MeanGreen61

Among all of the positives that are happening to our program, a possible mistake or error occurs and it takes center stage. It seems that we've always got some type of crisis or perceived crisis brewing. Hope TD can get use to the nature of the beast (UNT).

Exactly.

Big positive changes in the program, loads of positive publicity, etc. One blip in communications and no more $$$ ? That's a strange attitude.

Sam Roberson, a 6-4 freshman wide out from Somerville, again made some heads turn as he went up and pulled down a 28-yard touchdown pass from Meager.

UNT set for key workout Mean Green hope to make progress at quarterback 09:50 PM CDT on Friday, August 10, 2007 By Brett Vito/Staff Writer North Texas head coach Todd Dodge wouldn't define his team's workout at Fouts Field today as a scrimmage. But that doesn't mean there won't be a big change in what the Mean Green does during its first practice in its home stadium this fall. UNT will work on the kicking game extensively and spend more time in 11-on-11 situations that will go a long way toward determining who the Mean Green's starting quarterback will be for its season opener at Oklahoma on Sept. 1. The 150-snap practice will be closed to the public because of ongoing construction at Fouts Field. "It's just another practice that will be a lot more team oriented," Dodge said. "It will be more team work than individual and group work." Dodge said during media days earlier in the week that he would determine who his starting quarterback will be after the second of the Mean Green's Saturday workouts. Veterans Daniel Meager, Nathan Tune and Matt Phillips and freshman Giovanni Vizza are expected to see extended action in team drills. "I am excited about it," Meager said of today's practice. "I feel good about how I am progressing with the offense and how everything is going." Tune was impressive in scrimmages early in his redshirt season before spending most of last year in the background while UNT's top quarterbacks battled for the starting job. The experience he gained during that season could pay off today. "I still have some things I need to work on, but I have to stay after it," Tune said. "I am more prepared this season because of the experience I gained last year." The rest of UNT's players anticipate seeing the competition between Tune, Meager and the other Mean Green quarterbacks heat up today. "It will be a good situation with the quarterbacks out there pushing each other and making each other better," UNT offensive lineman Chad Rose said. "That way whoever plays will be ready on Sept. 1." UNT will go through more of a standard pre-game routine for the first time today. That experience will benefit more than just the Mean Green's quarterbacks. "This is definitely an important practice," UNT linebacker Derek Mendoza said. "Coach Dodge talked about how we will start with the pre-game routine. It will be like a mini game. That will be more exciting with the atmosphere at Fouts." The workout will also give UNT's top players on offense and defense a chance to square off in a game-like situation for the first time. "It will be a good learning experience," Rose said. "The only time we have gone against the No. 1 defense is in running drills. We will get to do more in the passing game and full-team aspects of the game." Dodge: UNT responds well to full-pads workout UNT's players made a good impression on Dodge during the team's first workout of fall practice in full pads Friday. "The big thing was to get in pads, get a little done and knock the rust off," Dodge said. "I was pleased with what I saw." Briefly … Dodge said he anticipates his players who finished summer school on Friday to return to the team in the next few days. Quarterback Woody Wilson and wide receiver Korey Washington are among the players finishing summer class work. … Dodge said none of his players will miss today's workout with injuries. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

North Texas Completes First Week Of Fall Practice Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 08/10/2007 Courtesy: University of North Texas http://www.meangreensports.com/ DENTON, Texas (8/10/07) – For the first time during fall practice, the Mean Green participated in full pads during Friday’s practice at the North Texas Athletic Center. The team will participate in its first of three fall scrimmages Saturday morning. The event will be closed to the public due to construction at Fouts Field. DAY FIVE PRACTICE NOTES: · Competing for the starting spot at quarterback, Daniel Meager, Giovanni Vizza and Nathan Tune all took reps in one-on-one drills. Meager led the group completing four-of-nine passes. Vizza was one-of-three and Tune completed two of his three attempts with a touchdown. · Working against the first-team offense, senior linebacker Derek Mendoza picked off a Vizza pass intended for B.J. Lewis. · On the second play of a two-minute drill, Jamario Thomas took a handoff from Meager and sprinted past Mean Green defenders for a 52-yard touchdown. · Vizza patiently drove the North Texas offense down field during his two-minute drill. He capped off a seven-play, 70-yard drive with a two-yard QB sneak. Vizza was three-for-three on the drive and also tallied two 15-yard runs. ARTICLE & PHOTO ALBUM http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...;ATCLID=1149943

