Keith7

Sooners aren't smart enough to know what humility is.. Their minds are stuck at a 5th grade level, thats just how it is in Oklahoma..

I knew Meager would pull it out.. he will be a totally different QB in a system that will play to his strengths.. He grew up running the spread offense, and knows it well.. Did anyone really expect him to prosper in Dickey's run first offense?? He didn't have a chance.. Meager will be good this season, I think anyone who saw the spring game saw signs of brillance.. Thats not to say that Vizza won't have his chance before this season is up, but for the mean time Meager is the best chance for us to win now and I'm glad Dodge saw it that way too...

I used to live there or i'd help you out.. you could park at wal mart, or the shopping center across hwy. 82 from walmart, if its only for a day I doubt they will mind..

shoot I have 5 people who would play them if they needed a filler.. but we refuse to play at the pit.. UNT must come to our back yard

maybe when the linebackers can show me they can play zone coverage, i'll be sold on this defense, but based on what they did last year, i'm not that impressed.. I would take the '03 defense by a landslide

lets just hope Mike Vick never gets a hold of the Sun Belt sorry I couldn't resist

I have a league set up w/ a few friends that has some extra spots open if anyone is interested.. This league you have to pick defensive players too so it really tests your GM skills... anyways to join go to yahoo fantasy sports page and click sign up for fantasy football from there it becomes pretty self explanitory.. The league number is 242670 and the password is drpepper feel free to join and if you have any friends who want to play invite them too, this should be a fun and active league

I talked to Mr. Fulce on Facebook and I don't think he really wants to come to UNT from the way it sounded

already w/ my boy d-mac about to get that horse collar tackle

Thanks for the info, and I share your pain on the parking situation around the rec center, the walk from fouts to the rec center can be a headache, esp. after working out..

should I expect my classes to be dropped sometime?? Am I going to walk out to a boot next time I park up there? just curious if anyone knows the reprecusions

