MeanGreen61

Off the Muts board. Scroll down left and click on projected schedule strength. LINK http://www.tellshowbcs.com/

Football: Mean Green leaning on seniors Dodge looks to veterans in adversity 10:34 PM CDT on Monday, October 8, 2007 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer One of the luxuries North Texas head coach Todd Dodge enjoyed coming into his first season with the Mean Green was having a large group of experienced seniors to look to for leadership. He just didn't expect to have to depend on those veterans to guide his team through what is quickly becoming a dismal campaign. UNT lost its fifth straight game to open the season on Saturday when Louisiana-Lafayette handed the Mean Green its second consecutive loss in Sun Belt Conference play. Dodge said winning the conference title was his goal heading into the season. The Mean Green will have to turn to those same seniors for stability now that the crown appears to be out of reach heading into a home game against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday at Fouts Field. The Sun Belt has had a two-loss team win a share of the league title just once in its six-year history. So far, Dodge has been happy with the way his veteran players have responded following UNT's 38-29 loss to the Ragin' Cajuns. "I talk to our players all the time and I talked to them after the adversity we have experienced started," Dodge said during Monday's SBC coaches teleconference. "Our seniors have responded in a very positive way. It's my job to make sure that they stay focused and on board." UNT has several seniors filling key roles this season, especially on defense. All three of the Mean Green's starting linebackers are seniors as are safety Aaron Weathers and defensive end Jeremiah Chapman. UNT also has several seniors on offense, where wide receiver Brandon Jackson and running back Jamario Thomas are two of the Mean Green's more productive players. Dodge said he is more concerned with how those players handle seeing their careers continue to come to a disappointing close than how he manages to get through a tough season after a highly successful run at Southlake Carroll. Dodge went 79-1 in his last five seasons with the Dragons, with his only loss coming to Katy in the 2003 Class 5A Division II state title game. "I have been through adversity both as a player and as a coach," Dodge said. "What you want to see is a whole lot of care and want-to." Dodge said he is still seeing that desire from his veteran players. Dodge elaborates on QB switch Dodge said late Saturday that Giovanni Vizza will be his starting quarterback for the rest of the season after making a surprise switch by putting the freshman in the starting lineup in place of junior Daniel Meager against UL-Lafayette. Dodge stuck by that stance Monday and elaborated on why he made the change. "We evaluate our players week to week." Dodge said. "We made the change not because of what Daniel hasn't done, but because of the spark that Giovanni can bring as a dual-threat quarterback." Meager threw for a school record 601 yards against SMU, but went 0-4 as a starter. He was the Mean Green's opening-day starter in a loss to Oklahoma. Vizza posted 383 passing yards in the Mean Green's loss to ULL, the eighth-highest total in UNT history. Dodge said he has been impressed with Vizza's development since he arrived at UNT. "It's a little different seeing if a freshman is ready to play," Dodge said. "You recruit a guy who fits your system and then turn him loose in fall camp. … We decided we didn't want to throw Giovanni out there against Oklahoma and Daniel won the job. Later on in our evaluation, we decided that Giovanni gives us the best chance to win." Briefly … Tobe Nwigwe was not a member of UNT's travel squad for the Mean Green's loss to UL-Lafayette. The sophomore linebacker is facing a hearing on Thursday to have his probation revoked. Nwigwe pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass on Aug. 23, 2006, and was arrested on a theft charge on Jan. 27 while on probation. … Running back Jamario Thomas, who was knocked out in the second half of UNT's loss to UL-Lafayette with a sprained ankle, is expected to play this week. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

