MeanGreen61

I beleive the 20 plus playing with no previous 1A experience being referred to are r/s freshmen, freshmen, and JC transfers.

Football: Belt busted UNT’s 26-game conference win streak is history 09:52 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer After four years, 26 games and four conference titles, North Texas’ dominance of the Sun Belt Conference finally came to an end Tuesday night. Troy stifled a Mean Green offense that has struggled throughout the season and came up with just enough key plays to pull out a 13-10 win at Fouts Field. The loss was UNT’s first in a conference game since falling to Louisiana-Monroe in its first Sun Belt game all the way back in the 2001 season. “I don’t think anyone thought it was going to last forever,” UNT coach Darrell Dickey said. “I wish we’d have played a lot better than we did tonight when we lost it, but give Troy credit. They came in with a good plan. They ran the ball extremely well, shut us down offensively for most of the game and made plays.” The Mean Green (1-3, 1-1) were the team that came up with those key plays throughout the streak that ranked as the second-longest in the nation behind Boise State’s 27-game streak in the Western Athletic Conference. UNT’s defense continued to make those plays against Troy, but saw its counterparts on offense squander the majority of the opportunities it provided. Troy (2-3) improved to 1-0 in Sun Belt play and solidified its status as a favorite to win the Sun Belt title and earn a berth in the New Orleans Bowl that goes to the league champion. UNT saw is chances of winning the conference title and a bowl berth diminish after making a series of key mistakes against Troy. Quarterback Daniel Meager threw two interceptions, and the Mean Green lost three fumbles, including one by sophomore Jamario Thomas after he appeared to pick up a first down on 3rd-and-1 from the Troy 36-yard line in the fourth quarter. UNT’s five turnovers were the most for the Mean Green since a loss to South Florida in the 2002 season and the most in Dickey’s tenure with the team. Those mistakes helped kill what turned out to be three Mean Green drives into Troy territory that failed to result in points. UNT didn’t reach the end zone until Meager scored on a 20-yard run with 1:38 left in the game to cut the Mean Green’s deficit to 13-10. Troy recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock. “We would drive and have a turnover or two,” Meager said. “That just killed us. You can’t win games when you turn the ball over.” Meager had 129 yards passing but completed just 9-of-26 passes. Running back Patrick Cobbs finished with 56 yards rushing and saw his streak of seven consecutive games with 100 yards rushing in games he started against Sun Belt teams come to an end. UNT’s struggles offensively proved costly when Troy took advantage of an early UNT turnover and grabbed a 7-3 lead at halftime on a 16-yard pass from Carl Meadows to wide receiver Toris Rutledge. Rutledge’s touchdown came after UNT wide receiver Johnny Quinn fumbled a punt deep in Mean Green territory. The Mean Green had a chance to even the score but had to settle for a Nick Bazaldua 21-yard field goal after defensive end Willie Ransom recovered a fumble by Troy running back Joel Whinghter at the Trojans’ 17-yard line in the second quarter. Troy kicker Greg Whibbs extended the Trojans lead to 13-3 with a pair of field goals in the second half. The deficit turned out to be too much for the Mean Green to overcome. “We got beat by a good team,” Cobbs said. “The defense gave us a chance to win, but we didn’t take advantage.”