NORTH TEXAS INSIDE SLANT Season-ticket sales are up and Mean Green fans are anxiously awaiting "Dodge Ball." Todd Dodge, a Texas high school coaching legend, replaced Darrell Dickey in the offseason. Dickey led North Texas to four straight Sun Belt titles, but the Mean Green slipped the past two seasons, including going 3-9 in 2006. If not for the uniforms, one wouldn't know it is North Texas on the field this season. After being a run, run, run team, North Texas will employ a spread offense this season. Whether it equates into a lot of victories remains to be seen because there are questions at quarterback, but regardless, it's going to be exciting for fans and difficult for defensive coordinators. The Mean Green have some weapons, including senior wideout Brandon Jackson and senior tailback Jamario Thomas, but the key will be the play of junior quarterback Daniel Meager. Meager has been inconsistent in the passing game, so if he struggles, it wouldn't be a surprise to see true freshman Giovanni Vizza get into the mix. Defensively, the Mean Green return a solid line, led by all-conference end Jeremiah Chapman. The linebackers, led by all-league pick Maurice Holman, Brandon Malone and Derek Mendoza, stack up with any in the league. The key will be the play of the secondary, which was horrible a year ago. Baylor transfer Latif Nurudeen could provide immediate help. NOTES, QUOTES KEY EARLY-SEASON GAME: vs. Florida Atlantic, Sept. 22 The conference opener is huge for the Mean Green, who will be coming off road games at Oklahoma and SMU. If UNT is going to be a factor in the Sun Belt, it must win its conference opener at home. THE MEAN GREEN WILL SUCCEED IF: The new wide-open offense clicks and if senior tailback Jamario Thomas can get back to his freshman form when he led the nation in rushing. And if the secondary improves, the Mean Green defense has a chance to be good. THE MEAN GREEN WILL FAIL IF: QB Daniel Meager can't execute coach Todd Dodge's four-WR offense. UNT has always been a run first team, but that will change in 2007. However, if UNT doesn't get good play at quarterback, it will be a long season. QUOTE TO NOTE: We are not going to put a whole lot of stock in it. It will not change the way we prepare our team or what our expectations are. … If one of my players brought it up, I would not shy away from the fact that we need to understand that our expectations are to finish a lot higher than seventh in the conference." New coach Todd Dodge told the Denton Record-Chronicle regarding the Mean Green being picked to finish seventh in the eight-team Sun Belt Conference. STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL HEAD COACH: Todd Dodge, first year, 0-0. MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: QB Daniel Meager The junior won the starting job in the spring, but must play well to keep it. UNT will throw the ball a lot more this season, so Meager's play will determine the success of the offense. BREAKOUT STAR: WR Brandon Jackson The senior has played in the shadow of the graduated Johnny Quinn. Additionally, North Texas has always focused more on the running game. As the most experienced receiver coming back, he should flourish in coach Todd Dodge's wide-open passing attack. NEWCOMER TO WATCH: DB Latif Nurudeen The Baylor transfer should quickly work his way up the depth chart this fall, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the junior in the starting lineup. PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: Offense QB Daniel Meager, RB Jamario Thomas, WR Casey Fitzgerald, WR Korey, Washington, WR Brandon Jackson, WR Brock Stickler, LT Matthew Menard, LG Adam Venegas, C Kelvin Drake, RG Chad Rose, RT Robert Peachey. Defense DE Jeremiah Chapman, DT Montey Stevenson, DT Isaac Thomas, DE Blake Burruss, OLB Brandon Monroe, MLB Derek Mendoza, OLB Maurice Holman, CB Antoine Bush, CB Dominque Green, FS Aaron Weathers, SS Roy Loren. ROSTER REPORT: Senior OL Josh Alexander, who missed part of 2005 and all of 2006 with a knee injury, won't play in 2007 and his career is over. True freshman QB Giovanni Vizza will be a player to watch early in the season. If starter Daniel Meager struggles, it wouldn't be a surprise to see coach Todd Dodge go with the rookie. Redshirt freshman Kelvin Drake earned the starting job in the spring and will be a key to the offense's success.