Article posted on the Sun Belt board Woes Continue: FIU Goes 0-6, NCAA Issues Warning After Finding Dozens Of Ineligible Players October 8, 2007 4:31 p.m. EST Matthew Borghese - AHN News Writer Miami, FL (AHN) - The Athletic Department at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami has been dealt another setback on Monday. After it's flagship Division 1A football team went 0-12 last year, and has started this season 0-6, a new warning from the NCAA has put doubt on the future of the university's entire sports program. FIU President Modesto Maidique received a "notice of allegations" letter from the NCAA saying the school allowed 40 ineligible student-athletes to compete in several sports, dating back to 2002. According to the school's newspaper, the Beacon, "an infraction report from Aug. 25, 2005 showed that FIU broke NCAA rules," and as a result, FIU "is now subject to penalties under repeat violators, which may include the prohibition of some or all outside competition in the sport involved for one or two sports seasons." The NCAA says the violations occurred in several sports, including both men's and women's soccer and women's golf. The school admits every sport has been linked to the allegations, save tennis and softball. The NCAA will now give FIU until December to respond, and will hold a mandatory hearing on the matter in February. According to the Beacon, the majority of the infractions took place during the tenure of former Athletic Director Rick Mello, who served from 2000 to 2006, when he left to serve as Sun Belt Conference Associate Commissioner.

Scott Hall was not at all bashful about laying the wood to someone on a block

There's not doubt that TD has excite the masses with his fast forward offense. Then there's the defense.

Massey Composite Rankings (59 services thus far) has UNT at #120 #55 Troy (4-2) #71 Florida Atlantic (3-3) #90 Western Kentucky (3-2) #96 Arkansas State (2-3) #102 Middle Tennessee (1-5) #105 UL Monroe (1-4) #114 UL Lafayette (1-5) #119 Florida International (0-5) #120 North Texas (0-5) MASSEY COMPOSITE RANKINGS http://www.mratings.com/cf/compare.htm

INSIDE SLANT There isn't a quarterback controversy, nor was there a quarterback experiment against UL-Lafayette last week. First-year UNT coach Todd Dodge simply decided last week that he would bench junior starter Daniel Meager in favor of true freshman Giovanni Vizza. Vizza threw for more than 363 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw three first-half interceptions in a 38-29 loss at UL-Lafayette. "We have evaluated our first four games and practice day in and day out," Dodge told the Denton Record-Chronicle. "We felt at this point of the season that Giovanni gives us the best chance. It's for the rest of the year." While Vizza performed well in many regards, the difference was again the poor play of UNT's defense, which allowed 300 yards rushing to the Ragin' Cajuns. The run defense will certainly be a key this week when UNT plays host to UL-Monroe and tailback Calvin Dawson, who leads the Sun Belt in rushing. NOTES, QUOTES —Junior WR Casey Fitzgerald, a former walk-on, had 14 receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns in a 39-28 loss at UL-Lafayette. He leads UNT with 52 receptions for 727 yards. —Senior WR Brandon Jackson had 124 yards receiving against UL-Lafayette. He has 41 receptions this season. GAME BALL GOES TO: WRs Casey Fitzgerald and Brandon Jackson — The junior and senior combined for 22 receptions for 255 yards against UL-Lafayette. KEEP AN EYE ON: WR Brock Stickler — The junior had nine receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown after catching just six passes the previous four games. QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's one of those games that both teams really need badly. You had two teams that were out there scratching and fighting. ... I am just very disappointed for our kids. We had our shots, but we were never able to get the lead." — UNT coach Todd Dodge told the Denton Record-Chronicle after the Mean Green's 39-28 loss at UL-Lafayette. STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL LOOKING GOOD: UNT receivers Casey Fitzgerald and Brandon Jackson are the league's top duo and have more than 40 receptions each through five games. DT Joseph Miller — The junior had a huge game against UL-Lafayette. He had nine tackles, including two for losses and one sack. He also forced a fumble. PK Thomas Moreland — The true freshman has made four of six field goals and all eight of his extra point attempts. STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: QB Giovanni Vizza — The UNT staff has elected to go with the true freshman the rest of the season. He has a great arm and threw for more than 360 yards against ULL. However, he threw three first-half interceptions, so he obviously needs to make better decisions. UNT's defense ranks last in the nation and it has struggled against the run and the pass. RB Jamario Thomas — The senior led the nation in rushing as a true freshman, but injuries and an inconsistent offensive line have plagued him this year. He needs to be more of a factor in the offense. ROSTER REPORT: Senior OL Josh Alexander (knee) is out season. Backup linebacker Bryant Seidle (shoulder) is likely out for the season. Senior DB Roy Loren quit the team before the season began.

