NT website..NTLIU game

OldTimer · October 6, 2006

Courtesy: Rick Yeatts

DENTON (10/6/06) - After collecting only its seventh Sun Belt loss in six seasons, North Texas returns to conference play against Florida International at Fouts Field on Saturday night. The game will be televised on Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast with the radio call on the Mean Green Radio Network. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.

The Mean Green is coming off its worst home conference loss ever after falling to Middle Tennessee 35-0 last week. The Blue Raiders held North Texas to 19:19 of possession time and 40 total plays, both lows in the Darrell Dickey era. For a second straight week, the Mean Green will face a defense that specializes in tackles for loss. The Golden Panthers rank seventh nationally with 8.2 TFL per game, and also lead the Sun Belt in pass efficiency defense and kick returns.

This will only be the second game between the two schools, with North Texas taking the only meeting 13-10 at FIU Stadium on Oct. 15, 2005.

Florida International ranks first in the Sun Belt Conference in kickoff return average (23.4) while North Texas ranks last (15.2). Florida International ranks first in the league in pass efficiency defense, allowing opponents to complete just 53 percent of their passes while North Texas ranks last in pass efficiency. North Texas and Florida International rank seventh and eighth respectively in rushing offense with averages of 83.6 and 81.2 yards per game.

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