Drc Article Unt Spring Game Notebook

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Football: UNT spring game notebook

UNT's offensive line shaping up

11:02 PM CDT on Sunday, April 22, 2007

By Brett Vito/Staff Writer

North Texas offensive line took on a whole new look Sunday during the annual Green and White spring game at Fouts Field.

And head coach Todd Dodge couldn't have been happier with the results.

UNT's line had struggled through much of spring practice, but seemed to settle in with a new lineup during the offense's 48-29 win.

"I am really happy with their toughness," Dodge said. "[Offensive line coach] Spencer Leftwich has done a tremendous job with them. He's coached them hard, but he hasn't coached the confidence out of them. When you have a bunch of young linemen who are going against guys who are just better than you are when spring ball starts, it's tough. It showed today that they are a lot more experienced than they were at the beginning of spring just 15 practices ago."

The group had a much different look than it did just a few weeks ago.

Sophomore Kelvin Drake started at center, where junior Chad Rose had played in each of the last two seasons. Rose started at guard along with redshirt freshman Esteban Santiago, who was a defensive lineman at the beginning of spring practice. Redshirt freshman Matt Menard and sophomore Robert Peachey started at the tackle spots.

None of the members of the group made a single start last season at the positions they played during the spring game. Rose is the only one who has started a game at all.

The group also faced the challenge of taking on a new role in the Mean Green's spread offense, where pass protection is at a premium.

UNT's line allowed just one sack.

"It's a totally different system," Peachey said. "We started slow, but started to catch on after a while. Esteban is in his first week on the line. It's coming along. We will get even better in two-a-days."

Dodge said he has been impressed with the way Santiago has adapted to returning to the offensive side of the ball. Santiago was an honorable mention all-state offensive lineman at El Paso Coronado, where he also played on the defensive line before signing with UNT.

"Santiago is just competing," Dodge said. "We are just looking for guys who will turn it loose. We think it will be a good tradeoff because we have good depth on defensive line."

Santiago will join what could be a deeper line in the fall when several players who missed spring practice with a variety injuries and issues return, including guards Ajani Banks, Jack Crumes and Josh Alexander.

Alexander and Crumes are recovering from injuries.

"When we get some of guys back, it will look a lot better than it has in the spring," Dodge said.

Defensive line shines

UNT's defensive line wasn't as dominant as it had been throughout spring practice, but still came up with a few big plays in the spring game.

Senior defensive tackle Montey Stevenson finished with two tackles for losses, while junior defensive tackle Isaac Thomas had the Mean Green's only sack of the day.

Sophomore defensive end Eddrick Gilmore continued to make an impression after sitting out last season as a redshirt, knocking down a pair of passes.

Holman, Jones to appear at Rangers game today

UNT senior linebacker Maurice Holman and men's basketball coach Johnny Jones will make an appearance at the Rangers' game against Seattle Mariners today at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Jones will throw out a ceremonial first pitch to Holman during Mean Green Night at The Ballpark. A UNT football player or coach has appeared at the event in each of the past few years.

This time around, both the men's basketball team and football team will be represented.

The UNT men's basketball lost to Memphis in the first round in the NCAA Tournament in March, when the Mean Green made its first appearance in the event since 1988.

Briefly …

Starting safety Aaron Weathers and defensive back Roderick Cotton both missed the spring game because of a scheduling conflict with classes. … Cornerback Latif Nurudeen missed the workout because of an injury. … Junior quarterback Daniel Meager played in a spring game for the first time at UNT. He was injured in each of his previous two years at the school.

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