Russ Goodall: Sloppy play leads to rare Sun Belt loss 09:36 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 North Texas fans had to know that it was going to end someday, and that someday came on Tuesday at Fouts Field. When Troy pulled out of Denton late on Tuesday night, the Trojans took with them a tough road victory over the Mean Green, 13-10, a Sun Belt Conference ‘W’ and UNT’s 26-game conference win streak with them. Four years in the making, UNT (1-3, 1-1) used a blend of miscues, penalties and early offensive ineptitude to kiss its win streak goodbye. “It came down to turnovers and missed opportunities,” UNT head coach Darrell Dickey said. “I’m disappointed we made a lot of mistakes again and that prevented us from scoring.” And that conference win streak wasn’t the only streak to go by the way side. The loss is the first conference home loss since Idaho came to Denton and knocked off the Mean Green, 16-14, on Nov. 11, 2000, in a Big West tilt. Officially, the Mean Green turned the ball over five times, with a fumble in the first quarter that led to Troy’s first and only touchdown of the game. “We are kind of young offensively and we can’t make those kinds of mistakes, and a bunch of them, during the course of a game and give ourselves a chance to win,” Dickey said. “That is part of the game though. Some were forced, some were on our own errors, but they happened.” When Troy (2-3, 1-0) returned the favor in the second quarter, UNT could not take advantage. UNT had first-and-goal from the Troy 5-yard line, but that was as close as the Mean Green would get, as they settled for a Nick Bazaldua field goal — the first offensive points at home this season for UNT. “When we get that kind of field position, it should be automatic,” UNT running back Patrick Cobbs said about not turning the fumble into a touchdown. “Sometimes it’s not when you play a good team. We should have found a way, but we didn’t.” When the Mean Green found themselves down 10-3 in the third, they began to march down the field. But the turnover bug bit again. Quarterback Daniel Meager was intercepted at the Troy 12, and the Mean Green were turned away again. “We’d drive it down the field and then have a turnover,” Meager said. “That killed us. That was the ball game.” While the turnovers hurt, so did the penalties. UNT was penalized five times for 45 crucial yards, with the most painful one coming during the Trojans’ second drive of the third quarter that resulted in points. After stopping Troy on a third down in its own territory, UNT defensive back Roderick Cotton was flagged for a dead-ball personal foul that bailed out the Trojans’ offense. “We had a couple of penalties that kept their drives alive and gave them a chance to capitalize on some things,” Dickey said. “I’m not questioning the penalties, but ours came at critical junctures when they either kept a drive alive or got them in scoring position. It is something we have to work on to improve.” Troy had new life at its own 45 and from there marched down within the UNT 5 and kicked a field goal to give the Trojans a touchdown lead. Put the turnover and penalties together and it is no wonder UNT is sitting with a win and loss in SBC play. The Mean Green gained just 229 yards in the game, 51 of those yards coming in the first half. UNT had a chance in the fourth quarter to get back in the game after a long punt return by Johnny Quinn set up the Mean Green at the Troy 45. But, just three plays later, Jamario Thomas fumbled the ball and Troy was back in business. “Our defense gave us a lot of chances to win this game, but we didn’t come through,” Cobbs said. From there, the Trojans used another personal foul penalty, this one on T.J. Covington, to march down the field and put the final nail in the win streak’s coffin. “Our streak is over, but our season is not,” Dickey said. “We just need to remember that and get ready for our next game.” When it was all said and done, it was another loss for the Mean Green punctuated by another meaningless fireworks show after the game.

Thanks Kajun. Every site has one like him. No problem.

Here's the Box Score from Yahoo. Attendance is listed as 17,644. Surprising with some of the low estimates that were made because it was a Tuesday game. I couldn't make it up, but my seats were occupied. Ugly game,. http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/boxscore?gid=200510040182

Paragraph from a post on the Arkansas State board. "UNT always looks beatable early on against non SBC schools---then thy beat us like we stole their bikes when we were kids. They are the schoolground bully, except they back it up---we have beaten noone of consequence this season so far. Until we back it up on the field, UNT is light years ahead of us".

Interesting. NT has beaten both SMU and Rice.

