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The Playmaker Jamario ThomasMean Green hopes Thomas recaptures his freshman form

By TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

APTwo days after his first collegiate start in 2004, true freshman running back Jamario Thomas was being wired for a live interview on ESPN.

Thomas had torn through Colorado for 247 yards after backing up Patrick Cobbs in North Texas' first two games. Cobbs was hurt, and the show belonged to Thomas now.

UNT media-relations officials had just a few hours to calm a petrified Thomas and prep him for a national live broadcast. For all involved at UNT, this was unfamiliar ground.

Thomas and his handlers made it through that shaky two minutes, all vowing to be better prepared next time. At some point, they thought, there will be a next time.

After a frustrating 2005 season, Thomas returns as UNT's primary playmaker. His marvelous freshman debut led to an NCAA-best 1,801 yards gained, but last season a hamstring injury reduced him to merely mortal.

Thomas, a Longview native, wants 2006 to be a return to form, but neither he nor UNT coaches are using 2004 as a strict measure of expectation.

"He helps us play the game on our terms," UNT coach Darrell Dickey said of controlling a game's tempo and resting the defense. "For a true freshman, he was very remarkable. But it all doesn't fall on his shoulders."

Thomas came into 2004 with no expectations, so Dickey said he doesn't want Thomas to fixate on trying to duplicate that season. But, UNT could better mask some problem areas if Thomas gets back to a double-digit touchdown pace (17 in 2004).

"Last year was terrible," Thomas said. "I just want to get out there and make plays, have fun and help us win games. I'm not thinking about what happened two years ago."

The vitals

Height: 5-11

Weight: 210

Hometown: Longview

Birthday: May 10, 1985

Mental makeup

Thomas has never questioned himself for choosing UNT over bigger programs such as Arizona State or Texas Tech. He feeds off the uphill battle he and his teammates often face.

Work ethic

It sounds overused, but Thomas has put in the extra time required of every college team's best player -- not only to get better, but also to stay healthy.

Vision

Thomas guesses well when predicting what an onrushing defender might do, and he's good at setting up blockers.

Upper-body strength

Thomas works on this physical feature most. He can bench-press around 430 pounds and beat back high tackles if he stays low.

Acceleration

Give Thomas room, and he's gone. He doesn't overhesitate when reading holes and loves vertical running.

Intangible

Thomas takes a good approach toward his teammates, fancying himself as a "regular guy." In college, talent has a way of creating caste systems, but Thomas really has earned the Mean Green's trust.

Signature game

Had a season-high 83 yards on 26 carries in LSU's 56-3 rout of UNT. Ordinary-looking on the surface, but a bad hamstring plagued Thomas all last season.

Stop sign

Thomas can be tempted to leap or go high when he cuts. This resulted in a concussion and chin stitches in a recent drill, so he's trying to avoid the practice.

Sun Belt preview

1. Louisiana-Lafayette QB Jerry Babb is the most accurate passer in school history at 58.1 percent for his career.

2. North Texas RB Jamario Thomas rushed for 200 or more yards against five Sun Belt opponents in 2004 before a 2005 injury.

3. Arkansas State DB Tyrell Johnson was the Indians' leading tackler and defensive leader on ASU's first New Orleans Bowl team.

4. Troy WR/QB Gary Banks, a former Cubs farmhand, has moved to split end but could play QB if needed.

5. Middle Tennessee QB Clint Marks became the MTSU's first to throw for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons.

6. Louisiana-Monroe DB Kevin Payne was the Sun Belt's freshman of the year as a RB in 2003 before switching to defense.

7. Florida Atlantic WR/KR Frantz Simeon had 309 all-purpose yards as a sophomore and will get more touches.

8. Florida International QB Josh Padrick, a fifth-year senior, was the Sun Belt's leading passer with 2,461 yards and 13 scores.

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MeanGreenBuzz Newbie

MeanGreenBuzz

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Chuck Norris?

Chuck Norris reference = - 50 board rep points.

Back on topic though. I could care less if we lose by 40 to Texas if JMo puts up 200+ yards and atleast 1 TD. It would atleast bring some credibility to the team. I do think we will keep it closer this year than they last time we played them more in line with the '02 game.

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mad dog Newbie

mad dog

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Right on the second try, adman: it was Toby Nwigwe. J-Mo tried a juke, but Toby guessed correctly where he'd be and popped him harder than I've ever seen Jamario hit since he's been at North Texas. He's usually far too fluid a runner to get lit up like that.

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SilverEagle Mentor

SilverEagle

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Right on the second try, adman: it was Toby Nwigwe.  J-Mo tried a juke, but Toby guessed correctly where he'd be and popped him harder than I've ever seen Jamario hit since he's been at North Texas.  He's usually far too fluid a runner to get lit up like that.

I saw him get "lit up" in the last NO bowl.

I'm hoping that Toby can duplicate his Ja-Mo hit on Charles or Young.

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