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Overview: Offense The Mean Green will seek to build upon a strong running attack behind an experienced offensive line. Having produced the fifth-best rushing offense in 2021, at more than 230 yards per game, North Texas returns three running backs who accounted for almost 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Make no mistake: the running game will continue from last year to form the base of their 2022 campaign. The questions will arise when that ground game is challenged and another way to win is needed. The passing game may require time to develop at quarterback, but the receivers should be able to move the chains as a capable, if not explosive, part of the offense. If there is stability at quarterback, whether it be Aune or one of the others in a relatively deep quarterbacks room, this team can easily perform well enough to get to a bowl game once again. Built on a strong running game, the offense should be an entertaining team to watch in 2022. Defense This defense has had its share of ups and downs, from injuries last year to losses in the transfer portal this year. But North Texas gets a number of players healthy to start the 2022 campaign, players that will need to step up quickly to improve upon a difficult scoring defense (ranked 79th, at 27.5 points per game). The defensive line will be a point of concern, with losses in the transfer portal, but improved linebacker play should fortify the front seven overall. Senior Quinn Whitlock returns from injury to the “Eagle” position (a linebacker/safety hybrid) that also bolster a defense looking to improve overall. Any positives in the turnover department will help as well, as the team finished 70th nationally. Read more: https://mwwire.com/2022/08/11/unlv-football-first-look-at-the-north-texas-mean-green/

Just thrilled with the turnout, the fans were decked out in green, loud and proud ALL game long! Of course proud of the team, the coaches and the administration. It was truly a team effort today, everyone did their part. I want to thank Coach Mac -- he has made such a huge difference for this University and led us to certainly of our proudest moments as alumni and fans with todays big win on national television. Derek Thompson took a lot of criticism this and prior seasons so it was so fitting to see him win the MVP award today. So happy for him and all of the seniors being able to finish on a high note like this. What a great way to start off the new year! I am tired and hoarse but EXTREMELY proud of The Mean Green Nation! GO MEAN GREEN!!

Enough about attendance already let's game talk! It is time! Anybody watch a UNLV game this season? Any thoughts on how we match up? We are showing as 6.5 favs with an under over at 56 -- tells me the oddsmakers like our defense. But again who is UNLV? What are their strengths? Link to final regular season stats in their win over San Diego State (who dominated their bowl game against Buffalo): http://www.unlvrebels.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2013-2014/sd-lv.html Initial impressions: Team has good size across both lines. At least on paper they look like a big, athletic team across all positions. A 6-3, QB who can run. An all star RB and WR. Two 6-7 Olinemen, a 6-6 255 Tight End, A 6-1, 250 linebacker that looks mean and an athletic secondary. I've said it before and will say it again, for those wanting revenge against UTSA this is your chance. This team looks and plays a LOT like UTSA to me witha QB that can hurt you with the run and pass. They will load up against the run and force DT to beat them in the passing game. This game could present a big challenge to us both offensively and defensively as UNLV started clicking late in the season and their overall 7-4 record could be deceiving. UNLV Two Deep Offense C 79 WATERMAN, R. (6-2, 290) LG 78 JEFFERSON, C. (6-6, 300) LT 69 Boyko, Brett (6-7, 310) RG 72 Scoggins, Ron (6-3, 335) RT 73 Oberg, Andrew (6-7, 280) QB 8 Herring, Caleb (6-3, 200) RB 35 Cornett, Tim (6-0, 210) WR 81 Davis, Devante (6-3, 210) WR 18 SULLIVAN, M. (5-9, 195) TE 46 Phillips, Jake (6-6, 255) H 16 BARNHILL, T. (6-4, 240) Defense DE 93 Sanitoa, Sonny (6-3, 260) DT 97 Garrick, Mark (6-4, 280) DT 99 Gaston, Tyler (6-3, 295) DE 85 SPARKMAN, J. (6-6, 265) LB 55 Lotulelei, Tau (6-1, 220) LB 41 Maka, Tani (6-1, 250) LB 43 Hasson, Tim (6-2, 215) CB 17 Penny, Kenneth (5-11, 170) SS 42 Vea, Peni (6-1, 200) FS 32 Horsey, Mike (6-0, 180) CB 29 Hasson, Tajh (6-1, 195) Six players honored by Phil Steele: LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Six UNLV football players were named to Phil Steele's 2013 Postseason All-MW Team, including first-team pick Devante Davis. Davis, a junior wide receiver, has shattered the UNLV record for touchdown receptions in a season with 14 and is just the second Rebel since 1994 to reach the 1,000-yard mark. His 1,194 yards through 12 games is the third-most in program history while his 77 catches stand fourth in a season at UNLV. Senior running back Tim Cornett, who is UNLV's all-time rushing king and ranks second in conference history with 3,700 yards, was named to the second team. In 2013 he has 1,251 net yards and 15 touchdowns rushing to go with a career-high 142 yards on 28 receptions. Joining him on the second team was offensive tackle Brett Boyko. The junior left tackle has allowed just one quarterback sack through 12 games. A trio of Rebels was named to the Third Team: defensive lineman Mark Garrick, safety Peni Vea and cornerback Frank Crawford. UNLV continues its preparations for the Heart of Dallas Bowl vs. North Texas on New Year's Day. Tickets are $75 apiece (UNLV students with valid I.D. are $20 apiece with a limit of two) and available now by calling (702) 739-FANS (3267) or visiting www.unlvtickets.com.