NT squares off in anticipated battle Mean Green needs big game from defense, quarterback Rian Johnson Staff Writer October 04, 2005 Troy State (1-3,0-0) and NT (1-2,1-0) enter Tuesday night’s game in similar shape. David Minton / NT Daily NT quarterback Daniel Meager has practiced all season for big games like Tuesday’s with Troy. ---------------------------- Both teams found themselves in bowl games at the end of last season, but have struggled thus far this year. Like NT, Troy won its season opener, but has not won a game since. “They have a good football team,” NT coach Darrell Dickey said. “They have had some rough outings, but they have played some good teams.” Troy enters the game averaging over 250 total yards on offense, netting the Trojans just under 19 points per game. “They are expanding what they do offensively to develop a little more sophisticated passing game,” Dickey said. “They are working with that right now and it gives them some added things for our defense.” Trojans quarterback Carl Meadows has completed 47 percent of his pass attempts for 675 yards and three touchdowns. While Meadows has struggled against tough Big 12 and SEC teams, Dickey is impressed with the junior. TroyTrojans.com Troy quarterback Carl Meadows lead the Trojans to victory in its season opener. ----------------------------------- “Their quarterback is a good player, he is a junior, has been around a while and he knows what he is doing,” Dickey said. The Mean Green will need a big game from its secondary and pass rush if it expects to stop the Trojans pass attack. “Looking at them on film, they were a smash mouth, hard nosed football team and they still are,” Dickey said. “But what they have added to their offense is the ability when they pick and choose to spread you out and throw the ball and they do.” With a thin secondary going up against the Trojans passing game that has featured seven different receivers in every game this season, it is important for the Mean Green offensive line to establish the run early against a Trojans defense that has struggled. Troy is giving up an average of 163.5 yard per game on the ground so far this year. In addition, the Trojans are allowing a completion percentage of over 68 for opposing quarterbacks this year, for 210.8 yards per game and six touchdowns. While the Trojans have allowed some big numbers so far this year, the Mean Green offense is not nearly as productive as Troy’s opponents. “Defensively, they have been strong in the past when we have played them and they are very, very strong this year,” Dickey said.

Next to last paragraph........ 500 ?????? Students at game can enter $5,000 raffle Bryan Shettig Staff Writer October 04, 2005 NT students attending the Mean Green football game today are able to enter a raffle to win $5,000 for tuition fees, housing and textbooks. The Mean Green football team plays Troy University at 6:30 p.m. at Fouts Field. This is the first time a raffle such as this is held at an NT football game, said Rick Villareal, director of athletics. “We try and do different things every year and come get the students involved,” Villareal said. The event is part of Student Appreciation Day, Villareal said. There will be 3,000 free T-shirts given out during the game as well as raffles each quarter. In the first quarter of the game, students will have their names drawn to win premium parking passes for next semester. Students without a parking pass for this semester will receive a current one. During the second quarter, more premium parking passes will be handed out as well as a $250 gift certificate for textbooks. In the third quarter, premium parking passes will be accompanied with a $500 certificate for books. Student athletes are not eligible for any awards. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, one student will win the cash prize: $5,000 for school-related expenses. “That [money] includes tuition fees, books, parking passes and if there is money to spare, even housing,” Villareal said. The athletics department is paying for this out of their promotional budget, which Villareal says is between $110,000 and $120,000 a year. Some students seem to be reacting positively already. “I think [the raffle] is absolutely wonderful and is a great tool the athletics department is taking advantage of to get students to go to the game,” said Kaycie Tugman, Burkburnett senior and Eagle Talon treasurer. Anida Napkaphone, Mineral Falls junior and Eagle Talons spirit chair, said, “I think it’s a great incentive, and not just because it’s our school but because the game is being broadcasted nationally too.” Mean Green’s football match again Troy University will be featured on ESPN2 and is expected to have an attendance in excess of 500 people, according to www.unt.edu. Current NT students with a school ID card can attend games for free at the student gate at Fouts Field.

From College Football News http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2005/TQ...ay_Question.htm

