DRC Thomas gets running game back on track

[OldTimer]

Football: Thomas gets running game back on track

11:19 PM CDT on Saturday, September 23, 2006

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

AKRON, Ohio -- Jamario Thomas looked a little like the player who won a national rushing title in 2004 during the Mean Green’s 33-13 loss to Akron on Saturday at the Rubber Bowl.

The former Longview Spring Hill standout scored a touchdown and finished with 120 yards, his first 100-yard game since he rushed for 291 yards in the 10th week of the 2004 season, when he led the nation with an average of 180.1 yards per game.

For the DRC/Jeff Harwell

North Texas running back Jamario Thomas looks down the field for yardage against Akron on Saturday.

The junior’s performance wasn’t enough to carry the Mean Green to a win over Akron, but it did give UNT hope that its top offensive threat could be rounding into shape just in time for the beginning of Sun Belt Conference play and a game at home against Middle Tennessee next week.

“Jamario was one of the people we had who came out focused,” UNT head coach Darrell Dickey said. “He got knocked around early and got stuffed a bunch, but he didn’t panic and kept plugging away. He has been frustrated. He was finally able to find some creases and score. It’s an encouraging sign.”

Thomas broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run in the second half, had a long run of 25 yards and finished with an average of 6.7 yards a carry.

That was the type of performance Thomas produced on a regular basis as a freshman before he injured his hamstring late in the year. Thomas never really recovered last season, didn’t play in the last three games of the year and finished with just 361 yards.

UNT came into the season needing Thomas to regain his form after the graduation of Patrick Cobbs, the Mean Green’s career rushing leader who is now with the Miami Dolphins.

Thomas struggled early in the season to reach the level he played at in the past and entered the game with 161 yards. He nearly doubled that total on one night against Akron, which limited Penn State and North Carolina State to less than 100 yards rushing earlier this season.

“I had a good week of practice and carried it over to the game,” Thomas said. “I am starting to see more holes. … I feel good. It’s something I can build on.”

While Akron controlled the game, it was impressed with UNT’s former national rushing champion.

“We watched film from last season and this season and knew he was a top-notch running back in his conference and the nation,” Akron defensive back Reggie Corner said. “We knew he was going to be a handful.”

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