North Texas Preview (All information as of June 20, 2007) North Texas Mean Green LOCATION Denton, Texas CONFERENCE Sun Belt LAST SEASON 3-9 (.250) CONFERENCE RECORD 2-5 (6th) OFF. STARTERS RETURNING 5 DEF. STARTERS RETURNING 10 NICKNAME Mean Green COLORS Green & White HOME FIELD Fouts Field (30,500) HEAD COACH Todd Dodge (Texas '87) RECORD AT SCHOOL First Year CAREER RECORD First Year ASSISTANTS • Todd Ford (Texas '95), Offensive Coordinator • Ron Mendoza (New Mexico Highlands), Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers • Robert Drake (Howard Payne '82), Special Teams/Defensive Line • Clayton George (North Texas '94), Wide Receivers • Chuck Peterson (Air Force '85), Safeties • Butch Lacroix (Houston '80), Cornerbacks • David Rausch (Hardin-Simmons '00), Defensive Ends • Shelton Gandy (Southern Miss '98), Running Backs • Spencer Leftwich (Stephen F. Austin '85), Offensive Line TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.) 8-9-7-2-3 FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) 64-61-91-114-113 2006 FINISH Lost to Louisiana-Monroe in regular-season finale. COACH AND PROGRAM For most of us, the difference between Friday night and Saturday afternoon is a few hours. But when you're a football coach, the two are usually separated by years of hard work and good fortune. Normally, a high school coach has to latch on as a position coach at a university, work his way up to a coordinator job and hope and pray his phone rings when a head-coaching gig opens up somewhere. But once in a blue moon, a coach will skip a step -- make the jump from leading prep stars under the Friday-night lights to leading a college team out of the tunnel and into the Sat-urday afternoon sunlight. The most famous example of this is Gerry Faust, who was plunked out of Cincinnati high school in 1981 by Notre Dame and handed the reins to the nation's most storied college football program. Faust had built the football program at Moeller High School from scratch and led it to an impressive 174-17-2 record. Notre Dame administrators took note of Faust's seven undefeated seasons, the school's four national titles and the bevy of solid players he sent on to the collegiate level. Faust always said the only way he would leave Moeller is if Notre Dame came calling, and after Dan Devine resigned in 1980, he received the phone call he had always dreamed about. Faust had hopes of winning national titles and staying at Notre Dame for the rest of his coaching career, but it didn't work out that way. After looking at the 1981 schedule, the reality of the challenge he was facing hit home. "I hope my lifelong dream doesn't end in a nightmare," he said. Unfortunately, it did. Faust went 30-26-1 at Notre Dame and never won more than seven games in a season before being shown the door after the 1985 season. Almost exactly 25 years later, Todd Dodge's phone rang, and he accepted the head-coaching job at North Texas. Like Faust, Dodge dominated at the high school level, going 96-11 with three national titles to go along with five of the last six Texas Class 5A championships in his seven years at Southlake Carroll High School in Texas. "I'm representing Texas high school coaches," Dodge said when he was hired. "It's not very often that a guy like me gets an opportunity like this." Dodge was being modest. Before he made the leap to North Texas, Dodge had been offered a job as an assistant on Bill Parcells' Dallas Cowboys staff, and Rice had been interested in him as a head coach. Unlike Faust, Dodge isn't a stranger to the college game -- he served as offensive coordinator at North Texas in the early '90s before taking a string of high school head coaching gigs. That's one reason it isn't fare to compare Faust and Dodge. Another more obvious reason -- North Texas is not Notre Dame. While a record barely hovering above the .500 mark started the "Oust Faust" movement in South Bend, a similar record over the next five years could earn Dodge some votes for mayor in Denton given the Mean Green's combined five wins over the last two seasons. Dodge knows his way around the college game. In his time at the controls of North Texas' offense, the Mean Green averaged 348 yards and 26 points per game, proving that Dodge has a knack for hatching game plans that can work on the college level. So while Faust's hiring at Notre Dame was referred to as "The Bold Experiment," Dodge's hiring is more of "A Calculated Risk." The charismatic coach knows his Xs and O's, his spread offense is fan friendly, and his larger-than-life reputation on the storied Texas high school football circuit have already caused a buzz in Denton. So stir the echoes, because something is going to be repeating itself -- whether it's history or Dodge's success on the high school level remains to be seen. QUARTERBACKS Dodge's offense -- dubbed "Dodge Ball" -- is a quarterback's dream -- wide receivers galore, running backs flaring out of the backfield as safety valves, the defense scrambling to cover all the options. But none of the three quarterbacks vying to run the brand new spread offense has been a coach's dream so far. All three guys had an opportunity to be the man last year, but nobody showed the ability to handle the pressure of the starting job. If there's anybody who can kick-start the play at quarterback, it's Dodge. He played quarterback at Texas and still ranks in the top-10 in a few passing categories two decades after wrapping up his collegiate career. Matt Phillips (6-1, 224) was the starter at the beginning of last season, but Woody Wilson (6-1, 176) took the job two games later only to lose it to Daniel Meager (6-1, 196), who started the final six games. But even though Meager was the starter down the stretch, he struggled so much that Phillips had to come on in relief in four of those six games. Suffice it to say nobody has much of an advantage heading into the fall. Wilson, a senior, had a 60 percent completion ratio, but he threw only two touchdowns against eight interceptions. Meager, a junior, also completed more than 50 percent of his throws, but interceptions were also a problem; he threw six of them. Phillips really came on at the end of the season during his relief appearances, but the junior still managed to complete only 48 percent of his throws. With nobody showing the ability to separate from the pack, Dodge expects a pair of freshman to be in the mix when practice starts in the fall. Nathan Tune (6-3, 195), a redshirt freshman, will have a shot at the job along with freshman Giovanni Vizza (6-1, 195). Vizza is a highly touted recruit from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio. He was selected the offensive player of the year in Texas by some publications, and he flourished in a system similar to the one Dodge is installing. RUNNING BACKS For the last few years, the Mean Green offense has only gone as far as its running backs could carry it. Relying on a plodding, run-heavy attack, Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas (5-11, 210) racked up the rushing yards and shouldered most of the offensive burden. While both guys picked up NCAA rushing titles in the system, Cobbs and Thomas showed signs of wear and tear because of all of the carries. The offense has ground to a halt over the last couple years as well, last season ranking 117th in the nation in total yards while averaging only 13.5 points a game over the last two seasons. So the spread offense is a sight for sore eyes in Denton, and