U N T Short Some Key Parts On First Day

[MeanGreen61]

UNT short some key parts on first day

Wilson among notables not present for opening workout

08:50 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 7, 2007

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

North Texas opened fall practice without several players who are expected to compete for starting jobs or key roles this season, including quarterback Woody Wilson.

Wilson led UNT to a win over SMU last year, but was pulled from the lineup after starting four games.

The senior is expected to compete for the starting quarterback job.

Wilson, defensive back Roy Loren, wide receiver Korey Washington and kicker Steven Woodward all missed practice, but head coach Todd Dodge said each was still on the Mean Green’s 105-man roster.

Each could return to practice in the next few days.

Offensive lineman Nick Foster also missed practice. Dodge said he couldn’t comment on the former Allen standout or his future with the team.

Offensive lineman Ajani Banks was also not at practice and is not on the Mean Green’s preliminary roster.

Banks and Foster were expected to provide depth on an UNT offensive line that will be one of the Mean Green’s key question marks heading into the season.

Mean Green gets off to solid start offensively

All the work UNT put in to adapt to a new offense during spring practice appeared to pay off on the first day of fall workouts, when the Mean Green improved throughout the afternoon.

Junior Daniel Meager entered fall practice atop the quarterback depth chart and split time with redshirt freshman Nathan Tune during several drills.

Dodge was pleased with the way both quarterbacks and his entire offense progressed on the first day of practice.

“The thing that you like to see is that you get better as practice goes along,” Dodge said. “That is what happened today. Our young receivers have to go against some good defensive players. Throwing them into the fire is the best thing for them. I am pleased with the retention we had from spring. The thing you look for is if the first day of fall practice is better than the last day of spring practice. I can say that it was.”

Junior wide receiver Casey Fitzgerald was just one of several receivers who caught a touchdown pass during practice.

“We had a good tempo today,” Fitzgerald said. “Everyone was moving around really well. Considering we have not played 11-on-11 since the end of spring practice, it went pretty well.”

UNT finds rhythm in practice’s new tempo

One of the biggest changes in the Mean Green’s fall workouts from previous seasons is an increased tempo and timed periods.

UNT’s players felt like they adjusted well to the new regiment, once it began in spring practice.

“It’s a whole new tempo,” UNT linebacker Brandon Monroe said. “Everyone is running around. I am really excited about it. We have all been up here working out, waiting to get the pads on and get started.”

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

[untbowler]

ok so is Loren gone or not???

[Green Crazy]

ok so is Loren gone or not???

that's what i want to know.

[Mean Green 93-98]

ok so is Loren gone or not???

I would like to hear what exactly the Star-Telegram reported, because from this it sure does not sound like he's gone--not yet, anyway.

[OldTimer]

I would like to hear what exactly the Star-Telegram reported, because from this it sure does not sound like he's gone--not yet, anyway.

Here is what the *Telegram had this morning. posted earlier this morning.

Josh Alexander (unsuccessful knee rehabitation and Roy Loren undisclosed reasons are no longer on the team. Dodge says he wants to find an undergraduate staff position for Alexander, a graduate of FW Southwest.

[GreenGramma]

The athletic department was notified July 9 that Steven Woodward would be withdrawing from UNT.

Edited August 7, 2007 by GreenGramma

[untbowler]

The athletic department was notified July 9 that Steven Woodward would be withdrawing from UNT.

To bad he would have gotten a ton of playinh time kicking all the PATs that Dodge's offense will be producing.

[greenminer]

The athletic department was notified July 9 that Steven Woodward would be withdrawing from UNT.

Gah!

[CaribbeanGreen]

ouch.

so where does that leave the kicking situation?

[adman]

The athletic department was notified July 9 that Steven Woodward would be withdrawing from UNT.

That's a real kick in the pants.

Good luck Steven.

[Green Crazy]

Thomas Moreland?? He is listed as a preferred walk on from Forney, under our recruiting page, but wasn't there another kicker that was in the mix during the 2007 recruiting campaign?

[Mean Green 93-98]

Here is what the *Telegram had this morning. posted earlier this morning.

Josh Alexander (unsuccessful knee rehabitation and Roy Loren undisclosed reasons are no longer on the team. Dodge says he wants to find an undergraduate staff position for Alexander, a graduate of FW Southwest.

Thanks, OldTimer.