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North Texas’ football practice fields are back in use with busy bodies taking part in three weeks of spring practice that begins Wednesday. The annual rite and tuneup for the fall be very different from a year ago when 78 scholarship players and walk-ons participated. This year, more than 100 will be participating. For a program slashed-and-burned and reseeded by coach Dan McCarney three years ago, that’s a bigger development than someone actually fully grasping calculus with infinitesimals. Competition for positions and playing time will be at its height under McCarney, who believes that is the best script for ensuring that the fittest survive at every slot on Saturday afternoons in the fall when the Mean Green begins its first season in Conference USA. The season opens at home against Idaho on Aug. 31. The team’s green and white spring game is at 2 p.m. April 13 at Apogee Stadium. No other position exemplifies this new reality than at quarterback, where two-year starter Derek Thompson faces perhaps the stiffest test of his football career against returning letterman Andrew McNulty, a junior, and Brock Berglund, a highly touted sophomore transfer from Kansas who is eligible after sitting out last year. “When I say it’s wide open, it’s wide open,” McCarney said of a number of position battles. “And if a two-time starting quarterback and captain leading our offense … understands that, and he does, then you better bring your A-game every day.” Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/03/19/4714604/competition-heats-up-as-north.html Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/03/19/4714604/competition-heats-up-as-north.html#storylink=cpy

DENTON -- North Texas football players left Apogee Stadium on Saturday night kicking themselves about the Sun Belt Conference opener that got away. In a game in which big plays on the offensive side were few, Troy had the biggest and most timely. Chip Reeves' 76-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Corey Robinson early in the third quarter was the difference in Troy's 14-7 victory over the Mean Green. But there's much, much more below the surface to explain why the Mean Green fell to 1-3 overall. North Texas missed field goals of 47, 40 and 27 yards, converted only 2 of 14 third downs and failed to score on six possessions inside Troy's 30-yard line. "That's a frustrating loss," North Texas coach Dan McCarney said. "We have to execute better. How we handle a setback like this and the adversity will be a real measure of where we go." North Texas goes on the road against Florida Atlantic and a nonconference match with Houston on Oct. 6 before returning home against Louisiana-Lafayette on Oct. 16. Whether the Mean Green returns home with more wins than losses will likely be determined on improvement in special teams and execution in the red zone. Zach Olen missed wide left on field-goal attempts of 47 and 40 yards in the first half. Freshman Zach Paul missed wide right from 27 yards in the third quarter. McCarney, who said Olen kicked a 57-yarder in practice last week, twice opted to go for it on fourth down in field-goal range after the third miss. Olen is 2 for 5 with one attempt blocked this season. "Those things are deflating," McCarney said. "We had some real good drives to get in those positions, and then when you come out empty-handed, those things are tough. We've got to get it fixed." Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/09/22/4281125/north-texas-lets-sun-belt-opener.html#storylink=cpy