it will take much of the load off the running backs. But while the days of "three yards and a cloud of dust" are coming to a close, Dodge warns against assuming the running game will be neglected. The backs will be an important part of the new system, and they'll be put in positions to make plays in the open field instead of just between the tackles. Thomas, who led the nation in rushing as a freshman, has been slowed down by injuries the last two years. But the senior is back, seems to be healthy and is hoping to return to form for his final go-around. Thomas appeared in 11 games last year and led the team with 668 rushing yards, but his 3.7 yards-per-carry average shows he was nowhere near the form he was in as a freshman. Senior Deavin Cox (5-9, 191) has been around and is a good insurance policy in case Thomas can't stay healthy. Cox carried 58 times for 204 yards a year ago. The biggest obstacle standing between Thomas and the starting job will be junior college transfer Cam Montgomery (6-1, 213). Montgomery racked up 1,335 yards on 226 carries for Northeast Mississippi Junior College. WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS The Mean Green loses a trio of receivers who made a combined 70 receptions last season, but the big loss was Johnny Quinn. Quinn was easily North Texas' biggest threat, snagging 57 passes for 633 yards and four scores. With Quinn gone, the battle for playing time will be fierce, and Dodge's new offense will make it all the more pressing that a handful of receivers step up and perform. Brandon Jackson (6-1, 208) figures to be the primary target. Jackson was the second-leading receiver last season with 17 catches for 188 yards. But life will be different for the senior in the absence of Quinn. Jackson will not only have to adjust to the tougher defense he will encounter as the top receiver, he will have to provide leadership for a young group of receivers. Last year at this time, Korey Washington (5-10, 186) was a defensive back, but thanks to his 4.4 speed and the lack of experience at receiver, he will be lining up in the slot this fall. With a new offense being installed, everyone will be starting from square one, so the sophomore has a good chance of starting. Walk-on Casey Fitzgerald (5-11, 174) didn't see many balls come his way in 2006, but he made every catch count. Fitzgerald caught four passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns, and the junior should see some action in three-receiver sets. Beyond the few returning players, there are six freshman hitting campus this fall looking to work their way up the depth chart and into the lineup. The two who seem primed to crack the lineup are Sam Dibrell (6-2, 205) and Breece Johnson (6-1, 175). The pair of freshman will be able to provide size to an undersized unit. Between them they scored 39 touchdowns in their last seasons of high school football, so they bring the promise of emerging as playmakers at the next level. OFFENSIVE LINE For years, the North Texas offensive line opened holes and kept the running game going, but the unit will be Dodge's biggest challenge in his first season. The Mean Green lost three key cogs, leaving two returning starters to lead the way. Dylan Lineberry and Joel Foster had been stalwarts along the offensive front for years, but the duo is out of eligibility. Jeremy Brown had a year remaining and could have helped tremendously, but he opted to forego his final year after receiving his diploma. Adam Venegas (6-3, 293) and Chad Rose (6-3, 274) return, and their leadership skills will be as important as their blocking skills as they help the Mean Green get through this time or transition. Venegas, a senior, started all 12 games at left guard a year ago and will be relied upon to maintain his durability and to help protect the quarterback's blindside. Rose started at center for most of last season, but Kelvin Drake (6-2, 300) worked his way into the rotation and seems set to start in the middle of the line this year. This opens the door for Rose to possibly move to the right guard slot vacated by Lineberry, helping the Mean Green fill one of their holes. Drake, a sophomore, saw most of his action in the final four games of the 2006 season and should be a force at center if he continues his progression. That leaves the tackle slots unoccupied, but a pair of youngsters emerged in the spring and appear to have the inside line on the starting positions. Sophomore Robert Peachy (6-5, 279) played in eight games last year and was close to taking over the starting job by the end of last season. After a good spring, he seems poised to be an opening day starter. Matt Menard (6-5, 275) was a defensive lineman in high school, but after a redshirt season in which he learned the footwork, he seems ready to start. Esteban Santiago (6-5, 275) will probably work his way into the rotation at guard after starting the season as a reserve. Santiago, a freshman, spent a week at guard during the spring and made his presence known. Meanwhile, Josh Alexander (6-3, 289) will try to bounce back from a knee injury to offer some experience and ability at tackle. The senior missed all of last season along with spring drills, but if he comes back healthy in the fall, it will be a big boost to the unit. KICKERS For the third-straight year, the Mean Green will have a new place-kicker. Denis Hopovac handled the duties last year and did a respectable job, making 15-of-21 field goal tests in his final season in Denton. Now red-shirt freshman Steven Woodward (5-11, 170) takes over after sitting out in 2006. Woodward hails from Jenks High School in Tulsa and should be a serviceable replacement. Although he doesn't have great leg strength, Woodward is accurate from about 40 yards and closer. After watching Hopovac miss three field goals from inside 30 yards a year ago, the Mean Green faithful will be able to forgive Woodward for not booming 50 yarders as long as he doesn't make a habit of missing the chip shots. DEFENSIVE LINE After North Texas switched to a 3-4 defense last season to feature a strong group of linebackers, Dodge has opted to switch back to the 4-3 this year. The move to the three-man front made sense a year ago -- after the Mean Green got blistered to the tune of 2,430 rushing yards in 2005, the decision was made to get an extra linebacker onto the field. And it worked, too -- opponents managed only 1,790 yards last year, but the defensive front wasn't able to mount much of a pass rush. But with a pair of athletic ends and more stability at tackle, there is no reason for a weak pass rush to weigh down the defense again this year. All-conference performer Jeremiah Chapman (6-4, 234) and returning starter Blake Burress (6-7, 263) will bookend the line at the end positions. Chapman, a senior, was a beast last season, recording 53 tackles, 10 of them for loss, and a team-high 4.5 sacks. With opposing defenses concentrating on containing Chapman, Burress will need to be more effective than he was a year ago. Even though the senior started nine games, he managed only eight tackles. With size like Burress possesses, a breakout season is in order. There are three solid options who will split time at the two tackle slots. Montey Stephenson (6-2, 290), Joseph Miller (6-3, 275) and Isaac Thomas (5-11, 289) will be the guys on the inside. Stephenson had a solid year in 2006, registering 33 tackles, six of them behind the line of scrimmage. If Burress proves to be