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The defensive line has been a strength for North Texas throughout their football season, with freshman defensive ends Grayson and Gabriel Murphy combining for 13.5 sacks. While captain and senior defensive lineman Dion Novil has not put up as impressive numbers, there are certain things the lineman does that do not show up on the stat sheet. Novil himself has recorded 45 total tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles throughout the season, yet has never finished with more than 3.5 sacks in a season. While his number of splash plays pale in comparison to redshirt freshman defensive end Grayson Murphy — who has 7.5 sacks on the season — Murphy maintains that Novil contributes in other ways that are less apparent. “Dion has been really effective for us this season,” redshirt freshman Grayson Murphy said. “He’s helped a lot this year by attracting a lot of double teams. It kind of frees me and other players up on the defense and allows us to make plays.” While the recent success has the team buzzing, Novil explained that there was a time midway through the season where hope was dim. North Texas was on a five-game losing streak and needed to win out in order to stand a chance at making a bowl game. However, he and the other players refused to give up and took matters into their own hands. “We had a player-led meeting,” Novil said. “We had a heart-to-heart with everyone and let them know hey, the season is not over, we still have a lot to accomplish.” The unwavering confidence paid off in the end, as North Texas was able to pull off the improbable comeback to become bowl game eligible. The Mean Green won five straight games, with their most notable win being a 45-23 win over then-ranked No. 22 University of Texas-San Antonio to end the regular season. North Texas head coach Seth Littrell’s praise for Novil boiled down to his willingness to do anything for the sake of the team. read more: https://www.ntdaily.com/north-texas-captains-importance-extends-beyond-the-stat-sheet/

Indeed, the pessimism surrounding the program is rampant. Tech (3-4, 1-2 ACC) is sliding toward its third losing season in four years, an outcome that almost certainly would end Justin Fuente’s head-coaching tenure in Blacksburg, a tenure that began so auspiciously in 2016 with the ACC Coastal Division title. The prevailing question now isn’t whether the 2021 Hokies can win the Coastal but whether Fuente can earn a seventh season leading the program. With sports gambling all the rage, let’s assess his plight in handicapping parlance: He’s a 17-point underdog. Perhaps that’s a harsh portrayal of a coach with a 41-30 record. But big whistles are, and should be, judged on far more subtle facets than overall wins and losses. What are the trend lines? Are you recruiting well? How is your game and roster management? read more: https://richmond.com/sports/college/teel-in-quest-to-save-his-job-hokies-justin-fuente-a-17-point-underdog/article_20fe580d-5807-53af-82e6-ac2181650181.html

On a warm September night at Apogee Stadium, an offense led by then-junior quarterback Mason Fine put up 46 points for North Texas compared to Southern Methodist University’s 26. The aforementioned game was in 2018 and it is the last time North Texas had a significant triumph versus SMU on or off the field. Starting with its on-field performance, football has not found a way to make the annual Safeway Bowl close in the last two years, losing 49-27 in 2019 and 65-35 in 2020 — the latter of which was on the Mean Green’s home turf. Giving up a combined 114 points in the last two contests, North Texas’ defense has failed in stopping the likes of sophomore running back Ulysses Bentley IV who posted 19 carries for 227 yards and three touchdowns in 2020. It was the same story in 2019 when former SMU running back Xavier Jones tallied 16 carries for 127 yards and three touchdowns. To make matters worse, however, the damage is not just being done on the ground. The Mean Green were likely ecstatic to see former SMU quarterback Shane Buechele enter the NFL draft this year. In two career games against North Texas, Buechele threw for a combined 636 yards and seven touchdowns while dismantling the Mean Green defense. The lone standout performer for North Texas in either game was former running back Tre Siggers who in 2019 rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown versus SMU. This offseason, Siggers joined the Mustangs via the transfer portal. Read more: https://www.ntdaily.com/column-smu-is-beating-the-football-team-on-and-off-the-field/