Sun Belt Game of the Week Tuesday, October 4th Troy (1-3) at North Texas (1-2) 7:30 pm ET ESPN2 Why to watch: It's hard to sell a battle of two one-win teams as "The Game of the Year," but that's exactly what this might be for the Sun Belt conference. These were the two best teams in the Sun Belt last year, but they didn't play. Now, this should be for the Sun Belt title and a trip to the New Orleans Bowl, even though each team has a long Sun Belt road ahead. North Texas has looked horrible so far getting blasted 108-9 over the last two games by Kansas State and Tulsa, but it did come up with an opening day win over MTSU to once again establish its dominance in Sun Belt play. Troy has played a bit better than the Mean Green despite losing to UAB, Missouri and South Carolina over the last three weeks by a combined score of 124 to 49. The one win came over Cal Poly in the opener. Why Troy might win: Despite all the points allowed and all the problems over the last few weeks, Troy has a decent defense. The stats don't show it, but there's enough young, athletic talent to potentially shut down most mediocre offenses. UNT's offense isn't mediocre, it's horrendous currently ranking dead last in America in total offense and passing and is second to last in scoring averaging a mere 7.67 yards per game. The vaunted running game isn't even doing much averaging 103 yards per outing. To make matters worse, the struggling offense isn't getting any help from the special teams with the nation's worst punt return game. UNT is averaging -2 yards per punt return. Troy is 29th in the nation in punt returns averaging 12.94 yards. Why North Texas might win: Turnovers. Troy is 118th in the nation in turnover margin giving it away 12 times and only taking it away twice. Even with all of its problems, North Texas is 17th in the country in turnover margin with six takeaways and only three giveaways. Also, it's not like the Troy offense is doing much of anything averaging 259.5 yards and 18.75 points per game. It won't take much for the Mean Green defense to shut the Trojans down. Who to watch: It's a head-to-head matchup of, arguably, the league's best linebacker vs. the league's best running back. Troy's Bernard Davis is a tackling machine able to make plays sideline to sideline. While he hasn't been much of a disruptor so far, that honor belongs to safety Johnny Faulk, Davis leads the team in tackles with 31. He'll had to find a way to stop RB Patrick Cobbs, who hit the 100-yard mark in each of the first two games before being held to 34 by Kansas State. He ran through MTSU for 103 yards and a touchdown, and with the way QB Daniel Meagher is throwing, he'll have to carry the offense again. What will happen: It's North Texas at home in a big Sun Belt game. Troy has the better offense and the better defense, but the Mean Green always finds a way to get the job done. This time around, it'll win capitalizing on turnovers. CFN Prediction: North Texas 21 ... Troy 17 ... Line: North Texas -2 | Make your pick and compete against others Must See Rating: (5 lock yourself in a room to watch - 1 The Adam Carolla Project) ... 3 Final Score:

From the official site Live At Fouts Field On Tuesday Night Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 10/03/2005 DENTON (10/3/05) - The North Texas football team plays conference opponent Troy on Tuesday night at 6:30 pm in Fouts Field. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 with Dave Barnett handling play-by-play duties. The Mean Green is currently tied with Boise State for the nation’s longest conference winning streak at 26. North Texas has won four straight conference titles and has played in four consecutive bowl games. The Trojans are coming off their first bowl appearance in the program’s inaugural year of action in the Sun Belt. Troy opened the season with a win against Cal Poly, but has since dropped three straight to Alabama-Birmingham, Missouri and South Carolina. Patrick Cobbs has rushed for over 100 yards in every Sun Belt Conference game where he was the starting running back, including this year’s season-opener at Middle Tennessee. Cobbs has now started seven times against Sun Belt foes and has averaged and 13 yards. Thomas has been nursing the hamstring throughout fall practice which has slowed his ability to recapture the form that helped him lead the nation in rushing last year while averaging 180.1 yards per game.177.3 yards rushing in those games. He has gone over 200 yards rushing in four of those seven games. Cobbs started six Sun Belt games in 2003 before being injured for the entire conference season in 2004. Throughout the night, the North Texas Athletic Department will be giving away prizes for students, including t-shirts, parking passes and gift packs. In addition to 3,000 free t-shirts, there will be four quarters of student giveways. Student-athletes are not eligible for awards. All night is dollar hot dogs. First quarter free premium parking pass Second quarter free premium parking pass and a $250 gift certificate for books Third quarter free premium parking pass and a $500 gift certificate for books Fourth quarter free premium parking pass and a $5,000 gift pack including in-state tuition, fees, books and housing.

College Football Poll........... North Texas -5 vs Troy http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/weekly_picks.html

Harmon Forecast....... North Texas 20 Troy 13 http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/8820391 Mejias Picks.......North Texas 24 Troy 16 http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/exclusives/mejia

Now at UNT -2.5.