North Texas Saturday's result: Lost to Louisiana-Lafayette, 38-29 Up next: vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 6 p.m. Saturday Any injuries? RB Jamario Thomas sprained his ankle in the second half and did not return. OL Tyler Bailey (stomach flu) did not play. News and notes: Against La.-Lafayette, freshman Giovanni Vizza threw for 383 yards, the eighth-best total in school history. The former San Antonio Alamo Heights standout completed 35 of 57 passes in his first collegiate start. Coach Todd Dodge said Vizza will start the rest of the season. ... Wide receivers Casey Fitzgerald (14 catches for 131 yards) and Brandon Jackson (eight catches for 124 yards) surpassed the 100-yard mark in the same game for the second time this season. ... Junior defensive lineman Joseph Miller finished with a team-high nine tackles after posting 13 in the Mean Green's first four games. ... The Mean Green has allowed more than 30 points in all five of its games. Brett Vito

From the official conference site. Team & individual stats. Updated Sun Belt Stats http://www.sunbeltsports.org/ViewArticle.d...;ATCLID=1206419

Maybe Mendoza could be a "diet drink boy" ? He'd still be close to TD and roam the sidelines with a true purpose !

OT 1. The defense SUX ! 2. Yes, it's a new scheme with a new coach but the same applied to LAST SEASON where the D did finish #64 in total defense. 3. The defense is costing TD. What he viewed as an asset before the season began has been a liability. With a half way decent defense we could easily be 3-2 NOW. 4. The offense has made a dramatic shift with a totally new system. The defense has also made a dramatic shift, but unfortunately for the worse. If our offense can be much better with a new COACH, why can't the defense ? 5. I'll continue to doubt Mendoza until he shows he deserves respect as a college defense co-ordinator.

2006 vs this year. Offense & defense. Keep in mind that a new defense was also installed for the 2006 season. OFFENSE Rushing 2007 - #108 (95.20 ypg) 2006 - #83 (117.0 ypg) Passing 2007 - #8 (341.20 ypg) 2006 - #117 (115.17 ypg) Total Offense 2007- #33 (436.40 ypg) 2006- #117 (232.17 ypg) Scoring Offense 2007 - #103 (19.40 ppg) 2006 - #115 (12.83 ppg) DEFENSE Rushing 2007 - #118 (255.20 ypg) 2006 - #82 (149.33 ypg) Passing 2007 - #111 (291.80 ypg) 2006 - #42 (189.04) Total Defense 2007 #119 (547.00 ypg) 2006 #64 (338.42 ypg) Scoring Defense 2007 #119 (51.6 ppg) 2006 #79 (25.33 ppg)

If it's being knee-jerk to bitch about a defensive scheme/game plan that can't hold any opponent to under 30 points and only 2 to under 45, count me in as a knee-jerker.

How did basically this same group of players, working in a new system finish #64 in defense last season and have the bottom fall out this season ? Please don't tell me our defensive performance doesn't have something to do with COACHING. Aren't we also in a new offense, but with dramatically different RESULTS ?

Mean Green defense

Post by CajunFan on the Sun Belt board. "Dude, I've never seen an offense that makes our defense look fast! Good Lord, UNT's skill athletes are slow! In any case, they still found holes in our secondary and racked up a ton of yards. I believe we watched the two worst programs in the Sun Belt tonight. It is hard to get excited about that game."

October 04, 2007 Good news for UNT Good news has been hard to come by for North Texas this season, but the Mean Green appears as if it will get a nice break in its game against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday. UNT will enter the game pretty much healthy. ULL will not. Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference tackle Jesse Newman is out with a sprained ankle and is just one of several offensive linemen who is struggling with injuries for ULL. Dan McDonald, a friend who covers the Ragin' Cajuns, dropped me a note that said tackle Kyle Pirtle left practice Wednesday with what appeared to be a knee injury. Three other ULL linemen are also battling various injuries and are less than 100 percent. ULL depends on its offensive line to get its running game that ranks ninth nationally with an average of 238 yards a game going. UNT might be able to take advantage of ULL's misfortune this weekend.

