FW*Telegram Breaks haven't gone NT's way

OldTimer · October 28, 2006

Breaks have not gone UNT's wayBy TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON - When Texas quarterback Colt McCoy threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in the first half against North Texas to open the season, maybe it was a sign.

It was McCoy's first college game, but against UNT it didn't show. It was also the start of a trend for UNT that can be traced to not only some poor play on defense, but a run of bad luck.

Opposing quarterbacks are feasting on UNT's defense this season, but not with big passing numbers or touchdown totals.

Instead, they make big plays and move the down markers. They rarely get sacked, fumble or throw interceptions. They manage the offense efficiently and avoid mistakes.

You make much of your own luck in football, but UNT's defense can't seem to buy a break or catch a quarterback having a bad night. As far as the luck part, UNT defensive tackle Montey Stevenson doesn't buy it.

"I've never thought anytime you get pressure that it's luck," Stevenson said. "It's all preparation to me. We've looked at all the film since Week 1, and I don't see any of us getting pushed back [off the line]. Strength is not an issue at all."

Stevenson said it's this simple: Teams are as ready to protect their quarterbacks as UNT is ready to get to them.

UNT had 17 sacks last season but only 10 this year with five games remaining. UNT's five interceptions tie for 90th in Division I-A, and the Mean Green is 101st in defending third downs (43 of 97 attempts converted).

UNT has started three quarterbacks this season. Last Saturday, Arkansas State freshman Corey Leonard ran for 77 yards and threw for 187 and a touchdown. He didn't fumble or throw an interception and was sacked only once. ASU was also 11-for-15 on third down.

"He really had a great grasp of what they're doing offensively," UNT coach Darrell Dickey said, likening ASU's offense to the Mean Green's efficient, methodical approach during its run of four league titles. "Yeah, that was [tough] to see a kid that's a freshman play like a seasoned veteran. He made plays, but they didn't make him win the game."

UNT has caught only one struggling quarterback, in a win over SMU. Starter Justin Willis and backup Corey Slater struggled, but Willis was still 15-for-19 passing.

In UNT's other victory, Florida International's Josh Padrick was sacked three times but did not throw an interception. He also drove FIU downfield in the final minute of regulation for a game-tying field goal to force the first of seven overtimes. UNT won 25-22 on a field goal.

Today, UNT (2-5, 1-2 in Sun Belt) faces Troy and quarterback Omar Haugabook, who leads the conference in total offense. Haugabook throws out of the shotgun and can scramble, putting a premium on the quality of UNT's pass coverage.

UNT's switch from a 4-3 to 3-4 defense this season was meant to counter the gamut of offenses, mostly throwing ones, the Mean Green was experiencing. This season, the scheme has halted six opposing drives inside UNT's 12, but it hasn't kept quarterbacks from getting their teams that far.

"It's a learning process," Stevenson said. "A lot of guys have caught on and adjusted to it. It's something I think we're getting better at every week."

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

UNTLifer · October 28, 2006

"He really had a great grasp of what they're doing offensively," UNT coach Darrell Dickey said, likening ASU's offense to the Mean Green's efficient, methodical approach during its run of four league titles. "Yeah, that was [tough] to see a kid that's a freshman play like a seasoned veteran. He made plays, but they didn't make him win the game."

It is amazing what coaching and proper preparation can do.