UNT Mean Green

Guyer has nice looking athletes at most positions on the field.

I was thinking the same thing Pollock. Charlie, that's very true. Carey should be a solid 3-4 year starter, and will go with the Stradford/Cole tandem next year to make a very dynamic receiving core. Hate to look to far ahead, but next year's offense should have tons of speed.

Look up Javia Hall at Dallas Skyline, committed to North Texas for 2010. Not to mention, there aren't a lot of 2 time class 5A players of the year out there like a Riley Dodge or Chase Daniel.

#10 DeWaylon Cook continued to improve, and was one of the few players in my mind that looked like he belonged on that type of stage against that caliber of athlete.

I will be there +3. First time to Bryant-Denny, but looking forward to it. I have captured a few Iron Bowl games at Auburn, and that's really a treat. Excited about going to Tuscaloosa and Dreamland BBQ on Friday night.

normally 3-5K

Agree FFR. The whole play was 'off' from the get go, and I received confirmation that this is what happened.

Riley looked a lot more 'human' on Saturday night than I've ever seen him (several HS games and Ball State). It did look like the wet ball was really bothering him, and if you paid close attention, he was having a difficult time catching the snap and it looked like the ball was slipping right through his hands and into his body. Of course, if he was having trouble catching a snap, he was having trouble getting a grip on the football in this catch and throw offense. I'm with you on the floating the ball thing from Riley. But, in his defense, I think he does that because of him missing Dunbar in the Ball St. game with a bullet. He's having trouble with that 'in between' throw or what a lot of coaches call a "2" ball (1 being a bullet, 2 being in between, and 3 putting lots of air under the thing), but I fully believe he will get it. I do not think his injury is the best thing for this team as it can have lingering effects on his health, on playcalling, etc. Bama is absolutely huge yes, and him not playing does put a sense of peace in my mind, as I have been worried about him getting injured in the Bama game ever since he was named a starter. The bottom line is though, that he will take the Ohio game and go to work on his mistakes, and will be the offensive MVP of this team at the end of the year. You're 100% correct on that first drop by Outlaw. It was a difficult situation from his perspective, much more so that what was visible from the bleachers. The second drop by Outlaw was what I like to call 'ball attacks man' and that one was very costly. You know he had a hard time swallowing that one, but as you put it, it was just a drop and it happened at a bad time. As far as the safety is concerned, let's just say the game was very poorly officiated. The 3rd and 4 call was questionable. I would definitely not have tried a long field goal, as Knott has a limit of 40 yards on a dry field. I do believe in hindsight, we should have given the football to #26 and probably given it to him again on 4th down if we didn't convert the 3rd down. I do believe Cam was sitting to get a breather, and someone said he had an equipment issue? Cannot confirm that totally, but that's what I heard anyway. The defense is really playing fantastic, and it does start with that D-Line. They are getting production from all 4 spots on that line and that comes from about 10 different players. Craig and Tobe are living up to their billing thus far, and have really taken the lead of that defense. Royce Hill and DeWaylon Cook are coming into their own (as we should have expected considering the level of recruits they were). As a whole, we should all be extremely pleased with the defense and it will only get better as this season progresses. DeLoach, Nelson, Rausch, Petersen, and Buckles are doing an absolutely wonderful job at devising a good game plan, at teaching sound technique/fundamentals, and at managing personnel. I personally think we will give Bama some trouble early with our defense, and as time progresses, their talent, size/speed combination, and depth will wear us down and eventually put the game out of reach. Special teams were solid on Saturday night, with the exception of that one big punt return. That was a result of bad angles, and poor tackling. Simple correction. Aterberry was the MVP in my book the other night. We'll what our ST are made of on Saturday morning, trying to contain Javier Arenas for the Crimson Tide who's one of the best in the business. Agree, let's get out alive and give Bama hell.

The WR was supposed to run a slant route, and converted it to a hitch/stop route based upon the coverage look the CB gave him.

#10 DeWaylon Cook had a nice evening. He's beginning to come into his own back there with Royce Hill and co.

Best of luck to Nathan! He looked really good Saturday night as a whole. Obviously the mishap with the pick six, but I've heard that the WR ran the wrong route on that play causing the CB to drive on the ball and pick it off instead of running a slant where the CB would have been on his back hip. Nathan will do fine as the team will try to keep the game within reach against the Crimson Tide.

Last night was positive in so many different ways. One of those in my mind is that UNT left 14-21 points on the field last night, depending on how you look at it, and showed they were clearly the better team from the get-go against a formidable MAC opponent. I firmly believe the score should have been 37-10, and maybe worse. Think about it: INT return for TD called back. Threw INT on the 2yd. line. Missed 2 FG's. Sit on ball inside 10yd. line to end the game (I respect & condone this). In my mind, this even adds a more positive light on the game last night. What are your thoughts?

I would have a hard time believing any of those guys are as fast as William Cole. Dunbar may be close, but did you ever see Cole play for Cedar Hill? He made everyone look like they were in slow motion (and we're talking about playing against teams with D1 defenders on the field). One of the best Texas High School football players I have ever seen. Reminded me a lot of Quan Cosby in high school, but at the 5A level.

They had these at the Don January Golf Tournament a few weeks back in the Green/White version.

I would like to adopt one of the physically best looking athletes on the team, and a guy I expect good things from: #10 DaWaylon Cook.