UNT Athletics: North Texas opens state-of-the-art Bruzzy’s UNT Golf Facility Loyal donor ‘Bruzzy’ makes key contribution For more information contact: Taylor Bryan, 254-709-4411, Taylor.Bryan@unt.edu DENTON, Texas – After nearly two years of planning and construction, Bruzzy’s UNT Golf Facility had its ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, Sept. 18, prior to the Mean Green’s football game against UAB with both the men’s and women’s teams on hand along with North Texas president Neal J. Smatresk, Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker, members of the UNT System Board of Regents, and the facility’s namesake and lead donor, Jerome “Bruzzy” Westheimer. The $3 million on-campus practice facility is located on the east side of the former Eagle Point Golf Course on the east side of Apogee Stadium and Victory Hall, and houses both the men’s and women’s golf team. Bruzzy’s UNT Golf Facility is 5,047 square feet and features two hitting bays with state-of-the-art swing analysis and technology. Additional features include a virtual putting green along with chipping and putting areas, locker rooms, study space, coaches offices, a lounge and kitchen area. The North Texas men's and women's golf teams have not had an on-campus outdoor training facility since the former Eagle Point Golf Course was shut down in 2003. Westheimer has been instrumental in the upgrade and development of the UNT golf programs and other university educational endeavors over the past several years. He was honored as the recipient of the 2019 Wings of Eagles Award, which is the most prestigious award presented by the president for a person who embodies the true spirit of UNT through engagement, generosity and affinity. He celebrated the grand opening by hitting an exploding ball filled with streamers for the ceremonial first drive at the facility along with a ribbon cutting by President Smatresk. Other gifts for the project came from Ken and Ann Newman, C. Dan and Le’Nore Smith, David and Lynn Riley, Sam and Valerie Golden, Tom Klammer, Ernie Kuehne, Knowles Cornwell, Ward and Joyce White and Brad and Vicki Olson. The Mean Green men's golf team has a long history of success, including four NCAA national championships, winning 31 conference championships and making 35 NCAA postseason appearances. Head coach Brad Stracke has won three conference championships and made five NCAA postseason appearances since he took over in 2009. Sophomore Vicente Marzilio won the 2021 Conference USA individual championship as a freshman and advanced to the NCAA Regional. The Mean Green women's team, led by head coach Michael Akers, finished last season ranked No. 36 in the nation, the best end-of-season ranking in program history. The team also claimed the first conference championship in program history in 2021, and current senior Audrey Tan won the program’s first individual conference championship. The team earned its first automatic NCAA Regional bid. If interested in naming opportunities at Bruzzy’s UNT Golf Facility, please contact Mean Green Scholarship Fund at 940-369-7284.

Nothing. Avoid this at all costs. Unfortunately, the Mountain West has become known for being reactive and waiting to see what everyone else does before making a move. They can not afford to do so this time around. The bottom line is, it is well past time for the Mountain West to become the aggressor. It is not a stretch to imagine Thompson and the conference are working behind the scenes. But until they get something done, they do not deserve the benefit of the doubt. Maintaining the status quo will not help the conference remain relevant. Losing teams will only make matters worse. The only option is to add. Preferably, they should strengthen their own conference by weakening their rival conference, the American Athletic. Also, seek to fortify itself as a basketball conference works by adding Gonzaga and St. Mary. Those teams can’t be happy BYU is pulling out of their conference, so make them an attractive offer to play against the likes of Utah State, SDSU, Colorado State, and others in what could easily become one of the six strongest MBB conferences in the nation. read more: https://www.mwcconnection.com/platform/amp/2021/9/15/22670913/peak-perspective-mountain-west-college-football-conference-realignment-battle-fight-expansion

On what is different about UNT this year… "Offensively they are high tempo and they run a lot of tempo plays. Their biggest improvement already is their defense. They've had some times that they were good on defense and probably weren't quite as good as maybe they wanted to be the last few years. I see them coming back. You know they made a change at their defensive coordinator spot, I know him. They're going to be better there and they're always tough." On preparing for UNT high tempo offense… "I think one of the things we do and we have been doing for years is we put two huddles going at us just as fast as we can go. I think that is the only way you can simulate them is just practice. You got those two huddles coming at you. Your guys are just waiting for it. It is tough, and I don't care how much you do it. They move fast, and they are going to spread you horizontally. If you look at their splits with their receivers, they are at the bottom of the numbers. So, that really opens up running lanes and you have a quarterback who can make those throws. They have a transfer from North Carolina with a big arm. He can run so it is going to be a big challenge. Last year statistically, they were one of the top teams in the country in the numbers categories." read more: https://uabsports.com/news/2021/9/13/uab-football-week-3-transcript-at-north-texas.aspx