unproductive early, don't be surprised to see Stephenson slide over and play the end opposite Chapman, but the senior will start the season on the interior. Miller, a junior, racked up 30 tackles as a reserve last year and figures to be a great run stopper for the Mean Green. Thomas had 11 tackles as a backup, but his size and experience will earn the junior a slot in the rotation. Jonathon Stewart (6-2, 266) will be able to provide some depth on the interior and at the end slots. The sophomore has the size to play inside and the quickness to generate a pass rush from the outside, so it remains to be seen where he will be put to use. LINEBACKERS The only downside to the 4-3 will be that the Mean Green will have to take a linebacker off the field. This unit is loaded. Seven of the returning players started at least one game a year ago, but Maurice Holman (6-1, 224) is the star of the show. Holman collected 74 tackles and a pair of sacks from his outside linebacker slot last year, earning the senior all-conference honors for the second year in a row. Brandon Monroe (6-2, 234) should start at the other outside slot after seeing most of his action as a reserve a year ago. The senior saw plenty of playing time, making 38 tackles thanks to a good mix of size, speed and tackling ability. Former walk-on Derek Mendoza (6-1, 242) has been the starter in the middle off and on for his whole career, but he will have the position to himself in 2007. The senior started in spots last year, but he served mostly as a reserve while making 41 tackles. Mendoza is the prototypical hard-nosed middle linebacker, known for his big hits and toughness. Germaine Dawson (6-1, 207) has been downsized after making 54 tackles last year. After starting at the fourth linebacker position on a regular basis in 2006, the junior will now be called upon to provide depth. Toby Nwigwe (6-2, 237), sophomore, will also provide depth after making 35 tackles last year. DEFENSIVE BACKS There was a lot of concern about a young group of corners before last season, but as it turned out, they did a heck of a job. The unit kept receivers from roaming all over the secondary, helping North Texas hold opposing offenses to the lowest passing average at the school since 2002. But when you talk about the defensive backfield, you've got to start with the safeties. Aaron Weathers (5-11, 194) and Ray Loren (6-2, 205) are back after a solid year in 2006. After bursting onto the scene with a 133-tackle effort in 2005, Weathers settled for a modest 78 stops last season, still good enough to lead the team. Although the senior doesn't have the size of most safeties, he has plenty of quickness and obviously is physical enough to make tackles. The former junior college player is primed for another great year, especially with the talent around him. Loren emerged as the starter last year and recorded 33 tackles in seven starts despite missing a chunk of the year with a broken hand. The senior is healthy and looking to make more of an impact this time around. Antoine Bush (5-11, 176) and Dominique Green (5-11, 177) are back after starting virtually all of last season. Bush, a sophomore, had a great first year in the rotation in 2006, making 42 tackles to go along with an interception. Despite making 33 tackles last year and playing well, Green, a junior, will have a hard time holding onto his starting job. That's because Latif Nurudeen (6-1, 200) has arrived from Baylor with all the tools to provide the Mean Green with the impact corner they have so sorely lacked. Nurundeen, a junior, has the combination of size and speed that could allow him to make life difficult for receivers around the league. PUNTERS After being forced into action as a freshman, Truman Spencer (6-3, 206) came into his own as a sophomore in 2006. Spencer upped his punting average to 40.8 yards, downing 15 kicks inside the 20-yard line. The junior earned all-conference honors last year, and as the top returning punter in the league, he could very well move on up from the second team to the first team this time around. SPECIAL TEAMS On the bright side, the Mean Green managed to block five kicks last season and Spencer brought the punting game back to life. But there is plenty of work to be done after the return units managed to scrounge up only 18.1 yards on kickoffs and 7.4 yards on punts. The first order or business is to replace Johnny Quinn. Quinn was a playmaker, and he will be missed as a return man almost as much as he'll be missed as a receiver. With the top three return men gone from last year's team, the jobs will be uncertain until this fall. The only guy back with experience in the kick return department is wide receiver Brock Stickler (6-3, 225), who returned a pair of kicks last year. He will most likely compete for the return job with a crop of six new receivers who will arrive this fall. Brandon Jackson returned only one punt last year, but that gives him more experience than anyone else on the roster. But with Jackson expected to move into the role of a primary receiver, odds are someone else will be given the treacherous job of fielding punts. BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS As the Todd Dodge era begins at North Texas, there is reason for optimism. After all, football is football, and Dodge has proven that he knows the game well. But the new coach might want to study history or risk repeating it -- learning from Faust's mistakes will give him a fighting chance. Faust made a few critical errors in the early going at Notre Dame, and as a result, he lost the respect of his football team and never managed to regain it. First of all, Faust came to Notre Dame with a buddy-buddy persona, brushing aside discipline problems in an effort to make everyone like him. But after a short time of giving an inch and watching his players take a mile, Faust cracked down and became a strict disciplinarian, and it cost him a great deal of respect in the locker room. Second of all, Faust was never able to take the blame for losing, choosing to pass the buck to assistants and players alike. He even shuffled his assistants around so often that it eventually took a toll on the consistency of the offensive and defensive philosophies. To make a long story short, Dodge will have to be very careful to remain consistent, even when the losses start to pile up. Many things have changed in the last 25 years, but the tie that binds Faust to Dodge is that neither man was used to losing football games on the high school level. Faust didn't have to deal with the adversity of losing until he got to college, and he handled it badly. How Dodge deals with the unfamiliar territory of losing football games will go a long way in determining how successful he is in Denton. The important thing for Dodge will be to be consistent with his discipline, his game plan and his praise no matter what the scoreboard says each Saturday. With a tough schedule looming, there is a good chance the Mean Green will be a much better football team in 2007 and won't have many more wins to show for it. If Dodge can weather the storm, he will keep his lifelong dream from turning into a nightmare. Grading the Mean Green Offense C+ Special teams B- Defense B Intangibles C+ For the most comprehensive previews available on all 119 Division I teams, order the "Bible" of college football, the 2007 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, at www.blueribbonyearbook.com or call 1-866-805-BALL (2255).

