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N T Daily - Football Prepares For Home Opener

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MeanGreen61

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Football prepares for home opener

Dodge ready to test offense on conference foes

Richard White

Issue date: 9/21/07

After enduring two losses on the road followed by a bye week, the Todd Dodge football era will make its first impression in Denton with the Mean Green home opener against Florida Atlantic University at 6 p.m., Saturday at Fouts Field.

"Everyone is jazzed up," said senior linebacker Maurice Holman. "With the last two weeks we got that sour taste in our mouths and somebody's got to pay for it, so why not at home?"

NT is 55-19-2 all-time in home openers and 41-12-2 in home openers at Fouts Field. This game will carry more weight than the previous two since it ushers in conference play.

NT (0-2) is 4-2 in conference openers, but is 0-3 versus FAU (2-1). However, FAU has hardly dominated NT. The Owls won 17-16 in 2006, 26-23 in 2005 and 20-13 in 2004.

After a blowout loss to the University of Oklahoma in Norman to start the season, NT lost to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. NT did set several offensive school records against the Mustangs, which Dodge has stressed that his players remember.

"We're just trying to carry over from the SMU game," Dodge said. "Seventy-five to eighty percent of what we did offensively during the SMU game was very good and we're just trying to build on that and limit our unforced errors."

While the passing game has recently soared to new heights never before seen in school history, the running game has yet to make any impact. Dodge, who favors the passing game, said the opponents will dictate how NT's offense produces throughout the season.

"We're an offense that's going to take what they give us," Dodge said. "If we can throw for 601 yards, then I don't know that we need a rushing game. But we're going to have to run the ball better; there is no doubt about that. It's one of those deals where it's all about moving the chains, whether we do it with the run or the pass."

Junior quarterback Daniel Meager and his many receivers might find trouble connecting against FAU's stout defense. The Owls rank second in the conference in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense. NT players said they are trying to improve week to week.

"I'm trying to get better every week," said senior receiver Brandon Jackson who had 133 yards and one touchdown against SMU. "I expect to be better than I was in the SMU game."

Defensively, NT has struggled considerably this season. Whereas FAU excels in defense, NT ranks last in scoring defense and total defense. Improving on its own poor tackling has been a constant fixture for NT lately.

"We did so much tackling in our bye week that we should be tackle pros, a tackling machine," Holman said. "We put in some new stuff this week, so we're going to jump on them early like we did SMU, but hold on."

Another poor defensive showing will cost NT since FAU leads the conference in passing efficiency, led by quarterback Rusty Smith's 783 passing yards and seven touchdowns. By rotating several players into the game, Dodge said he is hoping the defense will finally find its niche this weekend.

"The biggest thing we had to address is our tackling," Dodge said. "We'd like to play 16 or 17 people on the defensive side of the ball every game. I think we're at our best when we do that by keeping fresh legs."

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FireFightnJoey Newbie

FireFightnJoey

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They just need their tackling fuel ... visualize and attack! ... Gaaaaaatorade!Gaaaaatorade!Water SUCKS,it really really sucks!

Coach Dodge : Maurice, can you do that for me every game? Maurice : Coach, not only will I do it for you, I... I... I... yes, yes, I'll do it for you.

FFR : YOU CAN DO IT! CUT HIS F'N HEAD OFF!

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adman Apprentice

adman

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They just need their tackling fuel ... visualize and attack! ... Gaaaaaatorade!Gaaaaatorade!Water SUCKS,it really really sucks!

Coach Dodge : Maurice, can you do that for me every game? Maurice : Coach, not only will I do it for you, I... I... I... yes, yes, I'll do it for you.

FFR : YOU CAN DO IT! CUT HIS F'N HEAD OFF!

Someone fall off a ladder truck? