DRC FB Defense makes progress in scrimmage

[OldTimer]

UNT defense makes progress in scrimmage

Players feeling more comfortable with system

08:15 PM CDT on Sunday, August 20, 2006

By Brett Vito/Staff Writer

Senior linebacker Shawn Early could sense the North Texas defense take another step in the right direction in its second live scrimmage of fall practice on Saturday.

UNT’s defense dominated its first scrimmage earlier in the week and then posted another solid performance in its second time out. The Mean Green’s players and coaches saw both scrimmages as key steps toward getting used to playing in a base 3-4 alignment under new coordinator in Fred Bleil.

“We are starting to pick up the defense,” Early said. “We are not thinking so much and are just reacting. The scrimmages were big steps. We were able to put more packages in and the coaches are not having to tell us what we are doing wrong. We are picking it up and are not making as many mistakes.”

UNT is hoping the progress it has made in its first two scrimmages is a sign that it will be able to bounce back from a 2-9 season. The Mean Green’s defense that once dominated the Sun Belt finished at the bottom of the league in several categories and was last in both scoring defense (31.5 points per game) and total defense (436.6 yards allowed a game).

UNT coach Darrell Dickey shook up his staff following the 2005 season and hired Bleil to coordinate the Mean Green’s defense.

So far, UNT’s coaches like the way their defense is developing.

“We are happy with the way those guys are progressing,” Dickey said. “We had one lull late where our intensity dropped off, but they recaptured it and finished strong. Our only problem is we are giving up too many big plays at times. Overall, we are pleased with where our defense is, but they still have a lot of work to do.”

UNT will have one last chance to fine-tune its defense in a scrimmage on Saturday before the Mean Green take on Texas in their season opener on Sept. 2.

Meager returns, Wilson limited

Sophomore quarterback Daniel Meager returned to practice on Sunday after missing UNT’s scrimmage on Saturday.

UNT held Meager out because he felt woozy after taking several hard shots in practice during the week, including a hit that kept him out of the second half of Friday’s practice. Meager had plenty of opportunities to work with the Mean Green’s first team offense because UNT’s coaches decided to limit junior Woody Wilson’s playing time.

Wilson played in his first scrimmage of fall practice on Saturday and was sore from the workout.

Pistole back to defense

Junior Chase Pistole saw his short stint at center come to an end on Sunday when he moved back to defensive line.

Pistole was recruited to play on UNT’s defensive line and spent his first season as a backup before moving to center in the offseason. Pistole was competing with freshman Kelvin Drake and redshirt freshman Bryan Glass for the backup spot behind starter Chad Rose.

“It’s a matter of getting guys placed,” Dickey said. “Kelvin Drake is one reason we moved Chase back. We were concerned about depth at center, but Kelvin and Bryan Glass have really come on. Now Chase can go back to his natural position and that is where his heart is anyway.”

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