeled the way Todd Dodge did to Riley. I'm ready to see what Osborn can do if we are giving up on the season. Given that he'll have no more or less weaponry available than Thompson has surrounding him, what's the harm? We've seen what happens when McNulty gets the majority of the snaps - Tulsa. He also played for two short series in the final nine minutes yesterday. Result - no points. If Thompson is hurt to the degree that he can't get the offense going, it's a disservice to the team to keep him in there. Give the ball to Osborn and see if he can't well.

I think that deep down most people know what the new staff is up against, know that Rome wasn't built in a day, and know we hired a guy whose rebuilding resume consisted of a methodical, deliberate 5 year turnaround. What frustrates some in the moment, though - besides the elevated bitter taste on gameday - is seeing other schools on our level make hires that don't need "their guys" and a four year plan. Hudspeth, for instance, took over a team that was picked to finish dead last - behind NT, mind you - in just about every SBC preseason poll - most experts thought our talent level was on par with or above that of the Cajuns, and their first year coach, with no excuses or complaints, has his guys on the way to winning conference and they've clinched a bowl game. It was a similar feeling many of us had watching Cristobal and Stockstill go to bowl games and turnaround their programs in the first two years of the Dodge area... it just feels like we've seen this before, regardless of how kneejerky it is. Again, I'm not saying it's right. I'm not saying we're not improved. I'm not even saying it's how I feel personally. I just understand the frustration even in year one... and frankly, I welcome it. The facilities are in place. This staff has more than Dodge ever got to experience, and more than Dickey could have possibly imagined. It has more than similar staffs on our level that are outpacing us on the field. I get it. I'm not losing faith, but I get it. We need to finish strong.

Then you're misunderstanding what those stats are telling you. The TE isn't supposed to be among your leading receivers...not unless you're the cowboys and your QB needs a securiyty blanket. The TE is supposed to be a chain mover. Five to ten receptions a game would be perfect. We DON'T have receivers like those top teams. We have no vertical threats. So, since teams are going to continually stack the box against Lance we need to get our TE into the pattern to take advantage of the space and to keep at least one LB honest. But what do I know, our offense is a well oiled machine right now.

Our defensive line and linebacker play has really improved. It's the guys responsible for the secondary that have "dropped the ball" for us. Pardon the pun. Our DB's are just bad.

Because we have seven eight straight years of losing football games. I damn sure hope we are complaining

Next month won't be tough. Head on over to the super pit and and watch some fun UNT action.

It does concern me that we were ULL's biggest win of the year. Even Nicholls State was more competitive (both in terms of final score and stats). Regarding the perception that we are undersized, there may be some validity. Average UNT starting offensive lineman weight: 302. ULL's starting offensive line: 311. However, our starting defensive front seven weighs 249 vs. ULL's 237. So, speed may be the bigger problem on defense. In reality, I think our offensive inconsistency is what's tiring out the defense more than a lack of BCS size.

How bout a team we actually beat two seasons ago, Ball State(2-10 in 2009 and 4-8 last year), who is currently 4-3 under first year coach Pete Limbo who came from Elon U? Rick

Obviously, you missed my sarcasm. I've been repeatedly accused and bashed on this board for having low expectations or being an apologist and accepting failure. I just for once felt like reverberating the overreaction on the board which entertains me for hours.

It's not any old game. It's the World Series. I say promote this dual game situation. The team will have to deal with it and still go out and win. It is up to them to grab our attention. If not this game will have 15K which is sad for homecoming. Get creative and find a way to draw the Rangers fans in too. GMG

Joining the WAC would kill us. It's no better than the Belt and the travel and TV times are terrible.

+1 for that because you are absolutely right and thus the reason that some of us for awhile now have wanted a new conference. I mean isn't the American dream all about improving one's lot in life (or at least it used to be). GMG!

I don't think we have an obsession with trying to get the TE involved on our offense. I think it is more about going to into battle with all of the weapons that the rules allow. Why have a six-shooter and only put five bullets in it? The facts are that we have no deep passing threat and as has already been said in this thread and the TE is even more valuable in this case. I have watched all of the games either in person, on ESPN3 or via replays and I have seen our TE, miss two balls that he may should have caught. I also saw him make two catches when the ball was thrown behind him (the FAU game). I remember him going across the middle in the FIU game and getting killed but held on to the ball. Ask any defensive coach and he will tell you that the TE and a running QB are the toughest players to prepare for. When the TE is covered it is usually by a LB that is 4-5 inches shorter.