Saturday's Scrimmage Closed To Public Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 08/10/2007 DENTON (8/10/07) Due to construction at Fouts Field, the football scrimmage on Saturday will be closed to the public. To hear Coach Dodge's comments about the scrimmage and North Texas football, tune in to The Ticket (1310 AM) between 1:30 and 2 pm on Saturday afternoon. Ben and Skin from The Ticket will be broadcasting live from Bill Utter Ford in Denton. The North Texas football team opens its season on Saturday, Sept. 1 against Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. The game versus the Sooners will be Todd Dodge's first as head coach of the Mean Green.

Wide open offense, wide open competition Clay Byington Issue date: 8/9/07 Section: NEWS Media Credit: Kyle Phillips "It's Wide Open." The NT football team couldn't have chosen a more fitting slogan for the 2007 season. The slogan can be used to describe the new no-huddle offense that Todd Dodge, head football coach, is bringing to NT or the quarterbacks' race that is heating up as the first game of the season draws near. In a press conference Tuesday, Dodge said to the media in attendance that he sat down all of the players in contention for the starting quarterback position and said, "The race is on." Here is an in-depth look at each of the men who have a shot at the starting spot: Daniel Meager The frontrunner coming out of spring practice is Daniel Meager, Richardson junior, who also got more snaps last season than any other Mean Green quarterback. He finished the season with 517 yards passing along with four touchdowns and six interceptions. Meager said he is very excited about the new spread offense. "As a quarterback, it's something you dream about," said Meager, who also touched on the level of competition with the other quarterbacks. "You really have to focus in practice." Dodge's Take: "Of the guys we have right now, Daniel is the most accurate. Also, I think he is above average athletically." Nathan Tune After leading Celina High School to a state championship and an undefeated 16-0 record in 2005, Nathan Tune, Celina, Texas freshman, signed with NT and red shirted in 2006. The red shirt freshman will look to try and make an impact early in his college career. With a new offense and coaching staff, 2007 could be the fresh start he needs to get rolling. Tune is listed at 6'3" 203 pounds. Dodge's Take: "He is the biggest of the guys we have. Great strength and touch on the football. We need to work on his feet a little bit and get him in the right spots. He needs to be more consistent in practices, but when we get him into game situations, he excels. I've never been one to call anyone a 'gamer' but he does step up in 11 on 11 situations. He also runs pretty well for a big kid." Woody Wilson Although he did not get as many snaps as Daniel Meager in 2006, senior Woody Wilson had more completions and more passing yards. Wilson finished the season throwing for 528 yards to go along with two passing touchdowns and a team high of eight interceptions. Wilson, a senior from Fayetteville, Ark., showcased his athletic ability last year by running for more than 100 yards. Dodge's Take: "Woody, of all the guys we have, is probably the best dual-threat, combination guy­- very quick feet. He missed more spring stuff than we would have liked because of some class stuff, but he had some bright moments, especially late in the spring." Matt Phillips Matt Phillips, San Angelo, Texas junior, is more than excited about going out and competing for the starting quarterback position in 2007. "The competition level is definitely there," said Phillips, who is no stranger to quarterback competition. Phillips competed for playing time with Meager in 2005, playing in seven games and completing the longest pass play of the season, a 53-yard touchdown to Joel Nwigwe. Phillips repeated this act last season, again completing the longest pass play of the year on a 36-yard touchdown throw to Casey Fitzgerald. He finished last season throwing for 337 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions. "We all know we can get better, and we go out and try to do that every day. We just go out there and have a good time," Phillips said. Dodge's Take: "Matt is very well respected by his teammates- really good leadership qualities. Probably has the strongest arm, just pure velocity." Giovanni Vizza Probably the biggest wild card in the bunch is Giovanni Vizza, San Antonio freshman. Vizza, from San Antonio Alamo Heights High School, is listed at 6'1" 195 pounds and brings a lot of excitement to the field. "Giovanni has brought a lot of talent to the table, and it's fun to have him around there," Phillips said. "He's a young guy, and he's out there learning from us every day." Vizza finished his high school career with an impressive senior season, throwing 37 touchdowns on 3,278 yards with only eight interceptions. He also ran for seven touchdowns on 667 rushing yards. His team won the 4A State Championship, the first in the school's history. Dodge's Take: "In only two days, the thing that jumps out to you is that he's very, very competitive, with outstanding leadership qualities for a young guy. We recruited him because he is not only an accurate passer, but can also move the ball with his feet." "They are all very much in the hunt so we'll just see how it all goes," Dodge said.