Football: UNT safety racking up on tackles 08:16 AM CDT on Monday, October 3, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Aaron Weathers’ performance has been a classic case of good news, bad news for North Texas this season. The sophomore has led the Mean Green in tackles in every game and been one of the team’s most consistent players. That’s the good news. Unfortunately for the Mean Green, Weathers is also a safety and often the last line of defense. Seeing the former Coffey-ville (Kan.) Community College standout make play after play has been bad news for UNT, because he often makes them down the field. The Mean Green (1-2, 1-0) hope to see Weathers continue to thrive while asking him to make fewer plays on Tuesday when they host Troy (1-3, 0-0) in their second Sun Belt Confer-ence game of the year. “Aaron has been a pleasant surprise for us,” UNT coach Darrell Dickey said. “It’s good that our safety is a good tackler, but it would be a lot better if the ball was not getting back there to him as high a percentage of the time as it is.” Weathers has already made 31 tackles. He leads the Sun Belt Conference and is tied for 27th nationally with an average of 10.3 tackles a game. Weathers, who has also intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, in the only player in the Sun Belt averaging more than 9.3 tackles a game. Weathers attributes his quick start to arriving at UNT over the summer to get a head start on preparing for the season and the reception he received when he got to Denton. “The players and coaches have welcomed me in and helped me adapt,” Weathers said. “They have encouraged me to work hard and play hard, even though I came from the outside as a junior college player.” Weathers’ arrival in Denton could be attributed at least in part to the close connections UNT has with Coffeyville. UNT has signed a host of players from the school, including defensive backs T.J. Covington and cornerback Gary Oubre, not to mention defensive end Willie Ransom, over the last few years. Weathers spent two years at Coffeyville, but redshirted during his first season due to an injury. By the end of his sophomore year, he completed the academic requirements necessary to transfer to a Division I school. UNT’s coaches found out Weathers had the qualifications to transfer after playing just one season and quickly offered him a scholarship. “When I came to North Texas, it felt like a good place to go,” Weathers said. “The coaches were real cool and wanted me to improve in the classroom and on the field. Education is really important to me. I love Coffeyville, but it was better for me to get out because I was already eligible to transfer.” So far, Weathers has thrived at UNT while helping fill the Mean Green’s void at safety. UNT lost starters Jonas Buckles and Markeith Knowlton after last season. “We felt after losing Jonas and Markeith that we needed some safety help,” Dickey said. “He is doing exactly what we want done, but he still has to get a better feel for what his jobs are.” This week those jobs will include helping the Mean Green bounced back from a pair of blowout losses in a critical Sun Belt Conference game. UNT slipped past Middle Tennessee 14-7 in its season and Sun Belt opener before losing to Tulsa and Kansas State by a combined score of 108-9. Dickey attributes UNT’s struggles to a host of mistakes the Mean Green are making both offensively and defensively. UNT gave up six plays of more than 40 yards last week against KSU. Weathers will play a key role in UNT’s efforts to cut down on that number against Troy. The Trojans are traditionally a running team, but are led by quarterback Carl Meadows this season. The junior ranks fifth in the Sun Belt with an average of 168.8 passing yards a game. That average appears troublesome for a UNT defense that ranks seventh out of the eight teams in the Sun Belt against the pass with an average of 247 yards allowed a game. While UNT has not performed well defensively since its season-opening opening win over MTSU, Weathers believes the Mean Green will be ready for Troy, a team that will challenge UNT’s secondary early and often. “Every game we are doing better with our assignments,” Weathers said. “We are concentrating on the small things that can make us better as a group.” Briefly … Former UNT defensive back Ilias Simpson spoke to the team after practice on Saturday about overcoming adversity. Simpson spent the last few weeks working in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina tore through the city. Simpson served in the Air Force National Guard while lettering for the Mean Green in 2003 and 2004. He is still with the guard, but expects to be commissioned as an officer in the Air Force in the next few months. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

Total attendance was a little over 37,000.