The Sports Network DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 6th, 7:00 p.m. (et) FACTS & STATS: Site: Cajun Field (31,000) -- Lafayette, Louisiana. Television: None. Home Record: UNT 0-1, ULL 0-3. Away Record: UNT 0-3, ULL 0-2. Neutral Record: UNT 0-0, ULL 0-0. Conference Record: UNT 0-0, ULL 0-1. Series Record: North Texas leads, 8-3. GAME NOTES: Something will have to give this Saturday, as the winless UL- Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns will host the winless North Texas Mean Green from Cajun Field. It has been an embarrassing season for the Mean Green thus far as the team opened the year with a terrible, 79-10 setback to Oklahoma. The horrendous play continued all the way to last weekend, as the team suffered an abysmal, 66-7 loss to Arkansas on Saturday. Fortunately for North Texas, the team will have the luxury of hosting three of its next four games. As for the Cajuns, they have dropped all five of their games this season, including a tough, 37-19 loss to UCF this past weekend. This is the second time that ULL opened a season with five straight losses under coach Rickey Bustle. The other occurrence happened during the 2003 season, as the Cajuns started that campaign 0-7. In regard to the all-time series between the two schools on the gridiron the Mean Green have a solid 8-3 edge. For this offense to be successful the unit must rely heavily on the pass, as the team is producing a whopping 330.8 ypg through the air. Unfortunately the ground attack has been non existent, as UNT is posting just 83 yards via the run. The imbalance of the offensive attack is a huge reason why the team is averaging just 17 ppg. In the recent loss to Arkansas, the offense had a tough time all around, including with its passing attack. Overall the Mean Green collected just 329 total yards, and that includes the 189 yards via the pass. Both Daniel Meager and Giovanni Vizza saw time under center, but neither were very effective. Vizza was just 8-of-26 for 118 yards, while Meager completed only 7-of-15 passes for 71 yards. Neither QB threw a touchdown, but both tossed an interception. Meager has been the much more effective QB, completing 63.5 percent of his throws. However, meager has just four TDs against only eight interceptions. Defensively the Mean Green have been a complete mess, being torched for an atrocious 55.0 ppg and 580.2 total ypg. The unit has had trouble against the run as well as the pass, allowing opposing teams to churn out 244 yards on the ground, while being abused for 336.2 ypg via the pass. The big problem for UNT this past weekend was against the run, as the Razorbacks rumbled for an eye- popping 446 yards on 55 carries. The defense backfield also struggled, as Arkansas also threw for 267 yards in the contest. UNT forced two turnovers in the game, but finished the contest with zero sacks. In the loss the defense allowed Arkansas to collect 31 first downs, while also converting on 4-of-6 redzone chances. Aaron Weathers, who leads the team with 33 tackles on the season, recorded eight stops in the loss on Saturday. Unlike their counterpart, the Ragin' Cajuns have used their ground attack to produce most of their offensive success. ULL is averaging just 397 total ypg, but the majority of that production has come from the run, as the team is posting 238 ypg on the ground. In the recent loss to UCF, the Cajuns ground game continued its solid play, as ULL rumbled for 160 yards on 39 carries. With Tyrell Fenroy battling an ankle injury quarterback Michael Desormeaux led the way with 92 yards and Deon Wallace added 51 yards on 10 totes. Fenroy has been solid for the Cajuns and currently has 307 yards in four games. Unfortunately Desormeaux did not have the same success through the air, as the QB completed just 14-of-29 passes for just 154 yards and one score. While Desormeaux is leading the squad with 514 rushing yards, the QB has had trouble throwing the ball, completing just 53.7 percent of his passes. In five games, the QB has thrown for only 771 yards and five scores against six interceptions. On the defensive side of the ball, the Cajuns have had trouble containing the run, as opponents are producing 238.8 ypg on the ground. Overall the defense is being abused for a whopping 462.0 total ypg, which has led to 36.4 ppg. In the loss to UCF the Cajuns were abused for an eye-popping 300 yards on the ground. The Golden Knights dismantled ULL by totaling 466 yards en route to 37-point performance. The Cajuns were able to force two turnovers in the contest, but finished the game with just one sack. ULL also surrendered 23 first downs in the contest and allowed UCF to convert on all three of its red zone chances. Grant Fleming led the unit with eight tackles in the loss, while Daylon McCoy added six stops. As mentioned earlier, something will have to give this Saturday in Lafayette. The Cajuns have a solid ground attack and should run their way to their first victory of the season. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UL-Lafayette 34, North Texas 20