Posted on the Belt board by Arkstfan. No more moves up in classification until 2011. WKU just under the wire. The NCAA Board of Directors on Thursday quieted one of the great annual off-season message board discussion topics, “Who is moving to I-A FBS football?” The Board imposed a four year moratorium on preventing institutions from moving into Division I or changing their Division I football subdivision. The moratorium will not apply to Western Kentucky because the Hilltoppers have already notified the NCAA of their intent to reclassify and have started the reclassification process. The moratorium will also not apply to the 20 institutions that have already started the process of becoming Division I members. Schools that have not begun the process must now wait until August of 2011 to start the process. The NCAA is expected to examine current Division I membership criteria as well as the process of reclassifying to Division I during the moratorium period. Other ideas that may be considered may include going to a four division format by splitting Division III or possibly subdividing Division III which has been growing rapidly. As of May of this year Division I had 326 members, Division II 281 and Division III 420. The rapid growth of Divisions I and III have been of some concern, especially in Division III where the ratio of teams to post-season opportunities is growing rapidly.

Football: Vizza not fazed by prospect of QB rival Freshman says he's happy Riley Dodge selected UNT 11:39 PM CDT on Thursday, August 9, 2007 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Giovanni Vizza's outlook on his future at North Texas hasn't changed much since he signed with the Mean Green in February. Vizza was ready to compete for the starting job his first year at UNT and every year after. That competition will just be a whole lot more interesting after Riley Dodge, the son of new Mean Green head coach Todd Dodge, decided to play for his father. Riley will be a senior at Southlake Carroll this fall and will be a part of UNT''s 2008 recruiting class. "It didn't make me think twice when I found out that Riley was coming here," Vizza said. "You always have to go through competition. That is how college football is. Coaches bring in people who they think can compete and make the team better every year." For a while, it appeared as if Vizza would be by far the most prominent quarterback to commit to the Mean Green this year. The former San Antonio Alamo Heights quarterback signed with UNT on Feb. 7, just days before Riley Dodge orally committed to Texas on Feb. 24. Riley changed his mind over the summer, setting up what could be a heated quarterback battle beginning next season. Riley was named the Associated Press Class 5A Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 after leading Carroll to Class 5A Division I state title. Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine named Vizza the offensive player of the year for the state regardless of classification for his performance while leading Alamo Heights to the 2006 Class 4A Division I state title. Vizza originally committed to Nevada, but changed his mind after Todd Dodge took over at UNT, even though he knew he could end up competing for a starting job with the head coach's son. "I don't think it was too big of a shock that Riley decided to come here," Vizza said. "Who wouldn't want to play for their father?" The addition of Riley Dodge will make the quarterback competition at UNT that much more intense beginning next season. Vizza believes that competition will benefit UNT in the long run. "I was happy when I found out that Riley is coming," Vizza said. "It will be good for the team to have competition. That will make everyone work harder and be a better player." Todd Dodge declined to comment on what he told Vizza about his son committing to UNT because he cannot discuss a recruit who has not yet signed with the Mean Green. Vizza has more immediate concerns than competing with Riley Dodge this fall. He is already in a heated battle with the rest of UNT's current quarterbacks for the starting job. Todd Dodge said he would give Vizza an opportunity to compete with veterans Daniel Meager, Nathan Tune, Matt Phillips and Woody Wilson for the starting spot in his freshman year. "I told [our returning quarterbacks] we had signed a quarterback and he would have an opportunity when he steps on campus," Todd Dodge said. Vizza, who has talked to Riley Dodge on a few occasions, could play this season or spend the year as a redshirt. The decision is one Vizza said he would leave up to Todd Dodge and the rest of the Mean Green's coaching staff. For now, Vizza is just enjoying his opportunity to adapt to the college game. "I am enjoying practice," Vizza said. "I was glad to get up here early in the summer and meet everyone. That helped me out, getting to know all the receivers. In terms of practice right now, I am just having fun and competing." UNT to practice in full pads UNT will practice in full pads for the first time this fall during its 3:30 p.m. workout today at the Mean Green Athletic Center. UNT spent the first four days of practice in partial pads. "There is a lot more that we can do once we get into full pads," Todd Dodge said. "We will be able to learn more about our running backs and our offensive and defensive lines." Getting into pads for the first time is an opportunity UNT's players have been looking forward to since practice began. "You always get excited with every step that brings the season closer," quarterback Daniel Meager said. "Getting into pads is an important step for us." BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

