Drc: Unt's Offense Shines In Spring Game

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Football: UNT's offense shines in spring game

Meager, Fitzgerald have big days

10:59 PM CDT on Sunday, April 22, 2007

By Brett Vito/Staff Writer

Todd Dodge was expected to bring a new high-powered offense from Southlake Carroll when he took over as North Texas head coach in December.

The fireworks finally started on Sunday behind what would have seemed like an unlikely duo just a few months ago.

Junior quarterback Daniel Meager threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns, including two to wide receiver Casey Fitzgerald. The duo helped lead UNT's offense to a 48-29 win over its defense during the Green and White spring game in front of a crowd of 5,194 at Fouts Field.

UNT used a modified scoring system that rewarded its offense for touchdowns, long plays and sustained drives, while the defense scored for turnovers, sacks and forcing three-and-out series.

"Offensively we needed to finish on a good note," Dodge said. "We had a couple of practices where the defense kind of handed it to [the offense]. … The fun thing about us right now is that we are not near as good as we are going to be."

Meager and Fitzgerald played a key role in giving UNT's fans a glimpse of that future after rough times earlier in their careers.

Meager lost the starting job he held as a redshirt freshman last season, gained it back and lost it again, while Fitzgerald was a seldom used walk-on.

Both could be on their way to greater roles after helping the Mean Green break out of an offensive funk in the spring game. UNT's offense failed to reach the end zone in a scrimmage that lasted more than 100 plays on Monday.

UNT has been trying all spring to adapt from an offense that depended on a pounding running game to a spread offense.

The Mean Green looked as comfortable in its new offense as it has all spring, thanks in part to Fitzgerald, who caught four passes for 166 yards. Meager and Fitzgerald connected on touchdown passes that covered 85 and 72 yards.

"We put it all together today," Fitzgerald said. "In our other scrimmages we have had trouble completing series and putting the ball in the end zone. Today we moved the ball and finished them off."

UNT played four quarterbacks, but Meager was the only one of the group to throw a touchdown strike. Nathan Tune, Matt Phillips and Woody Wilson all had opportunities, but none appeared to gain on Meager or stake a claim to the backup job.

Despite another solid afternoon from Meager, Dodge was not ready to name him the starter.

"It's very obvious that Daniel has had the most consistent spring," Dodge said. "The other three had some times when they have really shown, but it will definitely going to go into the fall."

Meager has been battling for the starting job ever since his redshirt freshman year, when he split time with Phillips. Woody Wilson joined the fray after transferring from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College last season, when all three players had a chance to start.

Meager started five straight games late last season before being benched, but was back on top in the spring game when he helped UNT find its rhythm offensively.

"Our offensive line blocked well and that allowed us to sit back and throw the ball deep," Meager said. "Things fell our way today. We just executed. It’s real exciting with how we are doing after 15 practices heading into next season."

Fitzgerald also helped himself in the chase for a role in the Mean Green's receiving corps next season. UNT has six highly regarded receivers coming in who will compete for a spot the Mean Green's top eight that will receive most of the playing time.

"I hope I made an impression," Fitrzgerald said. "I just try to stay positive, compete and contribute to the offense."

Fitzgerald walked on at UNT in the fall of 2004 and has been fighting for playing time and the possibility of earning a scholarship ever since. Dodge said Fitzgerald helped himself with his performance throughout spring workouts and could be put on scholarship.

"What can you say about Casey Fitzgerald, he has been very consistent," Dodge said. "He made plays on Day 1 and plays on Day 15."

The most important of those plays came on Sunday, when Meager and Fitzgerald helped bring the Mean Green's offense to life in front of the largest crowd to watch a UNT spring game in years.

The experience built both players' confidence and convinced them that there could be special times ahead for UNT.

"It's exciting as a football player to know that the fans want to see you play," Meager said. "It makes you want to get up in the morning to lift weights and do all the things that are not fun because you know that come Saturday, there will be people coming to watch."

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"It's exciting as a football player to know that the fans want to see you play," Meager said. "It makes you want to get up in the morning to lift weights and do all the things that are not fun because you know that come Saturday, there will be people coming to watch."

A little fan appreciation.