Right, I'm sure it was. ULL's 6 game winning streak was also incredibly unrealistic. We aren't building a team inside the SEC or Big12. While I don't expect to win the Sun Belt this year, I fully expect this team to quit killing their chances in winnable games. It becomes customary and inherent within a team and it needs to be corrected this season. No excuses. We're not trying to build the next national champion here, we're trying to beat SUN BELT teams. There is nothing incredibly unrealistic about fans seeing potential in the team being competitive in the belt, nothing.

Sure, he may turn around the program in a year or two. He may, he may, he may. We'll see about that. However, I'm tired of hearing excuses when we are unable to finish off winnable games or when we have dominated a game and given up comfortable leads in the fourth quarter. Plus, certain play calls that some fans complain about are completely understandable. Most of us are tired of hearing excuses, I believe. I sure am. I sure expect this program to have a winning season next year. This season, we better start learning how to close off winnable games so it can transfer to next season.

I am sorry, but quit putting up excuses. ULL was also terrible in the past and picked behind us in the preseason polls. Look what their coach has done to a losing team in his first year. There is no excuse for us to lose winnable games like this, especially the way we do. So many stupid mistakes and questionable play calls and not being able to finish off a game IS reason to demand the program to step up now. I'm sick and tired of hearing excuses and accepting losing. How much we let Dodge damage our image is beyond mind blowing, let's not continue this tradition anymore. I fully expect this team to quickly learn how to finish off winnable games.

This. And I have been wondering as to the extent the current staff understands that issue. Still, recognizing a problem and being able to fix it are two different things.

I think it goes to the fact we have given this staff the resources it needs in regards to facilities/salary upgrades etc. & are just so hungry for a ROI. after the last regimes lack of performance the current one is paying for our past patience.

I don't understand this. This is one of our go to excuses that the defense simply gets worn down because they are on the field so long, but the facts don't back that up. We have won the Time of Possession battle in all 7 games this year. Some by pretty wide margins. It seems to me there is plenty of time for the defense to rest. How could they possibly be more tired than the other team's defense who has actually been out on the field longer than ours? Keith

Because this game was winnable! At the beginning of the year I didn't think this was a win, but after the game I see how many chances we pissed away! ULL isn't that good! How does losing a game to a team that you probably should have beat not upset you?

We have a reason to complain. New coach or not, we still get dumb penalties, can't block for field goals (4 or 5 blocks this season), and give up at least one blown coverage TD a game. I think most people would feel better if we were able to show improvement in these areas, I know I would.

I think the frustration on the part of many is that we essentially wasted the previous four years with a coach who had no business running a Division I program as a head coach and there was hope the opening of our new stadium would coincide with a return to winning football. Unfortunately, we opened our new stadium and are starting over with rebuilding rather than competing for a conference title. I also am frustrated the UNT did not make the head coaching change a year earlier when the writing was on the wall and we'd at least have somewhat of a foundation set going into this season at Apogee but hindsight is always 20/20 they say.

Because winning feels better than losing...

Dan has raised our expectations for steak and we are getting dog food...I see an improved defensive line...but the secondary isn't so great and the offense down right stinks....but with so many years of crappy UNt football, I should be adjusted by now...at least we have a new stadium and admin support and money....now...for a football team..and conference!

Because no one thought ULL was a contender and a new coach has them in the thick of things.........,,,,,,,, we are scared of buyers remorse?

I haven't seen much hate around the internet. Where is this hate you speak of coming from? What is wrong with complaining about a losing program that can clearly be better if better play calls are made? This team could be 4-3 this season if certain realistic things had been changed during play time. Fans should expect more from their team and should stick with them even through tough times, but expect more nonetheless. By the way, did you mean to say mean green fans complain "a lot"?

It's weird seeing new guys wearing No. 10 and 14

I would wager that there are very, very few people who are bigger Ranger fans than me. That being said, when it comes to Rangers vs. UNT, it is absolutely not even up for discussion. I had a buddy ask me last Saturday if I would rather have the Rangers win game 1 or UNT win against FAU. I didn't even have to think to answer that question. The University of North Texas collects/collected my tuition. While I have spent a great deal of money at The Ballpark in Arlington, I have spent much more at UNT for tuition/fees. I'm absolutely obsessed with sports, but my number one loyalty, without question, by a country mile, lies with UNT. Go Mean Green!