Go to page 10 for Q & A with TD. Go to page 16 for UNT Preview. SPORTSPAGEDALLAS.COM http://www.sportspagedallas.com/pdf/08.10.07.web.pdf

ARTICLE http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...;ATCLID=1149465 DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY FOUR: · The Mean Green defense forced three interceptions on the day. Desmon Chatman, Colt Mahan and Corey Paris all pulled down picks during 11-on-11 drills. · The first-team defense held the first-team offense to four-of-10 through the air during the two-minute drill, including one interception. · Working against the first-team offense for the second time of the day, the Mean Green defense forced and recovered consecutive fumbles by running back Jamario Thomas. · The hustle play of the day came after Roderick Cotton was beat on a post route on what looked like a sure touchdown. Cotton caught up with Casey Fitzgerald and stripped the ball from behind to prevent the TD.

OUCH !

Pep talk helps charge up Tribe By Kevin Turbeville Sun staff writer JONESBORO — Steve Roberts called his players together after about 20 minutes of Arkansas State’s scrimmage Wednesday evening. The Indians weren’t working with the intensity expected by their head coach, but they picked it up after a short pep talk. “It was definitely better after that. We showed a little more life,” Roberts said. “Day five, practice five, it’s the first time in full pads. I would have hoped we would have adjusted a little better than we did, but I’m pleased. “I thought we got a lot of good stuff on film that we can teach off of from this point. We’re still very limited on what we have in. Out of the 57 plays we went, over 30 of them were pass plays, 35 or 36, something like that. It’s because we don’t have much by the way of a running game in yet.” Various down-and-distance situations were scripted for the scrimmage. While the starting units received some work, the backups were used quite a bit in hopes of developing depth. Five quarterbacks saw action, with true freshman Chris Lambeth completing 4-of-5 passes for 34 yards. Sophomore tailback Cedric Wilkerson accounted for the longest offensive play of the session, a 24-yard run. Sophomore tight end J.T. Jordan had two receptions for 26 yards, with both catches gaining first-down yardage, while senior Levi Dejohnette also had two receptions. Dejohnette was one of ASU’s leading receivers last year with 23 catches, but Jordan had only three receptions last season while playing in seven games. “I thought he showed up,” Roberts said when asked about Jordan. “I’m anxious to go in and watch the film and see how he did on his other stuff. He made a couple of real nice catches.” Senior safety Tyrell Johnson delivered one of the day’s biggest hits, crashing into senior receiver Chris Miller to break up a pass thrown over the middle. Roberts smiled when asked about the hit. “That’s Tyrell,” he said. “Unfortunately he came back the very next play and missed a tackle in the backfield that he had an opportunity to make, but it was a good run by Preston (Brown) on that.” Senior cornerback Darren Toney accounted for the only touchdown, returning an interception 25 yards down the sideline. “The D-line got good pressure and that caused the quarterback to hesitate to throw it,” Toney said. The Indians will practice twice today for the first time in camp. Practices are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. When asked for an assessment of Wednesday’s scrimmage, Roberts classified it as “some good, some bad.” “I thought we started off lacking the intensity we needed,” Roberts added. “We picked it up a lot at the end, made a few more plays offensively and defensively. Young guys, it’s just so difficult for them to go full speed because they’re second-guessing themselves once the play is called and they get the adjustments at the line of scrimmage. “Overall I was pleased. We have to bring it when we line up, not wait on something good or exciting to get us juiced up.”

