Drcplayers,coaches Prepare For Opener..fb But All Sports

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Players, coaches prepare for opener

12:09 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 29, 2007

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

North Texas head coach Todd Dodge could sense a difference in his players on Tuesday morning.

The monotony of two-a-days was gone and replaced by the excitement that goes along with the week before the season opener. UNT will face Oklahoma in the first game of the Dodge era on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Norman.

“There is a definite different feel around our locker room and coaches’ offices than there has been in previous weeks," Dodge said. "You can feel that the opener is here. What players and coaches look forward to is that week of preparation."

UNT opened the week Tuesday with a 6:30 a.m. meeting and practiced later in the afternoon. The Mean Green's players said they could feel the anticipation building in the first practice of the week.

"I am definitely looking forward to it," senior linebacker Brandon Monroe said. "We are all working hard in practice and playing to win."

UNT has opened the season on the road against a Big 12 team in four of the last five seasons. The Sooners beat the Mean Green in its 2003 season opener 37-3.

Peachey still not working out

Dodge said Tuesday that he is still holding out hope that starting right tackle Robert Peachey will be able to play in the Mean Green's season opener at Oklahoma, even though he has missed more than a week of practice with a hamstring injury.

Dodge said Monday that he expected all of his players to return to practice on Tuesday, but Peachey didn't participate.

"We have not ruled him out," Dodge said. "We are still hoping. He is still working hard on it. We are hoping he will be back at practice in the next few days."

Mosley to play right away

Freshman running back Micah Mosley of Nederland appears as if he will receive quite the introduction to the world of college football on Saturday.

UNT will open the season at Oklahoma, one of the storied programs in college football. Mosley is expected to play while serving as the top backup for senior Jamario Thomas.

"The guy who has shown the most during two-a-days is our freshman from Nederland, Micah Mosley," Dodge said. "We looked at him on video, but you don't know until you get them on campus if they are what you saw. I don't know how much, but he will play against Oklahoma."

Oklahoma Memorial an unfamiliar venue for Dodge

Dodge faced Oklahoma as Texas' starting quarterback from 1981-85, but will make his first appearance on the field at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday when UNT takes on the Sooners.

Texas and Oklahoma played in Dallas throughout Dodge's tenure. Dodge spoke at a coaching clinic at Oklahoma two years ago, but never ventured down to the playing field from the press box.

Volleyball

UNT looks to bounce back from tough weekend

UNT is hoping the return of Katy Prokof at the Mean Green Volleyball Classic beginning Friday will help it bounce back from a tough opening weekend of the season.

UNT was swept in three straight matches to open the season without the senior outside hitter.

Prokof missed the opening tournament of the season while recovering from a knee injury. She has led the Mean Green in kills in each of the last two seasons and was an All-Sun Belt Conference selection last year. UNT was also without defensive specialist Katie Ruiz for most of the week.

"It was a tough weekend for us," UNT head coach Cassie Headrick said. "We typically start out slow each season, but we still wanted to go out and play some tough competition early anyway."

UNT might redshirt Robins

Freshman defensive specialist Kelsey Robins might spend the season as a redshirt, Headrick said.

UNT already has one of the top defensive specialists in the Sun Belt Conference in senior Jessica Hulsebosch. Hedrick said she is considering having Robins take a year to adjust to the college game and learn from Hulsebosch before beginning her college career.

Fellow freshman defensive LeAnn Herchman bruised her labrum last weekend, but is expected to be ready to play later this week and will to play this season.

Soccer

Several freshmen will play for UNT

UNT head coach John Hedlund said Tuesday that he expects several of his freshmen recruits and transfers to play major roles this season.

Sophomore defender Jacy Wicker, a transfer from Nebraska, will be one of the Mean Green's starting defenders. Freshman forward Janaye Woods and freshmen midfielders Danielle Herron and Lindsay Lackore are also expected to start.

“It helps to have a class that is ready to play," Hedlund said. "I don't have to spend a lot of time motivating players because if someone doesn't do the job, a freshman or newcomer will take her spot."

Men's basketball

Higgs forced to give up basketball

Former Sanger standout Chris Higgs has been forced to give up basketball because of a degenerative disc injury in his lower back.

Higgs joined UNT as a walk-on and spent two seasons with the team. The guard played eight games in his career, including seven his freshman season when he scored five points.

"I really appreciate all the dedication and time that Chris has put into the program, and we wish him a speedy recovery," UNT head coach Johnny Jones said.

Softball

Hubbard completes coaching staff

UNT head coach T.J. Hubbard announced Tuesday that he has hired Jenn Cody as an assistant coach, a move that completes the Mean Green's staff.

Cody spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach at Minnesota. She will work with the Mean Green's pitchers and help with recruiting.

Cody was a standout pitcher and solid all-around player for Florida State from 1998-2001, when she compiled a 74-39 record.

"Jenn brings an intensity and competitive fire to our team," Hubbard said in a prepared statement. "She has a very competitive background as a player and a coach. With her coaching experience at Minnesota and her playing experience in the ACC, Jenn knows what is necessary to complete and win at this level."

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