NT80

Even DD said on the postgame show that he gets to keep his job another week. I'll give him that; congrats to all players and coaches and fans. To SMUt.....

It still looked like too many up the gut calls and predictable draw plays...but....congrats to the whole team and ALL the coaches, even the ones we've doubted .

Look also at the opponents involved....all regional well-known name teams that fans want to see. This is why we need out of the SBC and into CUSA. BTW, attendance at those games was 90%+ NT fans, none of the opponents brought more than 4,000 fans = BU.

UNT's Flanigan hopes to beat alma mater Former SMU quarterback admits having added motivation for contest 10:11 PM CDT on Friday, September 8, 2006 By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle DENTON ­ Ramon Flanigan has yelled more at practice and has slept less the past few days. It's only the second week of the season, but for North Texas' offensive coordinator today's game against SMU at Fouts Field is more than another non-conference affair. It's an opportunity for Flanigan to face his alma mater for the first time as a coach and prove how far he has come since he was the Mustangs' quarterback. "I would like to say that it's just another game, but I'd be lying," Flanigan said. "There is added incentive because there are a lot of people I want to show that I am doing a good job." UNT and SMU haven't played since 1992, when Flanigan was a freshman who led the Mustangs to a 28-14 win. If it wasn't for an injury he suffered during that game, Flanigan might never have had the chance to show those traits as a coach. Entering the game as the backup quarterback, Flanigan rifled a touchdown pass to Brian Berry on his first attempt. But his season ended on his next attempt when he tore ligaments in his thumb. He was granted a medical redshirt, a reprieve that helped pave his way to UNT. Flanigan came back from the injury and played his final season under offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey, who was with the Mustangs for one season. Dickey changed SMU's offense from a wide-open passing attack to a run-oriented scheme and rotated Flanigan with another quarterback. That season the Mustangs finished 6-5. "Ramon is as smart a quarterback as I have ever coached," said Dickey, who was hired as the UNT coach in 1998. "The way he handled himself with the transition in style of offenses, sharing the job and helping lead us from a 1-4 start to the only winning season SMU has had since the death penalty, are the reasons I decided to hire him as a coach." Flanigan has quickly risen through the ranks at UNT, moving from quarterbacks coach to become one of the youngest offensive coordinators in Division I-A at 27 in 2002. "He has always been very innovative, understands how to package plays and adjusts when a player goes down or to situations in games," Dickey said. With Flanigan on staff, the Mean Green won four straight Sun Belt Conference titles from 2001-04. He also was key to the development of Scott Hall, who set the school's career record for passing efficiency. UNT struggled offensively last season with a pair of inexperienced quarterbacks but is hoping to get back on track this year. Ultimately, Flanigan hopes to take the next step toward his goal of becoming a head coach. The last two years he was invited to attend a NCAA symposium for minority coaching candidates. "I thought Ramon would be a good coach if that is what he wanted to do," said Mike Wade, Flanigan's offensive coordinator at SMU. "He has the intangibles as far as leadership qualities and is competitive. He will make a good head coach some day." WINNING WITH FLANIGAN Ramon Flanigan has played a key role in several memorable seasons as a player at SMU and as a coach at UNT. He was the starting quarterback in SMU's 28-14 victory the last time the teams played in 1992. Here's the rundown of his contributions: AT SMU Year Record Role 1997 6-5 Split time at QB, threw for 555 yards and rushed for 422 AT UNT Year Record Role 2001 5-7 QBs coach for co-SBC champions 2002 8-5 Offensive coordinator for SBC, New Orleans Bowl champs 2003 9-4 Offensive coordinator for SBC champions 2004 7-5 Offensive coordinator for SBC champions SMU (0-1) at North Texas (0-1), 6:05 p.m., today. KWRD-FM 100.7, KTCK-AM 1310, KNTU-FM 88.1 (Denton)

Preview: SMU at North Texas 10:41 PM CDT on Friday, September 8, 2006 By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News SMU (0-1) at North Texas (0-1) 6 p.m., Fouts Field (KTCK-AM 1310, KTDK-FM 104.1, KWRD-FM 100.7, KNTU-FM 88.1) Line: SMU by 5 What's on the line SMU: It is trying to win its first nonconference road game since 1998. UNT: It has lost seven straight games. Who's hot SMU: S Randall Goode had 11 tackles in the season-opening loss at Texas Tech. UNT: Backup QB Woody Wilson led UNT to its only score against Texas. Who's not SMU: The offense. The Mustangs managed only a field goal and 189 yards in the season opener. UNT: Scoring in the first quarter. The Mean Green has not scored in the first quarter of its last 13 games. Stat that tells the story North Texas has lost its last two home openers. Key matchup SMU's front seven vs. UNT's running backs: SMU's front four, led by DE Justin Rogers and DT Adrian Haywood, are fast and strong enough to clog holes. If that happens, it will force North Texas to pass. UNT running back Jamario Thomas rushed for 38 yards last week. That can't happen again. SMU wins if ... The offense scores some points. UNT wins if ... Thomas rushes for 100 yards and gets two scores. Predicted score SMU 28, North Texas 10

Yes, my list was from the 2005 media guide, not this year's. I forgot about attendance for the Tulsa debacle, er game, from last year.

