FirefightnRick

Stebo will eat Albino Squirrel if RF gets the job. This is purely a polite formality. Oops, excuse me, did I type that? Rick

That is a sweet hat gk. Glad to meet up with you finally. See you saturday. Rick

If so then I would assume the phone has been ringing off the wall in Denton with the offer to replace Mac with you know who? That would sort of answer your question wouldn't it? Hmmm, interesting! Rick

I agree with you there Arkstfan, but excuse me for using your post here for this. I just want one "GOOFBALL" fan who can't believe, nor remember the fact that other fans have actually disliked our offense, even when we were winning, to see that even an outsider, Arkstfan, has noticed our dislike of it too. Mark, did you forget there for a split second who you were referencing earlier before you posted that last part? In '02 we led Nichols St by a whole 10 points going into the 4th quarter, a game in which Andrew Smith was allowed to attempt something like 6 passes. I'd take whipping the $hit out of anyone over 23 point wins over 1-AA teams and 3 point losses to 1-A Kindergarten teams, any day. Rick

We saw those too. There were several girls from the Soccer team with them on. It's actually better looking than the Exes logo. Seemed more balanced and it did not have the star in the middle. And the logo, which was over the left side of the jacket, was huge. If I had to guess I would say the letters were 8 inches square? It really stood out. Again, thank you RV. Helmet please? Rick

In comparing Tennessee to North Texas Tennessee beat #3 LSU in Death Valley on national TV. Rick

Um, no. They were outlawed when the NCAA made it illegal to throw anything onto the playing surface. This became even more of a problem when Tech moved their stands closer to the field. In our case, that has NEVER happened, and never will. Rick

th, The Spirit Bell itself weighs between 1200 and 1500 lbs by itself. It was shipped to Texas from Michigan and the shipping expense was higher than a cats' back. Then it was mounted on an airport tug that was acquired from Lackland Airforce base in San Antonio when they liquidated it a few years back. An aircraft tug is that funny little vehicle you see at the airports hooked up to the front landing gear of the large jets towing them into place. They are made of solid iron and steel to prevent getting turned over in jet wash and can weigh several thousand lbs. Before the NT Spirit Bell was mounted on our tug, the tug was stripped of every bit of excess iron and steel possible, then the mounting deck that the bell was mounted to was re-manufactured for a specific purpose. It's been weighed and parts of it have been added and subtracted through the whole process. It is heavy, but not nearly as heavy as that truck in King's picture, or the ambulance, or the PeterBilts, or the countless tracters and equipment that drove over the track all summer long during the turf installation. The Swartz' family vowed over 25 years ago to find the original victory bell that was forced into permanant retirement due to continuing cracks, a replacement. The original bell is the one that currently sits on display in the lower floor of the union. And after 25 years invested searching for it, and countless thousands of dollars spent, let alone who knows how much time invested, they found it's replacement with nearly an exact duplicate made by the original manufacturer of the first one. Yet the Swartz family recieves in return for their efforts seeing their investment(one of many) parked outside in the weather every day, and worse off, forced to sit out of sight and earshot during games and I have yet to see it's presence promoted as part of our traditions in print or on TV. NMSU utilized an opportunity to get a "College Tradition" mention in Sports Illustrated one year for their large bell they use at their football games. Not only is it NOT MOTORIZED like ours is, I doubt it is even 1/3rd the size of ours. We finally get our alumni who can, donate back to revive a lost tradition and we refuse to take advantage of it. To me, it's something that is very unique to North Texas that can be used to differentiate us from the rest. But we refuse to use it, or even show it off at the games when we are on TV. It blows the imagination? Rick

True, and Brian Waters ragged-dolled the guy across from him all night. It was funny stuff. Rick

And to think this was the guy who taught Todd Dodge's coaches the system they use now at nationally ranked Carroll High School. Regardless, there's an offensive coordinator for anyone who will be looking for one. Hmmmmm? Rick

Factually, we would have possibly ended the season no better than in 5th place in the Southland Conference. Considering ULM lost to Northwestern State Louisiana earlier in the season, the Demons finished 3-3 and in 4th place in the SLC this year. That sort of gives you an idea just how far our 4 time conference championship program has fallen. Still, I'm looking forward to next season. There's no where to go but up. Rick

I appreciate and applaude the many, many ULM fans, and also for your univeristy for alllowing the ULM band to attend as well. Your presence helped make the game more like what it should be, a major college football event. Thanks for coming and I hope ULM continues to bring their band back every year the Indians visit Denton. It is efforts like that from our brother schools that will help everyone continue to build the Belt to what we want it to be. Rick

As I recall, Eric led the Southland Conference in fumbles his senior year in 1990. But he finished with 1,001 yards for the season. Considering that we were a passing team I suppose that's not too bad. Rick

If you ever get a chance to go up early for homecoming, I highly suggest you attend the Hall of Fame inductions ceremony breakfast. It's well worth getting up for. Yesterday the big man, Mean Joe Greene was there as well as many of the greats that so many of us talk about here. I got to meet Fred McCain and his wife, wonderful people. Brian Waters family was there to accept the induction for him, he couldn't be there due to KC playing today. Did you know he's still the only NFL lineman to recieve the NFL's "Player of the Week" award? His best friend that accepted the award and spoke on Brian's behalf stated that due to Brian's schedule, he couldn't do a lot right now for his school. But because of his success and the fact that his carreer here at NT opened the door for that success, Brian plans on coming back when his schedule permits, "to help North Texas do some things never done before in the past". But the best was saved for last. Lance White was inducted and I wish everyone here could have heard his speech about "This is what it's all about". Lance stated during his speech, "you can have your Texas' and your Texas A&M's and all the other schools and keep 'em, because none of them stand up to North Texas". Stated, "North Texas is in my heart, always has been, always will be and is second to none". I can't remember everything he said, but it inspired me in every way because I suppose I feel the same way and it made me want to go out and purchase more tickets and drag more people to the games. I wish everyone had the fire that Lance White has for NT, and I wish that all our players can learn to play with the fire that he did too. All in all it was a fantastic morning. I look forward to next year. Rick