"No put down to the Sunbelt intended by me, nonwhatsoever, it's a scrappy pack of wild southern pit bulls just looking for a C-USA team to walk into their stadium with an armfull of Happy Meals and whistling the theme song to Memphis Belle." THREAD http://tulsa.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=17...115&style=2

College Football News Unit Rankings. COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS http://cfn.scout.com/ North Texas Offense - #112 Defense - #111 Special Teams - #88 QB - #117 RB - #72 Rec. - #114 O-Line - #117 D-Line - #104 LB - #106 Secondary - #113

Football: Kicking battle rages on Three legs vying for one spot for UNT 10:13 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Just a few weeks ago, Clayton Teasdale was preparing to head Blinn Junior College when he received a call that changed his plans. North Texas' coaches had discovered they might lose redshirt freshman kicker Steven Woodward and were looking for candidates for the starting job. Teasdale jumped at the opportunity and is now in the midst of what has turned out to be a three-man race to be the Mean Green's kicker in its season opener Sept. 1 at Oklahoma. Teasdale, a Carrollton Newman Smith product, Trent Deans of Sherman and Thomas Moreland of Forney all arrived at UNT as preferred freshmen walk-ons this fall and will compete for the starting job. Woodward is no longer with the team, leaving the Mean Green without a kicker who has gone through a season of practices on the college level, let alone kicked in a college game. "I was going to Blinn because it is a good junior college," Teasdale said. "I changed my mind when this opportunity came up because I would rather go straight to a Division I school." Moreland played in the Oil Bowl, an all-star game that features a team of Texas players taking on a similar team from Oklahoma. He was also a second-team All-District 10-4A selection. "North Texas contacted me right near the end of spring practice," Deans said. "They wanted me to come by and visit one of their practices. They said they liked how versatile I am." All three of UNT's kickers have been with the team for just a matter of days. "One thing we will have to find out is how they handle pressure," Dodge said. "We are trying to figure that out every day." UNT's coaches have been putting each of their kickers in pressure situations at the end of practice. If the Mean Green's kickers convert their attempts, practice is over. A miss can result in extra running or drills. "We have to get used to kicking on the college level and show coach Dodge what we can do," Deans said. The loss of Woodward also opened up the possibility of punter Truman Spencer handling kickoff duties. Dodge said he wouldn't ask Spencer to kick field goals. Spencer is a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection as a punter. "We will see what happens with kickoffs," Spencer said. "I might try that." UNT is looking to replace Denis Hopovac, who converted 71.4 percent of his field goal attempts last season, a total that ranked fourth in the eight-team Sun Belt. Hopovac led the league with an average of 1.36 field goals a game, but is best remembered for coming through at the end of a tough game against Florida International. UNT and FIU battled through seven overtimes and combined to attempt 13 field goals during the extra sessions before Hopovac connected on a game-winning 34-yard kick in the seventh period. Hopovac went 3-for-7 on field goals in extra time and missed what would have been game-winners from 51 and 29 yards. He made up for those misses with a make from 39 yards in the fifth overtime to extend the game, not to mention the winner two overtimes later. Spencer has worked with UNT's new kickers the last two days and believes the Mean Green will find a solid starter by its season opener. "At first I was worried, but I think they are going to do all right," Spencer said. "They have progressed the last couple of days and are starting to hit the ball a lot better." UNT loses Loren Roy Loren, a senior who was projected to be UNT's starting strong safety heading into fall practice, is no longer with the team, Dodge said Wednesday. The former Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College standout started seven games last season and finished with 33 tackles. He missed four games with a broken hand. Sophomore Kartey Agbottah has moved into the starting lineup in place of Loren. "We can't worry about the ones who are not going to be here," Dodge said. "It's a tremendous opportunity for Kartey. … He is running with the first team. We have said since we started working with him that his best football is in front of him. He has a great frame." Agbottah, 6-2, 190, was a significant contributor on special teams and finished with four tackles in 10 games last season. UNT has also moved Desmon Chatman, 6-2, 187, from corner to safety. The sophomore has made a good impression and is pushing for playing time. "After three practices, moving Desmon to safety looks like it will be good for us," Dodge said. "He looks like a safety and can run like a cornerback. If you had asked me when we first got here what he played, I would have said outside linebacker. He is big and runs well." BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

Thanks Greenbat, great info.

Anatomy 101.

Give it a rest. You're gettin' kinda tiresome.