The University of North Texas Mean Green is headed to its first bowl game in nine years! I am excited as both a Dentonite and an alum. The Mean Green will face the University of Nevada at Las Vegas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on New Years Day at the Cotton Bowl stadium. Back in the Sunbelt Conference days, UNT went to the New Orleans bowl four years in a row, from 2001-04. Since then, our football luck hasnt been so great. For head coach Dan McCarney and his team, this ball game has been their goal since he arrived on the scene three seasons ago to put Mean Green football back on the map. Rick Villarreal, director of UNT athletics, is charged up about the bowl game but not surprised. This is an exciting time, he said. A lot of people thought with this being our first year in Conference USA, that wed have to grow into it. But weve been getting ready for this for a long time. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20131221-kim-phillips-unt-bowl-game-puts-spotlight-on-denton.ece

UNLV may have advantages offensively with a solid run game and more capable passing attack. Caleb Herring posted a stellar 22-4 TD-to-INT ratio and also showed the ability to run the football. I also like that UNLV did a good job taking care of the football with only 13 turnovers lost. That's an important stat considering North Texas posted the nation's fourth most takeaways with 32. And in NT's two most impressive wins (Ball State and Rice) they were +6 in TO margin. It is pretty formulaic – if UNLV doesn't cough up the football, the gap between these two squads is minimal. After looking closely at this matchup, my opinion hasn't changed much. I like and respect both teams and while North Texas has a few fundamental edges, this isn't a "class difference" type game. I think it is telling that the contest opened 6.5 at CRIS and Pinny and hasn't budged much if any offshore or in Vegas – not unusual as early bettors like to key in on motivational angles. As mentioned, both teams obviously excited to be in this position. Probably a lot of bettors, including myself, that hope to see a good old fashion +7 at some point. Not sure we'll get there but I'll be a buyer if it happens. read more: http://www.sportsmemo.com/blogs/view/?name=Heart-of-Dallas-Betting-Preview:-UNLV-Rebels-vs-North-Texas-Mean-Green&blog_id=14090&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Rest assured, there isnt an ounce of dismay around UNLV today. Four years after he arrived from one of those deep fishing holes in Montana, the ones were he might stand in the middle of a blizzard to cast his line for a trout he most always would release, Bobby Hauck has led UNLV into somewhat uncharted waters. This is just the fourth time in program history the Rebels will go bowling and the first in nearly three decades they will do so in another state, thanks to a 7-5 record in which Haucks team won more games than the previous three years combined. The opponent is also one of college footballs feel-good stories of 2013, a program much like UNLV that has rebuilt itself from the ashes of obscurity. North Texas finished third in the West Division of Conference USA and won six of its last seven games. It seems like a good time, then, to learn a little about the Mean Green: ▶ The University of North Texas is located in Denton, near the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex between Oklahoma and Texas on Interstate 35. It lies on the southern end of what is commonly referred to as Tornado Alley, meaning Smatresk could move into his new house one day and be a modern-day Dorothy flying his way to Oz the next. Which I suppose would make Gerry Bomotti the Wicked Financial Witch of the East. ▶ You can drive from the middle of campus to Cotton Bowl Stadium in 50 minutes on a clear day, meaning the Mean Green should have a decided advantage in seats filled. Hauck on a conference call Sunday evening said he hopes North Texas brings all of Denton and any neighboring counties, because if one thing looks better on television than a New Years Day bowl, its one with actual people cheering it. Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/ed-graney/believe-it-or-not-unlv-jan-1-bowl