FW*Telegram NT rushes to judgment, dominant

[OldTimer]

Fri, Sep. 23, 2005

UNT rushes to judgment

By JEFF WILSON

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

The numbers for North Texas' offense through two games are alarming: 222 rushing yards; Jamario Thomas has 20 carries for 71 yards; and the Mean Green's defense and special teams have scored more points (nine) than the offense (seven).

It could be more of the same at 1 p.m. Saturday in Manhattan, Kan. UNT will be outmanned when it plays at Kansas State, but the four quarters at Wagner Field will give the Mean Green its first chance at rediscovering the one thing that has put it on the national landscape the past two seasons.

A dominant ground game, coaches and players believe, will help UNT (1-1) jump-start its season and run to a fifth consecutive Sun Belt Conference crown.

"We are the epitome right now of an offense that is a work in progress," Mean Green coach Darrell Dickey said. "I'm very disappointed we haven't been able to run the ball better. That's what we pride ourselves in, and that's been the key to us having success."

Two things are different on offense this season -- the quarterback and the offensive line. UNT spent the past two seasons with an efficient veteran, Scott Hall, under center. Hall helped soften defenses against the run with accurate play-action passes.

Hall's gone, and Daniel Meager is in. The redshirt freshman has struggled in the first two games as he learns how to handle the offense. Defenses are keying on the run and daring Meager, who has only 185 yards in two games, to pass.

The offensive line, though not as young as Meager, lacks experience in three of five positions. Dickey said the unit lacks the chemistry required for a successful zone-blocking team. UNT averaged only 1.9 yards per carry in a 54-2 loss to Tulsa last weekend, but all-conference guard Dylan Lineberry said the line improves each day.

"When you've got Patrick [Cobbs] and Jamario out there, it's frustrating when we can't move the ball," he said. "It's not one person's fault, but it falls on the offensive line. We're close, and I think we'll get there."

Lineberry said the line needs more consistency, five players doing the right thing at the same time. That ranges from reading whom to block to holding a block longer.

Doing those things will spring Cobbs, the 2003 national rushing champ, who has 203 yards this season, and Thomas, the NCAA's defending leading rusher, who is hampered by a hamstring injury.

Then, things could return to normal when North Texas resumes Sun Belt play Oct. 4 against defensive-minded Troy, an expected title contender.

"For what we do offensively, you've got to have 11 people all on the same page performing as one," Dickey said. "I think if we can get our running game where it's supposed to be, it will solve a lot of problems. But there are a lot of things that have to happen for it to get where we want it to be."

meangreensports.com

IN THE KNOW

NORTH TEXAS AT KANSAS STATE

1 p.m. Saturday, Wagner Field, Manhattan, Kan.

TV: None

Radio: KWRD/100.7 FM, KNTU/88.1 FM

Records: North Texas 1-1, Kansas State 2-0

UNT KEYS TO THE GAME

Find running game: Don't expect much vs. Kansas State, but North Texas' offense can take the first step to a dominant ground game by finding chemistry and consistency.

Get O-line on line: Reducing penalties and staying on blocks longer will help spring the running game and keep QB Daniel Meager upright in the pocket.

Turnovers: The defense went from five in the opener to zero last week. A few against the Wildcats might build confidence and jump-start the offense.

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