Smitty

Actually, this glass is not half empty, it is 87.5 percent empty and 12.5 percent full. But I am intrigued to see what Riley can do and I am hoping for his success.

I don't get that joke. Sincerely, Tom Servo

Wasn't there a Tony Delk who was a star player at Kentucky? Found him. Here's some stuff from Wikipedia: Tony Delk was picked 16th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He was traded by the Hornets along with Muggsy Bogues. (How would you feel about getting traded for a guy named Muggsy. The only league where that wouldn't be embarrassing is in the Mafia.) He eventually ended up with the Mavericks, and was part of the trade that brought Jason Terry here. After he finished in the NBA, he played in Greece with Panathinaikos, in Athens. He won the Greek Cup, the Greek Championship and the European Championship with Panathinaikos. He is retired from playing, but is a technical assistant with Gigantes of Carolina in the BSN (whatever that is). Tony Delk is the uncle of current basketball-playing twins Richard and Reginald Delk.

Numb

One of the most historic moments in our nation's history - reported from a hotel room. Inspirational, Ponies. Imagine if Ernie Pyle had decided not to report on D-Day because the beach was crowded.

I didn't expect conference titles and bowl invitations and lots of wins in the first two years. But I did expect North Texas to be able to stay within 21 points of most of its opponents at halftime last year, and I don't think that qualifies as expecting miracles. I agree, most coaches deserve four years. But there are extreme circumstances that must change that rule, and this program's performance qualifies for those extreme circumstances. If we had posted SMU's results last season - losing but playing well and having a realistic chance to win in most games - I don't think you would be hearing the grumbling that is present on the board. It's the ridiculous blow-out nature of most of our losses last year that calls Dodge into question. However, I support North Texas and I will renew my season tickets. I want UNT to win. That means I want Dodge to win.

Well, that's one less computer wallpaper to make this summer...

Dave is a great guy and a tremendous broadcaster. This is an excellent move for the Rangers. We talk about the outstanding contributions our music school makes to that industry, and rightfully so. But the RTVF department has produced some real talent, especially in sports broacasting. Thanks, in large part, to Bill Mercer.

Amen. Somewhere, Johnny Unitas is just shaking his head in dismay.

If anyone saw The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds (and I assume the scene was repeated in the recent remake), there is a scene in which Reynolds fires a pass into the groin of a defensive player who has been hitting him all day. That is loosely based on a true Sammy Baugh story. Except Baugh didn't hit the player in the groin, he intentionally drilled a pass point-blank into the defender's forehead. This was back in the leather helmet days - no facemask. Baugh said the defender just stopped in his tracks and fell over backwards, unconcious. Baugh thought he had killed him, but a little while later the guy was back in the game.

I saw Steve Martin live in concert in the late 70s (1978, I think). He was hilarious and it was a great show. Absolute genius.

6-6 is not too much to ask in Year 3. I'll grant you that it's reasonable to anticipate losses to Alabama and Ball State, but Ohio was 4-8 this year and Army was 3-9. Neither Ohio and Army should not be counted as losses. It is reasonable to think that 2-2 is possible in non-conference, and 4-4 in conference is also reasonable. I'm not saying UNT must win at least six games next year or Dodge gets fired. You have to look at the entirety of next season and the performances week to week. If UNT goes 5-7 and is very competitive, if you see marked improvement in all areas, that might be enough for a fourth year. I will support this program and this team as I have for many years. I will renew my season tickets, be at every home game, and wish nothing but success for the players AND coaches. But the weekly 30-point losses and 21-point halftime deficits have to end now or a change must be made. An 0-6 start next year peppered with 20-plus-point losses is unacceptable. All 4-8 gets you is off the Bottom Ten, and the goal should not be to simply no longer be a punchline. The days of that low bar are over.

I hope your post is also dripping in sarcasm.

AMEN! Linemen, linemen, linemen! Linemen should be priority No. 1 for this recruiting class, and should remain at or near the top of the priority list in future classes. You need talent, size, and depth on the offensive and defensive lines to win in college football. I understand why Dodge may not have completely embraced that approach, because I have seen so many gutty, tough, undersized kids who excelled as high school linemen and I'm sure Dodge has too. But those kinds of kids very rarely succeed in the college game. I hope that Dodge has learned that lesson.

I agree that UT belongs in the Big 12 title game ahead of OU...but I am looking forward to the prospect of a Florida vs. Oklahoma national title game. That could be fun.

Complete agreement. Very well stated.

I understand what you're saying, OldTimer. But every other school also has one of these boards - in some cases, more than one. And all of those other boards are full of chuckleheads just like us ranting and venting. I'm betting some of the criticism is a lot more vicious on some of those other boards than here. Dodge's coverage in the traditional and new media here is fairly mild in comparison to many media markets. And I cannot imagine that any criticism on this board could possibly be as harmful as the weekly 30-point losses.

As amazing as it is that UNT's average final deficit is 29.6 points per game, there is a more amazing number this year: 22.8 That is the average halftime deficit North Texas has faced this year. We are falling behind by three-touchdowns-plus in just two quarters. And that average includes the ten-point halftime lead UNT had against Western Kentucky. In the ten games we have trailed at halftime, the average deficit is 26.1 points - down by almost four touchdowns a game by halftime.

Oh, Lord. Tanner returns the second-half-opening kickoff for a touchdown. 52-13.

North Texas stopped on fourth and goal at the MTSU one. Halftime, 45-13. Another blow-out second quarter.

Make it FIVE rushing touchdowns in the first half for MTSU's Phillip Tanner. On 12 carries. MTSU 45, UNT 13. Still four minutes left in the first half.

Phillip Tanner just scored his fourth TD of the first half. 66-yard run. 38-13.

31-13

TD, North Texas. Extra point blocked. 17-13, MTSU

Absolutely. Looking forward to it.