Top 4 crowds at Fouts: 1. 29,437 vs Baylor 9-6-03 2. 28,315 vs Baylor 8-31-00 3. 22,837 vs TCU 9-1-01 4. 22,750 vs SMUt 10-6-90 (Fouts capacity then 20K)

Sorry it didn't work out for PC, he's a class kid. I didn't want to root for the Steelers anyway.

Yes, what he said.

That's the type quality home games we need. I wonder if it is conditional on a new facility? We better get busy with that New Stadium Campaign if it's to open in 2009. I wish it was the opening game of that season and not after a trip to the Bayou.

Could this be the beginning of the end for Dickey-ball? Does the Buick have too many miles on it; is it time to trade it in? All eight of the DMN sports writers predict a SMUt win over UNT straight up in their College picks today. Only three take UNT with 5 points added; but Vito still votes No-way. Many former DD fans are waning due to the continued losing, QB mess, and stifled progress of the program. There will be more on the line Saturday than just a win or loss on the schedule. It will be a boost or kick in the school's athletic reputation and perceived metroplex ranking with recruits. It could also be the turning point for the win-SBC-title-job-for-life perception that NT coaches seem to enjoy. OOC game results must become the standard by which our teams and coaches are judged. With a loss, a 7-40 record would not cut it in most places, NONE I can think of. I'm ready to cheer UNT on to victory over the Phonies. But I'm also ready to call for a change and take OUR program back if that's what it needs. The Buick is sputtering.

Section E will be in a FRENZY this Saturday night...for one reason or the other

LOL!

If Dickey thought the fan-backlash was bad after the Tulsa loss just wait until after a SMUt loss.

"Phillips was in the game for six series that accumulated three yards and one first down." At this point, let's just play musical QBs...whomever makes a first down gets to stay in the game. Otherwise it goes to next in line throughout the whole game. Prepare for the QB shuffle....

Football: Phillips to start at QB against SMU Dickey to stick with status quo for now 09:19 PM CDT on Thursday, September 7, 2006 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer North Texas head coach Darrell Dickey is sticking with the status quo when it comes to his quarterbacks for Saturday’s game against SMU. Sophomore Matt Phillips will start against the Mustangs and at least one other quarterback will play. “There was no reason to change the rotation,” Dickey said. “We will see how it goes in Game 2 and see if someone separates.” Phillips started in the Mean Green’s season-opening 56-7 loss at Texas while junior college transfer Woody Wilson came off the bench. Returning starter Daniel Meager was unavailable due to a concussion, but has since recovered and will be available to play against SMU. Wilson finished with 65 passing yards, completed 5 of 6 attempts and led the Mean Green on a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive for their only points of the day. Phillips threw for 22 yards and completed just 4 of 13 attempts. Wilson led seven of UNT’s 13 drives against Texas that resulted in 92 yards of total offense and five first downs. Phillips was in the game for six series that accumulated three yards and one first down. “We were not happy with anyone’s performance,” Dickey said. “We saw that there were a lot of mistakes that we needed to iron out. Matt had his share, coach Dickey had his share and so did the offensive line. We worked all week and saw no real reason to chance the rotation.” While Wilson had the better overall numbers against Texas, Dickey said he also had his share of mistakes. “Woody did some good things and had a good week of practice,” Dickey said. “It seems like he understands what he did wrong last week.” The decision of when to put Wilson or Meager in against SMU will be based on the circumstances of the game. “We will see how the game goes and when we go to another quarterback, we will see what we want to do offensively and who we feel gives us the best chance,” Dickey said. UNT has a history of rotating quarterbacks and has been searching for the right player or mix of players since Scott Hall led the Mean Green to the Sun Belt Conference title and the New Orleans Bowl in 2004. Hall started every game in the last of the Mean Green’s four consecutive conference championship seasons, and threw for 1,818 yards and 14 touchdowns. UNT has struggled to find a suitable replacement ever since. Meager started every game last season while Phillips saw action in seven games. Meager led UNT with 941 yards passing while Phillips had 448 yards last season when the Mean Green finished last in the Sun Belt in both passing yards (129.3 per game) and passing efficiency (92.9 rating). The Mean Green signed Wilson out of Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College at the semester break, but did not land a high school quarterback on national signing day. UNT later gave a scholarship to Nathan Tune, a walk-on from Celina who is expected to redshirt this season.

Expect maybe 500 SMUt fans. They don't follow their team in Highland Park, they sure won't follow them to Denton.

No.

I have no clue about Dickey's decisions and why he does what he does anymore. P.S. - anyone watching Boise's offense tonight? If only we could.....

I wish the current staff had Simon's "I think we could beat them" attitude. And to Calvin: NT was not I-AA in 1977.

I wonder if Memphis State, Troy State, and Southwest Texas have this same problem? I'd bet the writer's age is 50+ and he grew up knowing us as NTSU.

Will PC play on special teams, get in on offense?

Football tonight.... For those that want high-scoring offenses: 6:30pm, ESPN, Oregon State @ Boise State next: 7:30pm, NBC (Ch. 5 DFW), Patrick Cobbs (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Miami Dolphins

That's why we need in CUSA...ASAP.

OK, now I'm mad. Where's the NEW STADIUM CAMPAIGN?