Jackson could have had 200 yards recieving if he catchs that one slant that hit him between the numbers. Nwigwe might have had another 60 if he too catches the slant that hits him between the 3 and the 1. We had more drops than a rabbits cage. I felt sorry or Meager on a couple of his drives due to several drops that would have helped continue drives. My question is, where in hell has all the passing been in the beginning of the season? No wonder we drop so many balls. It appears catching a pass that is drilled right at you wasn't worked on until middle season. Even though we lost, I can stomach this loss because as a fan watching from the stands, it was an exciting game to watch due to the passing. I'm glad to see someone in the coaches booth finally got a clue and start utilizing more of his talent he had with the pass. Too bad it came so late in the season as he more than likely won't get the opportunity to expand on it next season. Rick

It was. And yes, they showed it on the scoreboard. I thought it was hilarious. Rick

19,000 is tickets scanned, not butts in seats. I had all four of my tickets scanned, a gentleman in front of me had 11 in hand and had them all scanned. There is nothing wrong with this. It shows actual tickets sold and shows growth in our support base. Still, to have 15,000 or about that, show up for a 2-7 team speaks volumes about our game day experience, and you can thank the man, RV for that one. Rick

I'd take that chance at SOMEONE eventually stopping it, all the while being able to be ranked in the top 25 nationally as well as breaking countless records like Tech has been doing, over constantly getting destroyed by top 25 teams and thoroughly manhandled by the likes of La Tech, Tulsa, Southern Miss, Air Force etc.... I'd take Tech's offense over ours ANYDAY!.............A-N-Y.......D-A-Y!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick

I and the Talons have been told for two years that our bell is too heavy to drive over the track so that it can be displayed in front of cameras and fans, and heard by all behind the endzones, rather than out away from site behind the stands where it usually is kept during games. It weighs roughly 4400 lbs. This was reiterated to me four weeks ago that there is no way it could happen once the new track was installed, yet there is always a 10,000 lb ambulance at the north end parked on it for every game. Then there were two 15,000 lb Peterbilt Tractors driven on it for display the night of the Troy game. Let alone the countless heavy equipment that drove over the old track all summer long during the track installation. And now from the photo above, I will rest comfortably knowing our brand new track is as well guarded as the old one. And people wonder why outsiders know nothing of our traditions? Rick

Is it just me or is the "FIRE DD retoric" only coming from the internet? Or is there a sign or billboard in Denton along one of the highway's, or has anyone seen a plane flying a banner over campus that I have not seen because I don't live there? Most of the sarcasm that comes from DD about "CRITICISMS" he takes(the article after the ULL game where he was qouted as saying "Everything is about statistics and everything is negative here") only comes from the internet as far as I have been able to tell. I know some people in the stands by the pressbox have voiced their displeasure, but I doubt he hears any details concerning the OOC record and all out on the field. So if it's all coming mostly from the internet, how does he hear about it in order to comment on it? Damn internet! Rick

Wow, this is some good stuff. The author writes about the negatives that have followed the Run and Shoot and he labels John Jenkins as the biggest source of it. That explains a lot for me and I remember when this all happened. Who does the bold printed statement below remind you of? Interesting closing: As some of those who were here in the 80's may remember, Corky ran a version of the Run and Shoot, but also ran several different variations of other systems too and it was freaking fantastic. Nelson mixed it up so well at times that in '88 Scott Davis threw for over 400 yards in one game against Texas. In 1990 he ran for over 200 yards in one game against SMU. Thanks for the link to this site LongJim. Great read. Rick

What is funny is that had it not been for 9 points we would be 5-0 in conference and making bowl reservations. Sure, we would be 0-4 again in OOC play, but I doubt anyone would be talking about fireing any coaches this week. Very few people seem to remember, though I keep reminding, that during the 26 game conference winning streak that we squeeked through by the skin of our teeth during 18 of those games. Great play and even greater defense has been a key part of those championships, but lady luck was certainly on our side as well. She tried to help us again in Murfreesborro this season, but I suppose she figured if we were not going to help ourselves out any more than beating a team that has been playing competitive football for only 3 seasons prior to this year by only 3 points that we could be on our own this season. Rick

Parker was hired mostly for what some on the committee thought would be his mythical power to recruit any Texas High School talent that he went after, simply because he won the 5A state championship the previous year and carried a recent bit of respect throughout the state at the time. Nothing but deep horse $hit! He won that championship because he squirreled out in their win over Plano that year. I was there that game and Plano couldn't have giftwrapped it for them any prettier. Not only was he over his head at NT but couldn't do anything else at the HS level later on at Cleburn, a historically strong football school that always seems to have a lot of talent. Parker can in no way be compared to Todd Dodge's level at running a HS program. Most of us should thank our lucky stars that U of H doesn't have the chance to personally prove to us what an ex High School coach can do at the college level when done right. Rick

in case you may not have heard by now,........the day before. Rick

That's great to hear. Please let the alumni know how it turned out. Rick