Lady's soccer & volleyball both 2-0 in conference. CONGRATS ! Slavonic Scores The Game Winner In OT To Lift The Mean Green Over South Alabama Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 10/02/2005 DENTON, Tex. (10/2/05) – Sophomore forward Dani Slavonic scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the North Texas women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over South Alabama at the Mean Green Soccer Complex. The win extends the Mean Green’s unbeaten streak to nine straight games and marks the sixth straight year that North Texas (7-2-2, 2-0) has started Sun Belt Conference play at 2-0. Courtesy: Rick Yeatts Dani Slavonic scored the game-winning goal against South Alabama Full story of soccer win from official http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...0&ATCLID=195022 Mean Green Volleyball Sweeps Troy For Second Straight Win Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 10/02/2005 WICHITA, Kan. (10/2/05) -- The North Texas volleyball team (8-11, 2-0) recorded a season-high .307 attack percentage in a 30-20, 30-19, 30-19 victory over Troy (7-7, 1-3) on Sunday in a Sun Belt Conference match. The Mean Green remained perfect in Sun Belt play and won its eighth match in its last 11 outings. Courtesy: Rick Yeatts Jessica Hulsebosch finished the Troy match with a team-high 15 digs Volleyball win story from official site. http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...0&ATCLID=195033

Stardust is first out. UNT -3 vs Troy http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/

FWIW, here's the Sun Belt home attendance so far. With only 1 home game, ours will probably change dramatically on Tuesday. Number of home games in parenthesis 23,112 North Texas (1) 22,167 Arkansas State (3) (Includes KC 'home game') 20,418 Troy (2) 18,328 UL-Monroe (2) 17,802 UL-Lafayette (2) 16,609 Middle Tennessee (2) 16,512 Florida International (1) 13,924 Florida Atlantic (2)