UAB (1-1) at North Texas (1-1) When: 6:30 p.m., Sat. Where: Apogee Stadium, Denton, Texas TV: Stadium Series: UAB leads 4-1. Spread: UAB by 14.5. SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: It was mostly bad news and worse for the Blazers against Georgia, but UAB did rush for 127 yards against the Bulldogs. It’s the most a Group of 5 offense has gained on the ground against UAB since MTSU in 2018. Joe says: The Blazers open their new downtown stadium on Oct. 2, but making it there with a winning record will be a miracle. This is UAB’s third road game in three weeks, so matching UNT’s intensity will be a challenge. The loss to Georgia was ugly, but UAB is the team everyone wants to beat in CUSA. I’m trusting this senior-laden team has the ability to refocus quickly, but I also thought the defense would put up a fight against Georgia. Mystery Blazers don’t feel like a two touchdown road favorite, and turnovers hurt UNT last week against SMU. Joe’s pick: UAB 24, North Texas 21 Pro says: UAB is going to have to develop a more prolific passing game if they want to juice up the offense and have a more balanced attack. They looked stuck in the mud last week against Georgia. North Texas decided they can’t keep winning shootouts so they made the offseason hire of respected defensive coordinator Phil Bennett. Bennett is smart enough to realize Tyler Johnston III isn’t going to hurt his pass defense and will play at least seven or eight defenders in the box almost every first and second down. This spread is way too high with a punchless Blazers offense. Pro’s pick: UAB 31, North Texas 27 Hero says: The Blazers were licking their wounds after a beat down by Georgia last week, but Coach Clark will need to get his team refocused for a conference game at North Texas this week. The Blazers may struggle to regain their footing against North Texas, but they should be able to win the line of scrimmage and earn a tough conference road win. Hero’s pick: UAB 28, North Texas 20 LINK: https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2021/09/florida-quarterbacks-pose-problem-for-alabama.html

MEGALOCKS Outlook: This just might be CRAP OR GET OFF THE POT time for Seth Littrell. They showed promise a few years ago with back-to-back nine-win campaigns but have stubbed their toes the last two seasons. They look to have one of the better offenses in C-USA yet again but thinking about that defense keeps us up at night. The high-water mark is probably bowl eligibility by the skin of their teeth. Season Win Total Per 5Dimes July 26 Over 4 +105 Under 4 -125 read more: https://megalocks.co/north-texas-mean-green-2021-college-football-preview/

En route to his second season opener with the Demons, the Houston native with the outsized personality will pass another milepost that will serve as a reminder of how far Robertson has come. During their drive to Denton, Texas, for the Sept. 4 opener against North Texas, the Demons will pass exit 589 off Interstate 20 East in Kilgore, Texas, which leads traffic to Kilgore College where Robertson played two seasons of junior college football. Robertson was an all-conference linebacker in 2018, his final season at Kilgore. The trip to North Texas will take Robertson back past his former junior-college home for the first time since completing his career with the Rangers. That weekend could mark the first time since November 2019 he takes part in a college football game. "That's going to bring back a lot of memories," he said. "It's another reminder of where I came from and how hard I've worked to get to where I am now." Read more: https://nsudemons.com/news/2021/8/11/demon-football-camp-marks-return-of-eager-engaging-robertson.aspx

The remainder of the first-team offensive line has been the same through all four days of camp: Hadon Merchant at left guard, Trey Simpson at center, Kent Foster at right guard and Antawn Lewis at right tackle. The second offensive line Monday included Joshua McCulloch at left tackle (swapping places with Baker), Tyler Jernigan at left guard, James Jackson (a Mississippi State transfer) and Jack Green splitting time at center, Anterrious Gray (a North Texas transfer) at right guard and Braden Moody at right tackle. read more: https://www.al.com/usa/2021/08/south-alabama-practice-notes-fcs-transfer-making-move-on-offensive-line.html

6'5" 300lbs. 3 to play 3, May graduate Also shows offers from Samford and TSU-SM Originally from Arlington Martin. Signed with Northern CO out of high school. https://247sports.com/Player/Kaci-Moreka-46115621/junior-college-264436/ Announced via Twitter.

With a former four-star recruit in Ruder behind Aune, the quarterback situation could be similar to last season–which would bode badly for the team. If Aune has a slow start to the season, the football coaching staff will have a dilemma. Trusting Aune to improve could mean sacrificing early wins in a daunting non-conference slate, which in turn would be detrimental for team morale. On the other side of the coin, switching quarterbacks could create a similar dynamic to 2020, where neither starter was able to consistently gain their footing. Read more: https://www.ntdaily.com/column-how-much-slack-should-austin-aune-have-this-season/

read more: https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2021/08/03/why-north-texas-is-primed-for-a-defensive-rebound?ref=article_preview_img