Nice article with a realistic take/spin on things.

I'll be there.

Yes, Mack Cole is on the team and is practicing.

That's incredible.

I believe his grandson is Sean January, and is a LB from a JC in Arizona.

Game 1 at BALL STATE: Ball State 24, UNT 21 This game should be an instant classic between two rebuilding teams on Thursday night. BSU is rebuilding from an extremely successful season and leans on their stud RB, while UNT is rebuilding from an extremely disappointing season and will also lean on their running game while breaking in a new QB. I feel that home field advantage will allow BSU to win a squeaker. Game 2 OHIO: UNT 31, Ohio 24 The Mean Green take away many positives from their efforts in Muncie along with an extended recovery time, and come away with a nice win for the home opener in the 2nd to last season in Fouts Field. Riley Dodge will entertain the crowd with his feet, and the defense should do just enough to win this game against a solid Ohio team following their loss against UConn. Game 3 at ALABAMA: Alabama 56, UNT 10 The Crimson Tide 'roll' through another Sun Belt opponent following a dismantling of FIU the previous week. UNT plays hard, but is extremely out-athleted, and this one is just plain ugly. Game 4 MIDDLE TENNESSEE: MTSU 37, UNT 28 I hate to chalk this one up as a loss, but I feel that a hungover UNT squad In last year's game, UNT was dismantled in Murfeesboro by the Phillip Tanner show. An improved defense and kicking game keeps UNT in this one until late in the game where I think that Middle Tennessee's experience will take over. This game should put up some impressive offensive numbers from both squads, and entertain a nice crowd at Fouts Field. Game 5 at LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE: UNT 41, Louisiana Lafayette 35 Following a 1-4 start, UNT works out some kinks and expands the playbook during 2 weeks of prep for the Ragin' Cajuns and puts up plenty of offense in Lafayette despite the Cajuns returning an experienced front 7. In last year's game, the teams traded turnovers with Louisiana converting on those and the Mean Green unable to capitalize. The game was within 7 points after UNT's first drive of the 3rd Qtr (should have been within 4-missed FG), and then the wheels came off. This year, that will not happen in this game as I believe the Mean Green will steal a nice win, and get back to the .500 mark in conference. Game 6 FLORIDA ATLANTIC: Florida Atlantic 33, UNT 21 FAU comes into this one loaded on the offensive side of the ball, and following their bye week, they are able to upset the Mean Green in front of their faithful. This game was absolutely horrible in Boca Raton last year, and this year's game should be a marked improvement against a superior opponent. Game 7 at TROY: Troy 38, UNT 28 Troy is the class of the league, and they win a hard fought game against the Mean Green. These teams have similar styles, and in last year's game Troy displayed their abundance of weapons while protecting the football. Vizza was picked off 3 times by the Trojans defense last year, and I don't feel like Troy will have the playmakers on D that they had last year. Game 8 WESTERN KENTUCKY: UNT 42, Western Kentucky 24 The Mean Green will show marked improvement for the home fans against a winless Hilltopper squad that is hungover from the thrashing they took in Murfeesboro the week before. Riley Dodge will begin to really 'get it' this game, and will lead UNT to an explosive performance offensively, while the Mean Green defense keeps WKU in check until late in the game when it's out of hand. Game 9 LOUISIANA-MONROE: UNT 21, Louisiana-Monroe 19 The Mean Green will squeak out a tough, physical defensive battle and win this afternoon game in Denton. It won't be pretty, but it'll be a 'W and push UNT back to the .500 clip in Sun Belt play. Game 10 @FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL: FIU 45, UNT 35 FIU is the most improved football program in the conference. This game shold provide plenty of fireworks on a nice evening in Miami, and unfortunately, the most explosive player in the conference (TY Hilton) will go off on the Mean Green defense and special teams again. UNT will play the Golden Panthers tough, but in a case where both teams need a Belt win, FIU is too much on their home turf. Game 11 ARMY: UNT 35, Army 24 In a game full of pageantry, UNT will defeat the Black Knights in another tough, physical game on the turf of Fouts Field, and send fans away with some nice memories from their 2009 home season. Game 12 at Arkansas State: UNT 42, Arkansas State 34 Experience and confidence leads the Mean Green over the beaten up Red Wolves. I feel that UNT will click on all cylinders on a cool Saturday afternoon in Jonesboro. The D-Line finally reaches their potential and harasses Corey Leonard all game long. Last years game featured 3 INT's by Vizza and no red zone defense by the Mean Green against the potent ASU rushing attack. UNT will cap off a much improved season by defeating Arkansas State and finishing .500 in league play.

Nope you're not wrong to be optimistic. It's always nice to have a 'clean slate'/'fresh start' when approaching a new season. Though I am a huge supporter of the program, I just prefer to be cautiously optimistic with guys like Riley, Cantly, JC D-Lineman, etc. though since they have not proven it at the D1 level yet. I do have to say that I am excited about what Riley brings to the QB position...

That's correct Flyer.

Read today where Univ. of Florida negotiated a contract with Urban Meyer to push his salary over the $4M mark, making him the Third highest paid coach behind Pete Carroll and Charlie Weis. Thanks for the correction Flyer!

SMU has had 1 winning season since the death penalty. I'd say June Jones took on a significant challenge...