Football: Together again Malone, Bell reunited on Mean Green football staff 09:04 AM CDT on Sunday, October 2, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer When Bruce Bell arrived at the scene of the accident almost 20 years ago, his van was crunched on a curb and one of his favorite pupils was staring at the ground. Bell was the track coach and defensive coordinator at Houston Waltrip during that afternoon in 1988 when he entrusted Van Malone to drive a few members of the track team home after a workout. DRC/Gary Payne University of North Texas assistant coach Bruce Bell, right, has been joined on the Mean Green staff by Van Malone, left, this season. Bell coached Malone while they were both at Waltrip High School in Houston. The group didn’t get very far before Malone plowed over a curb, blew out two of the van’s tires and bent both wheels. “When I got to him his head was down and he couldn’t say anything,” Bell said. “I told him not to worry about it and if that was the worst thing that happens, then we are in good shape.” That accident has been a source of laughs this fall now that Bell and Malone are both members of the coaching staff at North Texas. Bell, 51, is serving as UNT’s running backs coach and recruiting coordinator this fall, while Malone, 35, is in his first year as the Mean Green’s defensive backs coach. Bell has announced that he will retire after national signing day in February to work with the NFL’s Junior Player Development Program, an organization that tutors players ages 12-14 at schools that lack offseason programs. That announcement left Malone one year to learn about coaching and life while working in a unique situation with his mentor. “Coach Bell was a big influence on me and is a part of the reason I coach,” Malone said. “He has done so much for me and a lot of other players through the years. A lot of my best friends are other guys who played for coach Bell. We always talk about what an influence he was on our lives.” The players and coaches who know Bell best say that his greatest asset during 29 years as a high school and college coach has been his ability to develop a personal relationship with players and direct them toward productive careers on the field and successful lives after sports. “In coaching you are a brother, a father, a best friend and a teacher,” Malone said. “I was fortunate to have a mom and dad at home, but a lot of guys don’t. Coach Bell provides that guidance and is a role model. He is old, but he has a young personality, handles players on their level and relates well to them. I try to pattern myself after him and what he has done.” Establishing a legacy Bell’s personal approach has paid off during his tenure at UNT, where he has left his mark both as a coach and a recruiting coordinator. All told, Bell has coached at UNT for six years between terms as a high school coach and administrator. During his short time at UNT from 1998-2000 and 2003 through this season, he has overseen the signing of one of the top recruiting classes in recent Mean Green history and helped bring Malone to Denton. Bell has spent the last three seasons as UNT’s recruiting coordinator and orchestrated the signing of the Mean Green’s 2004 class that was ranked 72nd nationally by Rivals.com, a Web site that covers college football recruiting. The group that has already produced six starters is considered one of the best classes UNT has signed in the last few years. Bell’s greatest legacy, however, will likely be coaching three of the best running backs to ever pull on a Mean Green uniform. Senior Patrick Cobbs and Ja’Quay Wilburn rank first and second in Mean Green history in rushing with 3,133 yards and 3,120 yards, respectively. Sophomore Jamario Thomas is closing on both of those players after setting UNT’s single season rushing record with 1,801 yards last year. All three have spent at least part of their careers with Bell as their running backs coach. “Coach Bell has helped me a lot,” Thomas said. “He knows my weaknesses and helps me get better. He is a great coach and helps us enjoy playing the game.” Bringing in a friend While Bell is best known as UNT’s running backs coach, he will also be remembered for helping bring Malone to Denton. The pair’s relationship started back at Waltrip, where Malone was part of a standout group of athletes that included longtime NFL wide receiver Keenan McCardell. “Van was a pretty good athlete,” Bell said. “If you asked him to lock someone down in man-to-man coverage, he could do it. He was one of my prized pupils.” Bell took Malone, a youngster from a rough part of town, under his wing because of his character as well as his talent. When Malone wasn’t fast enough to make Waltrip’s loaded sprint relay team, Bell kept him on as the track team’s manager. When Malone needed somewhere to go to just pass the time, he could often be found at Bell’s house. The relationship the two developed lasted even after Bell left Waltrip for Fort Bend Kempner before Malone’s senior year. Both have made several stops since during their careers. Bell bounced around between different coaching jobs, while Malone continued his playing career, first at the University of Texas from 1989-93 and then in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. Malone eventually retired from the NFL and started coaching on the high school level. Bell used his contacts to help Malone quickly advance through the coaching ranks at several stops, including stays at Division II North Dakota State and Division I Western Michigan. When UNT defensive backs coach Sam McElroy left after the 2004 season to become the head coach at Tarleton State, a Division II school in Stephenville, Bell pitched Malone as McElroy’s replacement to Mean Green head coach Darrell Dickey. “Bruce had mentioned Van’s name before and brought him up again when coach McElroy left,” Dickey said. “We are very pleased with him. He has had a positive effect on the program.” Senior cornerback T.J. Covington said Malone is an aggressive coach who has the attention and respect of players because of his NFL background and the ability to relate to players he learned from Bell. “It’s been real good playing for coach Malone,” Covington said. “He pushes us in practice because he says the harder he pushes us in practice, the easier games will be. I really like playing for him.” Watching Malone develop a rapport with UNT’s defensive backs has been rewarding for Bell. “To recommend Van to coach Dickey gave me a way to carry on what I believe in,” Bell said. “To come back to North Texas and finish my career here with him has been a blessing.” The legacy Bell will leave behind is a long and illustrious one. Bell not only helped establish UNT’s legacy of standout running backs, he also played for the Mean Green under legendary coach Hayden Fry from 1975-76. When UNT went through a series of down seasons a few years ago, Dickey called on Bell to talk about the his experiences during the Mean Green’s heyday and his faith that the team could return to its winning ways. Dickey said replacing Bell will be a tough task because of his UNT background in addition to his skills as a coach. Fortunately for the Mean Green, Bell will be around for a few more months to pass along what he has learned to the rest of UNT’s coaches. Malone said he will try to pick up all he can from Bell so he can carry on his mentor’s legacy. “It has been great to coach with Bell because it brings his career full circle,” Malone said. “By coaching here, I am allowing him to see the fruits of his labor.” BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

From Howell. NT -6.5 vs Troy http://www.jhowell.net/cf/cfpred.txt

Explosion Kills One at University of Oklahoma Saturday, October 01, 2005 •The University of Oklahoma NORMAN, Okla. — One person was killed in an explosion in a traffic circle about 100 yards from a packed football stadium at the University of Oklahoma (search) on Saturday night in what authorities were calling a suicide.

Misleading. Nearby, but NOT AT the game or INSIDE the stadium.