Tulsa 0-2 at North Texas 1-0

MeanGreen61 · September 16, 2005

Sports

Tulsa (0-2) at North Texas (1-0)

September 16, 2005

NT fans should expect a heavy dose of running backs Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas Saturday night.

In its home opener, the Mean Green will host the University of Tulsa, which has allowed over 200 yards rushing in each of its first two games. But other teams’ success running the ball against the Golden Hurricane is not the only reason to expect a heavy workload from the Cobbs/Thomas backfield.

Last week, the Tulsa defense neutralized Oklahoma freshman quarterback Rhett Bomar, limiting him to five completions on 13 attempts for 42 yards, and forced him into throwing two interceptions. NT coach Darrell Dickey said the Golden Hurricane defense is very effective.

“They can look the same and either play coverage or they can pressure,” Dickey said.

The Mean Green’s ability to run the ball will also have a critical impact on the NT defense, as it faces an offense Dickey as high regards for.

“Tulsa, offensively, is a team that I have great respect for,” Dickey said. “Steve Kragthorpe is as fine an offensive coach and as fine of a head coach as there is in the country. And what they do offensively causes you some problems.”

One of the main problems that comes with facing Tulsa is the ability of Hurricane quarterback Paul Smith.

“He was under pressure, he was throwing balls as he was going down, he was making plays, moving the ball against a very good defensive football team,” Dickey said.

Smith’s favorite target is one of the best tight ends in the nation, Garrett Mills. Last week against Oklahoma, Mills had 13 catches for 152 yards. He also extended his consecutive games with a reception streak, which now stands at 29.