USA examining its football future Tuesday, October 02, 2007 By KIM SHUGART Sports Reporter The University of South Alabama is again exploring the possibility of adding football to its intercollegiate athletic program. USA President Gordon Moulton told the Press-Register Monday that a study is under way to determine if the interest is now high enough and the timing is right for football at South Alabama. "We are in the very early stages of looking at this again," said Moulton, noting that the goal would be for the Jaguars to play at the highest level of NCAA football. "We really don't have a detailed plan yet." Moulton said South Alabama is addressing the football issue again because of the positive feedback he has received from several sources, including faculty members, students, alumni and members of the university board of trustees. Moulton also said he wanted an evaluation completed as quickly as possible. "If we're going to do it, I've said to the board that I would like to see us reach a decision by the end of the year," Moulton said. "That may be a little unrealistic, but I hope not. I think if you're really going to do things you need to not lose your momentum. FULL ARTICLE http://www.al.com/sports/press-register/in...&thispage=1

Typo Corrected. Thanks.

Cajuns 28 Mean Green 21 Other Sun Belt predictions USF 38 FAU 19 Virginia 29 Muts 21 ULM 28 Arkansas State 27 Troy 35 FIU 13 HARMON FORECAST http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/8820391

Reserved (Sections A & I) and end-zone seats are still available.

Actually we've played 8 games vs the Pac 10; winning 2 & losing 6. Arizona 0-1 (2002) Arizona State 1-4 (Last game 1998) Oregon State 1-1 (Last game 1997)

Football: Mean Green defense tops list of worries 08:14 AM CDT on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer North Texas head coach Todd Dodge has plenty to worry about heading into his fifth game with the Mean Green. Dodge’s team is winless, ranked last nationally both in scoring defense and total defense and has its fourth road game this season looming Saturday against Louisiana-Lafayette. Those concerns are more important than all others, including whether UNT is losing some of the momentum it had coming into the season due to its poor start. “I don’t worry about that at all,” Dodge said Monday during the Sun Belt’s coaches’ conference call. “We have to continue to improve. … All I can control is our football team. We are still together.” UNT came into the season with high expectations after Dodge arrived in Denton fresh off winning four state titles in his last five seasons at Southlake Carroll. The Mean Green has struggled to meet those expectations early on. Arkansas hammered UNT 66-7 on Saturday, marking the second time the Mean Green has been blown out in a nonconference game this season. Oklahoma drubbed UNT 79-10 in its season opener. Those lopsided losses are big reasons the Mean Green ranks last nationally both in scoring defense (55.0 points allowed per game) and total defense (580.3 yards allowed a game). UNT will look to break out of its season-long slump against ULL, which has also struggled. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 0-5 on the year. UNT and ULL are two of four winless teams in the Sun Belt. “The only reason this is an important game is because it is our next game,” Dodge said. “We can get to 1-1 and still have an opportunity to meet our goals. Our focus is to win this week.” The Sun Belt is in its seventh season and has produced a champion with two losses only once. Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe finished in a tie for the title at 5-2 in the 2005 season. “As long as you have one loss, you are still in it,” Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill said. “Having two losses might put you out because there are some really good teams in the conference this year.” Florida Atlantic and Troy are sitting atop the conference standings at 2-0, while Arkansas State has yet to open league play. MTSU is 1-1 on the year, while the remaining teams in the league are all 0-1. Fenroy will be back this weekend UL-Lafayette will get a big boost for Saturday’s game against UNT with the return of running back Tyrell Fenroy. Fenroy missed last week’s loss to Central Florida and had just one carry the previous week against Troy because of a sprained ankle. The junior rushed for at least 80 yards in each of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ first three games, including a 136-yard night against Ohio. Fenroy was a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection and has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his previous two campaigns. “Tyrell will be back this weekend,” ULL head coach Rickey Bustle said. “We held him out last weekend to try to get him well.” UNT held Fenroy in check last season, limiting him to 60 yards on 15 carries. The Mean Green beat the Ragin’ Cajuns last season for one of its three wins on the year. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .

If someone DOES HAVE a handle on our defensive problems we ARE really in serious trouble !