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EvanMIya has htem playing better against good squads. They never led vs Memphis but they are athletic and at home. Take them seriously, sure, but they have eight losses for a reason. Have a little preview here: https://www.meangreennation.com/p/nt-mbb-at-ecu-preview

Yep @UNTLifer I was looking for some First Responder Bowl stuff -- I brought my wife and kids (4) and my mom to the game. They had the souvenir cups that said Pony Up and there were signs for some gift shop somewhere that had Bowl specific gear but it was mostly just SMU stuff that was easiest to see. I believe the FRB website mentioned card-only. Also, I just assume that everywhere is getting away from cash because everyone is in the pocket of ViSA/Mastercard now. Or should I say they are in our pocket? If I had it to do over, I probably stay in Denton (I came down from Missouri) instead of Dallas, so I could take the train and get off like you did. We arrived 3 hours early but by then the parking lots were full and we had to park across 75 and get the shuttle -- which apparently was news to lots of people. The parking page on the FRB website didn't mention that area but directed everyone to pay lots on campus. The parking security told us about the garage as we were being redirected. My family *did* like the seatbacks on the general admission seats. Hint, hint, wink, wink UNT administration.

The anecdotal evidence I heard from people was that it was "too expensive" and "not an impressive matchup" or "we are just going to lose"

I called up @Aldo who was enjoying the darkness of the pacific northwest. We recorded said conversation. https://www.meangreennation.com/p/240-the-mestemaker-show | Audio https://www.meangreennation.com/p/mgn-240-the-drew-mestemaker-show | Video | YT

EM mentioned the bad snaps specifically as being a thing that slowed the entire offense. Also State had only 90 yards rushing until the 4th where they had that 73 yarder and a couple QB runs. I agree being able to run is a good thing but I don’t know that it was ever going to be Plan A. I like that we were able to punch it in from the goal line from under center though. That was big.

I asked him that in the press conference. He said their DTs were good and made it tough. Said the probably went away from it too much in the second half. Personally I thought it was fine. The offense had good ideas. Drew missed some wide open guys early but the O moved the ball welll, and scored. The drive killers were an interception, a missed field pressure (sack/fumble) and that TE coming up an inch short. Also the OL was patchwork again (they switched centers again) so I understand being hesitant to simply run at them in that scenario.

I had a good time. Post gamer https://open.substack.com/pub/meangreennation/p/first-responder-bowl-north-texas-4b2?r=du4qo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true MGN is traveling back to the middle west of these united states of America, the current home of MGN HQ. We had a good time seeing old friends and some new. We were originally planning on staying until about noon tomorrow to do more catching up but the big winter storm is threatening to make it dangerous. The podcast will be recorded and published Sunday morning. I had a good time at this one. It was good to be home again. It was fun seeing all the green. I hope we do better at football next season. Subscribe to the site. Listen to my podcast. GMG

full disclosure I was recording from an air bnb bedroom.

Well, to the end requested, I wrote about the game: https://www.meangreennation.com/p/first-responder-bowl-north-texas

Let me know if you like the video. I do it because I've gotten feedback that its preferred over the audio. Personally, I'm an audio-first kind of guy.

Its a numbers game. We need DL/LBs/OL, and then a QB, some WRs MORE than we need a RB. If 44 is healthy, we get the transfer RB from Missouri State, and the continued development of Sibley, new guy Hawkins it is a solid room. He likely gets a scholly once they sort out the rest of the roster. But that probably isn't a great deal for him -- which is why he joins the portal. Its' really just checking his options. He wants to come back (sources) but this is the nature of D1 college football.

@Aldo was on the way to get breakfast with his children when I called him up to ask his opinion on transfers. Audio only version: https://www.meangreennation.com/p/239-bowl-preview Video version: https://www.meangreennation.com/p/mgn-239-bowl-preview-video-edition | YT

This thread has some loser talk that rivals some of the legendary loser-talk threads on this board. I wanted Seth to beat UTSA even if it meant more Seth. I wanted them to win the CUSA title game even if it meant more. Do we want to win or to be right on the internet? I want them to win. I don't like mixing up Seth LIttrell's tenure and Eric Morris'. Morris, the admin, and the roster etc all made a mistake in trying to keep the good from the old and turn what was there into a winning team. Morris said he made that mistake. He had to change the entire roster. That had to wait a year. So we are essentially in year one. I've written a ton that the roster is filled with youth and underclassman. I see a lot of others have made this same point in this thread. It is true. Some of us gave money 15 years ago in the hopes of this or that but that doesn't mean you can turn a handful of freshman into AAC champions. Quinton Hammonds, Brian Nelson, Landon Sides, Wyatt Young, Mercer, even McGill are all contributors. It goes on and on. The dudes making freshman mistakes were well, freshman. The upperclassmen guys we needed to do some leading and carry things? Well Chandler Morris did that and a couple of DLmen, but a lot of others were hurt. Some just didn't produce. The foundations for next year begin in this recruiting cycle. Morris will discuss the signings on Dec 4 -- we'll know if he has some solid incoming guys. We know he can bring in talent. I like that they improved the DL for this season -- it was worse last year -- but they need more. They need more OL, too. They need more playmakers all along the defensive side. I put some of that on the last coaching staff. Seth had missed hard on defense for about 5 years. He rotated through a bunch of dudes with no luck. We had a patchwork defense with which Bennett did the best he could. The defense has been bad. Morris has made a move to change that. Whoever comes in -- I think we'll see a hire fairly quickly these next couple weeks -- will have a summer to find guys to plug in the holes -- DL, Linebacker, rush end. Is that enough? Dunno. Morris will be looking for experienced, play-making WRs I can tell you that. A Damon Ward who doesn't have the yips and can stay on the field.

Tom Herman was looking for a P4 OC job before he was fired, as well.