UNTLifer

I don't know Coach Etheridge and have never heard a player make any type of comment about him, but 4 All-Americans, 9 All-Conference Players and 2 NFLer's in 23 years of coaching is much to brag about, especially 9 All-Conference players.

Classic A close second.

And this is a high school team with less returning starters than North Texas had. It is amazing how soon some of these new starters gel. DRC.com Chuck Cox: Raiders beginning to chew up opponents 08:26 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Chuck Cox You’ve got to hand it to Ryan head coach Joey Florence and his coaching staff. After a demoralizing 40-14 loss at the hands of Highland Park on Aug. 27, in which Ryan committed seven turnovers, the Raiders have bounced back in a big way by winning three straight games, including a 38-17 victory in the District 5-5A opener against Keller last Thursday. Pretty impressive stuff. But perhaps even more noteworthy is the manner in which the Raiders (3-1, 1-0) are winning football games these days. Defensively, Ryan has given up its share of big plays. But in the last three games, the Raiders have always found a way to keep their opponents from piling on points. In fact, Denton, Dallas Lincoln and Keller combined to score just five more points combined (45) than the Scots did on Ryan in the season opener. The Raiders, who returned just six starters from last year’s 12-2 team, have also won the turnover battle each of the last three games, going from a minus-7 after one game to a minus-2 after four. Ryan did not turn the ball over at all against Keller. But it’s what Ryan has done on offense that is most intriguing. Even though they have far from abandoned their trademark high-octane passing game, the Raiders have taken a fancy to putting points on the board via their rushing attack. Ryan’s last nine touchdowns have come on the ground, a span of two straight games. For the season, the Raiders have scored 11 rushing touchdowns to just six through the air. And it seems as though each week Ryan unveils a new wrinkle to the backfield. After scoring both touchdowns against Highland Park through the air, Rowlett transfer Ricky Trujillo and returning starter Jaiston Sawyer had the team’s only two rushing touchdowns in a 50-14 win over Denton the following week. Against Lincoln, senior defensive back Greg Garden got his first three career carries, scoring touchdowns on two of them. Sawyer and Trujillo also added touchdowns to help the Raiders to a 29-14 win over the defending Class 4A Division II state runner-up. Then, Ryan threw something at Keller that is bound to leave scouts watching film on Ryan scrambling. The Raiders alternated quarterbacks Austin Knight and Chris Timny throughout the game. Knight threw for 163 yards, while Timny ran the option effectively, rushing for 34 yards and making some nice pitches that led to big gains for the Raiders. Timny, as he usually does, played receiver when he was not in at quarterback. But the Raiders also had Knight line up at receiver for some plays when Timny was in, at times seeming to send the Indian defense scrambling. On one short-yardage situation, Ryan even had three running backs in the backfield. Timny did not attempt a pass, but he did catch two balls for 17 yards. The results are hard to argue with. Sawyer torched the Keller defense for 146 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Trujillo had three more touchdowns and Knight added his first rushing touchdown of the season. Garden also had a solid game on offense, racking up 43 yards on six attempts As a team, the Raiders had 245 rushing yards and 163 passing against the Indians. For the season, Ryan is averaging 362 yards per game (214 passing, 148 rushing). Under Florence, the Raiders have always had a strong ground game with standout running backs like Earl Goldsmith and Sawyer, along with very mobile quarterbacks like James Battle and Justin Willis. They’ve still got that when Timny is in. But the difference this season is the way in which Ryan is running the ball and the amount of players involved in the running game. Four different Raiders already have rushing touchdowns. And knowing Florence, that number will likely go up in the coming weeks. One of Ryan’s biggest strengths is its versatility on offense. In addition to mixing it up when running the ball, the Raiders have eight different receivers with at least one catch. Defenses are going to have an awfully hard time trying to figure out just what they need to focus on to try to stop Ryan. These are definitely not your older brother’s Raiders. Except, of course, for the whole winning thing.

