FW*Telegram article NT hopes Wilson provides

OldTimer · September 13, 2006

UNT hopes Wilson provides spark at QBBy TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON - Woody Wilson could have sold his dream down the river. At North Texas, he didn't have to.

Wilson's path to his first NCAA Division I start at quarterback Saturday at Tulsa isn't a straight one, like one of his scrambles.

UNT (1-1) will try to build on Saturday's 24-6 victory against SMU in which Wilson came off the bench and sparked two Mean Green scoring drives. Wilson, a two-time all-state selection at Fayetteville (Ark.) East Campus High, signed with Arkansas in 2004 but had his eligibility derailed by a low ACT score.

He signed with Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, redshirted in 2004 and started six games in 2005 before breaking his collarbone.

"I took off on a long run and a dude just tackled me," Wilson said. "He fell on me the wrong way and it just snapped."

At that time, SEC and Big 12 schools were again recruiting Wilson. Just not at quarterback.

"They all wanted me to play defensive back or wide receiver," Wilson said. "Then UNT came along."

Only UNT and Kansas wanted Wilson under center. He weighed playing opportunities against conference prestige.

"I didn't really care who was in what conference," he said. "Besides, I'd already spent two years in Kansas. I wanted to get out."

He got a jump on UNT's system in the spring and overcame a knee sprain early in fall camp. Against then-No. 3 Texas, Wilson came off the bench to lead UNT on its only scoring drive (80 yards), capping it with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Jackson.

"He's been outstanding except for right after that first scoring drive," UNT coach Darrell Dickey said. "He kind of came over like he was Joe Montana, thinking, 'I'm the guy. I can do it all. Let me call the plays.'"

On the heels of that adrenaline rush came dehydration and a date with an IV-fluids bag. Wilson returned to the game and has checked his excitement since then.

"I know I've progressed, but I need to keep studying film and get better every day," he said.

Wilson's 33-yard touchdown run on a broken play against SMU for a 14-6 lead was a sign of quick progress. UNT's trademark between-the-tackles running game is struggling, and Wilson's ability to stretch the defense sideways and create running lanes factors into him starting, Dickey said.

"His strengths are going to help our problems right now," Dickey said. "[Previous starter] Matt Phillips has not been terrible. He missed only one play the other night, but the offense didn't do quite as well when he just happened to be in there. [With Wilson], we get defended a little differently."

As a passer, Wilson was 8-for-10 for 103 yards against SMU. Dickey wants Wilson to make more plays through the air but doesn't want to "coach him out of his natural ability."

"There's a fine line," said Dickey, who added that Wilson needs to check plays better. "We don't want to handcuff him, but we don't want it to be P.E. football, either."

UNT AT TULSA, 6 P.M. SATURDAY, KWRD/100.7 FM, KNTU/88.1 FM

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Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760 tphillips@star-telegram.com

edcollopy · September 13, 2006

outstanding piece...really shows what a coach has to deal w/ when he has a great athlete under center. It's a fine line keeping the game under control and playing street ball. Hopefully getting a nice mix will keep defenses guessing and get us some more wins.

September 13, 2006

"He kind of came over like he was STEAMIN WILLIE BEAMIN, thinking, 'I'm the guy. I can do it all. Let me call the plays.'"

This is why Dickey held him out of the starting spot?

ahahahhdhahahaha ... that is funny stuff.

I like that confidence. It won't make you the most popular player with the coaches.. but I learned a long time ago -- it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.