DENTON, Texas – Fifth-year running back DeAndre Torrey was one of 57 players named to the watch list for the 2021 Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse given annually to the nation’s most versatile player, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Thursday. Torrey, who ranks among the top offensive skill players in North Texas' recent history, ranks seventh in program history for career rushing touchdowns (23), is tied for eighth in career total touchdowns (rushing/receiving/returns) with 27, stands 12th in career rushing yards (2,013) and is ninth in career all-purpose yards (3,324). The Gautier, Miss. native had 851 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns in 2020. The Paul Hornung Award, now in its 12th season, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission in the memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville in March 2021. The 2021 watch list players represent 53 universities from all 10 football conferences, plus four independent schools, that are part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The SEC leads the conferences with nine players; the Big Ten and Big 12 each landed eight players; C-USA, Mountain West and Pac 12 each have five players; the AAC and ACC have four; and the MAC and Sun Belt have three each. Independents Army, BYU, Liberty and Notre Dame each have one player on the list. The Paul Hornung Award has created an impressive legacy in 11 years including seven winners who were first round NFL draft picks – DeVonta Smith, Tavon Austin, Odell Beckham Jr., Shaq Thompson, Christian McCaffrey, Jabrill Peppers and Saquon Barkley. Hornung, who passed away in his hometown at age 84 on Nov. 13, 2020, played every position in the offensive backfield during his career with the Irish in the 1950s and also played defensive safety, punted, placekicked and returned kickoffs. He was named All-America at quarterback as a senior and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956, then was the first player selected in the NFL draft, going to Green Bay. He earned NFL MVP honors for the Packers in 1961 as a triple-threat halfback and placekicker by setting a single-season NFL scoring record that stood for 46 years. He is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and Vince Lombardi once called him, "The most versatile man ever to play the game." North Texas opens the 2021 season at Apogee Stadium against Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4. Season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets for the 2021 season are now available online. Any ticket-related questions may be directed to the Mean Green Athletics Ticket Office via email at ticketoffice@unt.edu or by phone at (940) 565-2527. Be sure to keep an eye on MeanGreenSports.com, follow Mean Green Sports on social media @MeanGreenSports and Mean Green football at @MeanGreenFB for all of the latest information on the upcoming 2021 football season.

For simplicity let's look at it like this: UT and OU are going to the SEC period end of story. A&M may not like it but they are one vote. The remaining Big 12 leftovers are going to try their very best to land in a P5 conference. They are all in a disasterous situation but landing in a P5 at least gives them some semblance of hope. Kansas has a great basketball program but their football sucks. Could they be in the Big 10 for hoops sure - they would fit in fine but not in a million years for football. Texas Tech is talking PAC12 but does the PAC12 want their sub par academics? Do Tech fans want to travel out west? Baylor is talking ACC, and the ACC may like an entre into Texas but do Clemson and those types of programs want to travel into Waco? TCU and Baylor may want to be in the PAC 12 with Tech but the PAC 12 in the past has shunned religious programs. Would they make an exception? Iowa State and K-State seem to be on an island as Iowa does not want ISU in the B10. KState is interesting but not sure the B10 is dying to add them. Big 12 could try to get on the offense and add some programs asap to keep alive. Say Houston, UCF, USF Memphis, Cincy, SMU -- all of their top targets would be in the AAC. This is how things look to me now but there are rumblings that the SEC may try to add more like Clemson and FSU... if that happens wow this whole thing could blow up and we would just have one major conference. I tend to doubt that the SEC will go there yet because I think they teeter on monopolistic practices and it would involve a lot of political wrangling but at this point who knows. As is typical for UNT, we have to wait and see what happens with SMU. If SMU were able to convince the Big 12 to take them (don't kid yourself they have money and political power) and the Big 12 was able to survive it could mean that the AAC adds UNT. The problem is what is the AAC after being robbed by the Big 12? Another C-USA?

Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2021/07/30/our-conference-realignment-wish-list/

The Big 12 has two choices. It can re-stock, looking for inventory to replace Oklahoma and Texas, rebuilding to at least 10 schools or it can make a major move and add two, four, six or 8 schools to reach the 16-team super conference level. The Big 12 had a chance to expand a few years ago and chose to maintain the status quo, a ;move which was made from a position of strength. That no longer exists. Sources in the AAC say Aresco has been working the phones and the zoom call network constantly for the past several days, putting together a deal that will be more proactive, rather than reactive. read more: Sources in the AAC say Aresco has been working the phones and the zoom call network constantly for the past several days, putting together a deal that will be more proactive, rather than reactive