DRC.com Football: Record run Loss to KSU overshadows Cobbs’ milestone 08:36 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer When North Texas coach Darrell Dickey stopped Monday to look back on a record night by running back Patrick Cobbs, it wasn’t the yards the senior gained or the cuts he executed that made the biggest impression. Patrick Cobbs It was the attitude Cobbs displayed after a 54-7 loss to Kansas State spoiled his night. Cobbs wasn’t excited about becoming the all-time leading rusher in Mean Green history with 3,133 yards, he was disappointed after UNT suffered a second straight lopsided loss. “It says a lot about Patrick that after the game he was not that concerned about the record, even though it is something that he is proud of and will reflect on later,” Dickey said. “He was very disappointed that we didn’t play any better.” Cobbs has played a key role in making sure the Mean Green have played up to their potential during his decorated career that started back in the 2001 season. The former Tecumseh, Okla., standout has played three full seasons and helped lead UNT to the Sun Belt Conference title and a berth in the New Orleans Bowl each time. Cobbs spent last season as a redshirt after a series of injuries cut his campaign short. His contributions as an unofficial coach helped his understudy Jamario Thomas thrive and lead UNT back to the New Orleans Bowl for a fourth straight year. Cobbs returned for a second shot at his senior season this year and a chance to pass Ja’Quay Wilburn’s UNT record rushing total of 3,120 yards. Patrick Cobbs Cobbs needed just three games to roll past the mark, although his night against KSU didn’t go as planned. “I guess I got it, but it could have come at a better time,” Cobbs said. “It was a bitter way to get it.” There were several much more memorable moments that helped lead Cobbs to the top of UNT’s career rushing list (see chart). The Mean Green and Cobbs are hoping a few more will be on the way soon. “It’s quite a tribute to Patrick that during his career here that he has done the things necessary to become the leading rusher at North Texas,” Dickey said. “It would have been better if we would have played better and give ourselves a chance to win, but that does not take away from what he has done in his career.” Alexander to get added time Offensive lineman Josh Alexander will receive additional playing time during the Mean Green’s game against Troy on Oct. 4, UNT coach Darrell Dickey said Monday. The sophomore has served as UNT’s backup left tackle during the first three games of the season. Dickey said giving Alexander additional time is one of a series of moves UNT is considering on its offensive line. The Mean Green are averaging just 103 rushing yards a game, despite featuring Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas, the last two national rushing champions. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com. PATRICK COBBS COBBS MEMORABLE GAMES The following is a look at some of Patrick Cobbs most memorable games. The senior broke Ja’Quay Wilburn’s career rushing record when he pushed his total to 3,133 yards with 34 yards against Kansas State on Saturday. 2005 North Texas 14, Middle Tennessee 7 Cobbs rushed for 103 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in his return to UNT’s lineup after missing all but the first two games of the 2004 season with a series of injuries. The performance helped set up Cobbs’ record-breaking performance against Kansas State. 2003 North Texas 24, Idaho 14 Cobbs rushed for what was a UNT record 249 yards against the Vandals and scored three touchdowns. He carried the ball on all nine plays in a 52-yard touchdown drive that clinched the win. North Texas 13, New Mexico State 10 Cobbs posted his fourth 200-yard game of the season when he recorded 216 yards in a victory over the Aggies that extended the Mean Green’s winning streak to eight games. 2002 North Texas 41, Louisiana-Monroe 2 Cobbs set what was a career high with 128 yards rushing and tied a school record with four rushing touchdowns. 2001 North Texas 50, Idaho 27 Cobbs rushed for a team high 112 yards and the Mean Green claimed the Sun Belt title and a berth in the New Orleans Bowl with a win over the Vandals

RV shouldn't have to take care of this issue as people are arriving. They need to get their act together long before then.

I too am glad that DD is not bashing the fans. My complaints have always been: * The "I coach at poor ol' North Texas" attitude. * The past fan bashing. * The lack of imagination in the game plan and the lack of in-game adjustments. * The lack of discipline shown by some on the team from the classroom to the courtroom. * The inability to connect with the fan base and excite the masses about the program. * The apparent lack of appreciation towards the fans. For example, the last scrimmage of the fall was advertised as a meet the players function, and they ran off the field once the practice concluded. * Not taking the time to meet the prospective donors the GGII brought out. The last two could be a lack of communication within the department. I just look at people like Urban Meyer that connects with the student body, exudes excitement, visits with the alumni groups, etc... and wonder why DD never does this. I also can't figure out how having a HC and OC that were former collegiate QB's could result in such an unimaginative gameplan and lack of in-game adjustments.