UNT practice notes There will be a notebook in tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle with a couple of news items, but until then here are a few random thoughts and observations from UNT's practice on Tuesday. B.J. Lewis continues to be impressive and appears to be pushing for immediate playing time. The freshman has made plays in both of the first two sessions of fall practice and made a nice grab in a goal line drill Tuesday. UNT started looking for a new punt returner to replace the departed Johnny Quinn on Tuesday. Wide receivers Brandon Jackson and Casey Fitzgerald and defensive back Dominique Green all caught punts during the middle of practice. Punter Truman Spencer continued to drive all of UNT's return men deep and appears to have picked up right where he left off after a standout sophomore season. Kartey Agbottah is getting a long look at safety with Roy Loren out of practice. Wide receiver Breece Johnson had his best day of practice thus far on Tuesday. The freshman caught three touchdown passes in goal line drills and was impressive throughout the day. Chad Rose continues to work at guard, while Adam Venegas has been spending time at tackle. Freshman wide receiver Sam Roberson made a nice catch in the back of the end zone during one-on-one drills. UNT head coach Todd Dodge has preached the theme of family since he took over the program in December. UNT has broken its huddle by yelling the word in unison throughout practice.

Mean Green Complete Second Day of Practice Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 08/07/2007 DENTON, Texas (8/7/07) – The North Texas football squad completed its second full day of practice Tuesday with a two-hour workout at the North Texas Athletic Center. PRACTICE NOTES: · To begin practice, quarterback Nathan Tune saw action with both the first and second team offense. · True freshman wide out, Sam Roberson recorded two touchdown receptions with Antoine Bush in coverage. Roberson, a 6-4 receiver from Somerville, out-jumped Bush in the corner of the endzone to pull down his first touchdown. · Bush returned the favor later in the 11-on-11 drill when he picked off a Daniel Meager pass intended for Roberson. · Latiff Nurudeen made a one-handed interception in one-on-one coverage drills. · Working from the 30-yard line, Meager completed two consecutive passes to Brandon Jackson to get the Mean Green inside the five-yard line. · Freshman QB, Giovanni Vizza instrumented a three-play drive capped off by an 11-yard touchdown pass to Marcus King. · In a simulated two-minute drill, Meager ran a seven-play, 50-yard drive down to the 15-yard line. Meager was three-for-five on the drive. · Running the same two-minute drill, Tune drove the ball down the field and hit Jackson on an out route for a nine-yard touchdown. Tune finished the drill four-for-five with the TD.

UNT short some key parts on first day Wilson among notables not present for opening workout 08:50 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer North Texas opened fall practice without several players who are expected to compete for starting jobs or key roles this season, including quarterback Woody Wilson. Wilson led UNT to a win over SMU last year, but was pulled from the lineup after starting four games. The senior is expected to compete for the starting quarterback job. Wilson, defensive back Roy Loren, wide receiver Korey Washington and kicker Steven Woodward all missed practice, but head coach Todd Dodge said each was still on the Mean Green’s 105-man roster. Each could return to practice in the next few days. Offensive lineman Nick Foster also missed practice. Dodge said he couldn’t comment on the former Allen standout or his future with the team. Offensive lineman Ajani Banks was also not at practice and is not on the Mean Green’s preliminary roster. Banks and Foster were expected to provide depth on an UNT offensive line that will be one of the Mean Green’s key question marks heading into the season. Mean Green gets off to solid start offensively All the work UNT put in to adapt to a new offense during spring practice appeared to pay off on the first day of fall workouts, when the Mean Green improved throughout the afternoon. Junior Daniel Meager entered fall practice atop the quarterback depth chart and split time with redshirt freshman Nathan Tune during several drills. Dodge was pleased with the way both quarterbacks and his entire offense progressed on the first day of practice. “The thing that you like to see is that you get better as practice goes along,” Dodge said. “That is what happened today. Our young receivers have to go against some good defensive players. Throwing them into the fire is the best thing for them. I am pleased with the retention we had from spring. The thing you look for is if the first day of fall practice is better than the last day of spring practice. I can say that it was.” Junior wide receiver Casey Fitzgerald was just one of several receivers who caught a touchdown pass during practice. “We had a good tempo today,” Fitzgerald said. “Everyone was moving around really well. Considering we have not played 11-on-11 since the end of spring practice, it went pretty well.” UNT finds rhythm in practice’s new tempo One of the biggest changes in the Mean Green’s fall workouts from previous seasons is an increased tempo and timed periods. UNT’s players felt like they adjusted well to the new regiment, once it began in spring practice. “It’s a whole new tempo,” UNT linebacker Brandon Monroe said. “Everyone is running around. I am really excited about it. We have all been up here working out, waiting to get the pads on and get started.” BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com