Not exactly sure if this has been posted yet.. but disregard this if it has.. Here is the preview per blue ribbon yearbook and espn.com a more in depth preview comes out July 16 -------------------------------------------------------- Sun Belt Conference 1. Troy 2. Florida Atlantic 3. Louisiana-Lafayette 4. Arkansas State 5. Middle Tennessee 6. Louisiana-Monroe 7. Florida International 8. North Texas All-Sun Belt Team Offense WR: Gary Banks, Troy WR: LaGregory Sapp, UL-Monroe OL: Matt Mandrich Arkansas St. OL: Franklin Dunbar, MTSU OL: Kyle Cunningham, UL-Monroe OL: Jesse Newman, UL-Lafayette OL: Adam Hill, UL-Monroe QB: Omar Haugabook, Troy RB: Tyrell Fenroy, UL-Lafayette RB: Calvin Dawson, UL-Monroe TE: Zeek Zacherie, UL-Monroe Defense DL: Josh Pinnick, FAU DL: Jervonte Jackson, FAU DL: Erik Walden, MTSU DL: Tavares Jones, MTSU LB: Koby McKinnon, Arkansas St. LB: Brent Burkhalter, UL-Lafayette LB: Cergile Sincere, FAU DB: Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas St. DB: Damon Nickson, MTSU DB: Khayyam Burns, Arkansas St. DB: Lionell Singleton, FIU Specialists K: Drew Edminston, UL-Lafayette KR: Lionell Singleton, FIU P: Truman Spencer, North Texas PR: Desmond Gee, MTSU Offensive Player of the Year Omar Haugabook, QB, Troy Defensive Player of the Year Damon Nickson, DB, Middle Tennessee Newcomer of the Year Cam Montgomery, RB, North Texas

