DRC Notebook: Starting line up chgs, Cobbs Meager

OldTimer · October 16, 2005

Notebook: Cobbs: QB Meager shows improvement

08:10 AM CDT on Sunday, October 16, 2005

By BRETT VITO / Staff Writer

MIAMI – North Texas running back Patrick Cobbs said Saturday that he has seen improvement from redshirt freshman quarterback Daniel Meager on a regular basis this season.

That improvement was evident during UNT's 13-10 win over Florida International at FIU Stadium.

Meager didn't exactly light up the scoreboard, but he took care of the ball, avoided mistakes and threw what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown pass when he found junior wide receiver Johnny Quinn on a slant pattern in the end zone in the third quarter from 7 yards out.

The performance was a good sign from Meager, who entered the game off a tough outing against Troy.

Colleges

North Texas 13,

Florida International 10

UNT's defense comes up big again in win over FIU

Defense spectacular for UNT

Notebook: Cobbs: QB Meager shows improvement

Game summary

More North Texas

"Daniel is definitely growing up," Cobbs said. "He is getting better and better each week. He made some key passes and used his feet to get out of a lot of situations and kept our offense going and that is all we need."

Meager came into the game averaging just 90.8 yards a game passing and was completing just 45 percent of his passes.

Meager didn't reach his average, but was efficient and came up with some important plays. That is all UNT typically asks of its quarterback

Meager completed 10 of 15 passes for 79 yards and tossed the first touchdown pass of his career. He also had 13 rushing yards.

The former Richardson Pearce standout's performance marked a dramatic improvement from a 9-for-26 outing against Troy in UNT's last game. Meager tossed a pair of interceptions in that game.

FIU plays without West

Ben West's moment in the spotlight for FIU came to an end when Golden Panthers coach Don Strock suspended his starting running back indefinitely for a violation of team policy.

The announcement made just before the game came just two weeks after West posted one of the best performances for a running back in the short history of the program in a 23-3 win over Florida A&M in the Golden Panthers last game. West became just the second player in FIU history to rush for more the 200 yards in a game against FAU when he finished with 214 yards.

West moved into the starting lineup when starter Julian Reams was forced to miss the game with a neck stinger. Reams was back into the starting lineup and rushed for 78 yards against UNT.

UNT juggles lineup

UNT juggled its lineup for its game against FIU, elevating defensive end Willie Ransom and tackle Josh Alexander into the starting lineup.

UNT coach Darrell Dickey had praised the performance of both players who entered the season as backups in recent weeks.

Ransom returned a fumble 21 yards in a loss to Troy in the Mean Green's last game while Alexander had seen additional time on UNT's offensive line.

Ransom replaced senior defensive end Eli Hutchinson, while Brown took sophomore Jeremy Brown's spot in the lineup.

Briefly ...

Nick Bazaldua kicked a field goals from 20 and 41 yards to break out of a slump that had seen him make just one of his first four attempts on the season. ... Junior wide receiver Johnny Quinn caught two passes for 18 yards and extended his streak of games with at least one catch to 30 games, a streak that ranks ninth among receivers at Division I-A schools.

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BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

PlummMeanGreen · October 16, 2005

Live with Dan Meager, folks, we don't have any Joe Namaths sitting on our bench. I think Meager with last year's NT football team would surprise many on this board. He is taking his knocks now (and no injury as many on this forum forecasted and I knock on wood saying that); but he is taking his knocks this year much like Troy Aikman did his 1'st year with the Cowboys and, no, I am not comparing the 2 talents, but sometimes your football team is just in a rebuilding mode whether our best fans want to accept that or not.

GMG!

Edited October 16, 2005 by PlummMeanGreen

MootPoint · October 16, 2005

The announcement made just before the game came just two weeks after West posted one of the best performances for a running back in the short history of the program in a 23-3 win over Florida A&M in the Golden Panthers last game. West became just the second player in FIU history to rush for more the 200 yards in a game against FAU when he finished with 214 yards.
while Brown took sophomore Jeremy Brown's spot in the lineup.
←

Brett must have been up late:)

Edited October 16, 2005 by MootPoint