This from a player's parent says volumes!

My position at work will require me to stay behind in Houston. My wife and family are secure in Waco. I will continue to update all of you from the coast as time and electricity allows. What a welcome to Houston. Been here 5 1/2 months, been in my new house two weeks and now this. And I thought the Tulsa Hurricanes were tough.

MG POP, this is absolutely no "shot" at any of our players, but this was one of the worst losses ever for North Texas. Why? All of the hoopla over Cobbs and Thomas, continued success in our conference, a great crowd with MANY NEW FACES IN IT TO SEE WHAT THE HOOPLA WAS ABOUT, and we laid an egg. This will have negative effects on the future attendance, recruiting because we recruit the same kids that Tulsa does and on the future fundraising. No offense to Tulsa, but we should never lose to them by 52 points or in the fashion that we lost to them. I was utterly embarrassed, and I have been following North Texas football since the late 60's.

Whoever taught PMG to add color and change the size of his font should be shot.

I've been going to Fouts since the late 60's. I'm well aware of where it stands in the "dump-heap" rankings, but I've talked to too many people that have been to Tulsa that said it was in terrible shape. I'm glad to see they are remodeling.

More seats doesn't equate into nicer stadium. It is in poor shape.

I still don't think DD gets a free ride on this and RF gets the blame. Doesn't Flanigan work for DD? Isn't DD the Head Coach and responsible for the product he puts on the field? You don't think DD is involved in the game planning? You mean to tell me that DD just goes along with everything RF does, no questions asked? Come on. DD is the Head Coach and this team runs his system.

I'm not trying to dump anything on the officials, I just found it curious that these weren't Sun Belt officials. True Fouts isn't the best stadium around, but I would wager a bet that it is better than Tulsa's dump.

asked. I wasnt' able to attend, but listened from Houston, and George and Hank mentioned that the officials were a CUSA crew. Why would we not have Sun Belt officials considering this was our home game?

No, the coaches do need to be bitched at for the playcalling too. Did anyone not expect every team we play this year to run the same defense as Southern Miss did? Our passing game is an embarrassment. We have Quinn, Muzzy, Nwigwe, Jackson, etc... to throw the ball to, yet most of our pass plays are play action. Play action doesn't work when you aren't running the ball consistently. Play action doesn't work when your OL can't provide protection. Our passing game is either a "heave it down field and hope Quinn out jumps the defender" or a play action roll out to hit someone in the flat. There is no imagination to our offense. Absolutely none and this is our coaches fault. It still amazes me that we have former QB's as a HC and OC, yet we run the most unimaginative offense in the nation, including high schools.

Why does everyone keep asking Flanigan what gives? It's Dickey's offense. Here's a question for all of you, How in the world can a team with former QB's as the Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator not prepare a quarterback to lead a team? How can they run such an offense with so little imagination?

Please tell how this is not Dickey's fault, but possibly Flanigan's? Does Flanigan work for Dickey? Is Dickey not the Head Coach and responsible for his players and coaches performances? This loss is utterly embarrasing, and we just lost a lot of new fans that attended this game. I hope you realize that this loss sets this program way back. Sure, the diehards will continue to attend as always, but not the new fans that showed up expecting to see the North Texas team with the last two rushing champions. North Texas was not prepared, has discipline problems, got thoroughly out-coached, and you say it is not Dickey's fault? Please explain.

La-Lafayette was noted as the "fattest" university.

Anyone know the real reason she left the team?

Bring back the "Piss Wall!"

Hall to Marshal to seal the "Miracle in the Desert."

Calling a draw on 3rd and long.

I love this, in fact, I think they should add a big digital number to the side of Fouts that states "Now Serving" and have the current number below.

untplaymaker has lost credibility with me. Last year he was our hurricane prognosticator and nothing happened. This year untplaymaker's all quiet on the hurricane front and Katrina whipes out the Gulf Coast. No he's complaining about the DRC.