the computer on the far left is def. the athletic website, but the one on the far right looks more like the unt.edu page... but nice observation none the less.. man offseason is boring

we need more 360 options.. that old thread only has ps2.. get with the times people!

I have a friend who makes custom covers for NCAA football, and is willing to make a UNT one, but my problem is that I can't find any good action shots of some of our star players.. Does anyone know a site that has good sized action photos?? ? I'll share the custom cover with you guys when he is done..

Its not really a donation if you HAVE to pay it to get the seats.. its more like a $500 ticket

you get espn the magazine too for that 40 bucks

he is a freshman going in to this season as the back up.. how can you say he will probably never see the field?

lol texashsfootball is far from a rivals site, you are prolly thinking of texasprepxtra, but good news none the less!

I agree.. And thats why I think the title to this topic should be changed at least until we find out if it was students or not!?

I'd whoop this guys butt at NCAA football on xbox360 but that doesn't mean I can step on the field and beat troy.. This article is a joke

yes the overrated chant did come out way to early against western Kentucky and they almost embarrassed us for it.. wait til the last minute or two to bust out the overrated chant please

I saw Vizza working out w/ a friend at the rec center about a week ago, he looks alittle bigger than the photos rivals.com has.. you can tell this kid has a good work ethic just by watching how he worksout

every athletic program has an alternate jersey.. If north texas is going to have one, then black would be the best way to go.. I'd rather it be black then a pink one..