FW*Telegram: NT football notes..Cobb hurting

OldTimer · November 18, 2005

Posted on Wed, Nov. 16, 2005

NORTH TEXAS FOOTBALL NOTES

No bowl, but UNT can't quit

By JEFF WILSON

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON - Games in late November have been significant ones for North Texas the past four seasons. Conference titles and bowl berths have been won and seasons have been extended into December.

Not this season. A 26-23 loss Saturday at Florida Atlantic eliminated any chance of the Mean Green capturing its fifth consecutive Sun Belt title and a fifth straight berth in the New Orleans Bowl.

But, with two home games remaining -- the first against conference leader Louisiana-Monroe at 6 p.m. Saturday -- UNT isn't quitting. A class of successful seniors wants to close out with a couple of victories.

"Just winning is the motivation for these last two games," coach Darrell Dickey said. "I think it has to do with they have a lot of pride, and they want to finish their careers on a very positive note. I see nothing but positive attitude out of those guys."

QB quandary

Backup quarterback Matt Phillips helped rally UNT from a 17-6 second-half deficit Saturday after starter Daniel Meager was knocked out of the game with a concussion.

Phillips, a true freshman from San Angelo Lakeview, was 8-of-16 for 138 yards and a touchdown.

He also ran 5 yards for another score and put the Mean Green in position to force overtime with a 47-yard field-goal try that just missed.

Darrell Dickey said Meager, a redshirt freshman from Richardson Pearce, has improved and could play Saturday, but his availability to practice during the week will determine who starts.

"Even if Daniel's well, Matt may warrant more playing time," Dickey said. "Matt's a very good quarterback, and he seems to have a very good presence about him. He's done well for the limited time playing in games and practice-wise that he's had."

Little things

The Mean Green's three conference losses have been by three points each, and Darrell Dickey said the main culprit has been not placing importance on what he called "little things."

That includes the kicking game. UNT missed an extra point, failed to get off a field-goal try and missed another field-goal try Saturday.

"That's seven points in a three-point game," he said. "Those are the things we feel like we can control, and they just haven't been happening for us."

More injuries

UNT avoided injuries through much of the first half of the season, but aches and pains are starting to mount.

Darrell Dickey said running back Jamario Thomas is day-to-day with a hamstring injury after not playing Saturday.

Running back Patrick Cobbs is nursing ankle and shoulder injuries but should play Saturday.

Linebacker Maurice Holman and safety Roderick Cotton were nursing leg injuries and didn't travel to Miami. Dickey said he expects Holman to return to practice this week.

ONLINE: meangreensports.com

IN THE KNOW

LOUISIANA-MONROE AT NORTH TEXAS

6 p.m. Saturday,

Fouts Field, Denton

Radio: KNTU/88.1 FM,

KWRD/100.7 FM

Records: La.-Monroe 4-5, 4-1 Sun Belt; North Texas 2-7, 2-3

Tickets: $8-$16;

(800) 868-2366,

www.meangreensports.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jeff Wilson, (817) 390-7953 jwilson@star-telegram.com

UNTLifer · November 18, 2005

Little things
The Mean Green's three conference losses have been by three points each, and Darrell Dickey said the main culprit has been not placing importance on what he called "little things."
That includes the kicking game. UNT missed an extra point, failed to get off a field-goal try and missed another field-goal try Saturday.
"That's seven points in a three-point game," he said. "Those are the things we feel like we can control, and they just haven't been happening for us."

Maybe if you didn't let the players out of practice early this could/would be corrected. Just a thought.

Mad Hatter · November 18, 2005

If Cobbs and Thomas can't go, could we see the freshman Robertson? I don't think he's played all year, so he might be able to keep his Redhirt. How much can you play before you burn the redshirt?

MootPoint · November 18, 2005

How much can you play before you burn the redshirt?
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None.

SilverEagle · November 18, 2005

If Cobbs and/or Thomas cannot go, then we will probably switch Mitchell to TB. I think he did just fine last year against ArkSt.

mrsgreengoblin · November 18, 2005

"Even if Daniel's well, Matt may warrant more playing time," Dickey said. "Matt's a very good quarterback, and he seems to have a very good presence about him. He's done well for the limited time playing in games and practice-wise that he's had."
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So I guess DD changed his mind between Wed. and Thursday?