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Dan McCarney talked a lot about change in the days leading up to North Texas’ season opener two weeks ago now. And UNT’s head coach wasn’t the only one. Players and school officials hinted at this year being the beginning of something new for UNT, which switched everything from conferences to uniforms, well at least for one game, in its 100th anniversary season. In the end, that was the toughest aspect of the way UNT’s game against Ohio unfolded late Saturday night. UNT had a chance to show that it is indeed a new era, and let it slip away in a 27-21 loss that had an all-too-familiar feel for the Mean Green. UNT had an opportunity to knock off a nationally respected opponent late in the second half, had a shot to win back-to-back games for the first time since 2004 and couldn’t capitalize — again. The Mean Green is now 0-23 in games following a win in the last nine seasons. “We are really close and are closing the gap on some really fine programs, but we won’t accept it,” McCarney said following the loss. “It’s not OK to lose. It’s a horrible feeling.” The situation made that feeling even worse for the Mean Green. UNT is desperate to show the program isn’t what it has been for the past several years. The 10 wins UNT has posted over its past 26 games, including a 40-6 shellacking of Idaho to open the season, show that the Mean Green is improving. UNT is just working its way out of a really dark era in its history. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20130908-brett-vito-unt-again-cant-capitalize-on-opportunity.ece

Marcus Trice led the team in tackles with 14 Zach Orr came in 2nd with 10 Akunne with 9...Sarge led the d-line with 6. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ntex/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2013-14/box_score/stats_20130908aaa.pdf

ATHENS, Ohio — North Texas followed up one of its finest offensive performances in recent years last week with a tough night in a loss to Ohio. UNT struggled early in Saturday’s game to cash in on key opportunities and couldn’t quite finish a comeback in a 27-21 loss to the Bobcats. UNT turned the ball over four times and finished with 299 yards just one week after rolling up 591 yards in a 40-6 win over Idaho. Ohio linebacker Javon Johnson intercepted a pass from UNT quarterback Derek Thompson and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. That was just one of a few mistakes that came back to haunt UNT. “We made some critical errors and big mistakes and a couple of turnovers,” UNT head coach Dan McCarney said. “The interception for a touchdown, if we get a little more air under it we might have had a touchdown. It was a 14-point swing. A little better throw, it could have been a touchdown.” Thompson finished with 195 yards and two touchdowns on a night UNT struggled to run the ball, finishing with 104 yards on 38 carries. Ohio limited Brelan Chancellor to one reception for 33 yards just one week after he finished with six catches for 135 yards against Idaho. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/20130908-early-struggles-cost-mean-green.ece

UNT (1-1) came back from a 14-point first-half deficit to tie the game up, only to see the Bobcats (1-1) methodically chew up the clock and choke the life out of the Mean Green. Ohio rolled 10 minutes and 20 seconds off the clock in the fourth quarter on 10- and 11-play drives that both ended in field goals. “That is a winning formula by a team that knows how to win and has won consistently over the years,” McCarney said. “It’s the mark of a good team. We are closing the gap on some really fine programs, but it’s not OK to lose. It’s a horrible feeling.” UNT came into the night looking to start 2-0 for the first time since the 1994 season and win back-to-back games for the first time since 2004. UNT appeared as if might reach those milestones heading into the fourth quarter. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20130908-football-bobcats-chew-up-fourth-quarter.ece

UNT was 1-0 after beating Ball State and seemed to have its game against Ohio won. The Mean Green was up seven in double overtime after Cam Montgomery scored, but gave up a 15-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal. Ohio got the ball at the UNT 2 after Eddrick Gilmore was flagged for roughing the passer. People seem to forget that part. The Bobcats scored on the two-point conversion to win the game, and Gary Payne came through with the money shot. It’s a great photo that captured the feeling of the moment, one that became awfully familiar during that particular time in UNT history. I wrote about it today in both the DRCand DMN. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/09/can-unt-get-some-revenge-today-for-this.html/

Here’s the question of the day for UNT: Can the Mean Green exact revenge in its game against Ohio today for this: Click to see image and read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/09/can-unt-get-some-revenge-today-for-this.html/ Actually, there would have to be a whole lot more done to get true revenge for a lot of people for what happened in that era, but the point today is that UNT’s last game against Ohio has to be one of the larger disappointments in years. UNT was 1-0 after beating Ball State and seemed to have its game against Ohio won. The Mean Green was up seven in double overtime after Cam Montgomery scored, but gave up a 15-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal. Ohio got the ball at the UNT 2 after Eddrick Gilmore was flagged for roughing the passer. People seem to forget that part.

One of the great aspects of college football is that it gives guys opportunities they might have had otherwise in life. As far as the game goes, I had a chance to take a closer look at the matchup last night while working on my gameday page, one of the big projects of the week. This game really could come down to whether or not UNT can slow down Ohios offense. Tyler Tettleton is a really, really good college quarterback and Beau Blakenship can pound the ball with the best of them. UNT is not particularly big up front defensively. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/09/friday-afternoon-football-links-tidbits-and-thoughts.html/

-Ohio opens the home portion of its 2013 schedule on Saturday as it welcomes North Texas to Peden Stadium. -Saturday night's game will be aired on ESPN3. Ohio has had its last 10 home games aired on television. -The Bobcats enter week two after dropping a 49-7 decision to No. 9 Louisville this past Sunday. -Ohio has won each of its last three home openers. -The Bobcats were picked to win the Mid-American Conference East Division crown for the second-consecutive season. -Ohio posted its second-consecutive bowl victory in the 2012 Advocare V100 Independence Bowl. -The Bobcats will look to become bowl eligible for the sixth time in the last eight years. -The Bobcats also will be in search of their fourth MAC East title under the direction of head coach Frank Solich. A WIN OVER NORTH TEXAS WOULD... -Mark the Bobcats' fourth-consecutive home-opening victory. -Give the Bobcats' their 16th win in their last 22 games dating back to the 2011 season. -Improve Ohio's record at home to 20-5 dating back to the start of the 2009 season. -Mark the Bobcats' second straight win over North Texas. -Give head coach Frank Solich his 60th career win at Ohio, which would pass him by former Miami head coach Randy Walker and place him 12th on the MAC all-time career wins list. -Hand quarterback Tyler Tettleton's 20th win as a starter. Tettleton currently owns a 19-9 mark since taking over as the Bobcats' starting quarterback in 2011. WHAT TO WATCH FOR -Quarterback Tyler Tettleton needs just 87 yards passing to surpass 6,500 yards passing for his career. In 2012, Tettleton averaged 237 yards passing per game. -Running back Beau Blankenship is just one score shy of collecting his 20th career touchdown. -Blankenship will be in search of his fourth 100 yard game in his last five contests. In 2012, he surpassed 100 yards rushing in a school-record nine games. Read more: http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090413aaf.html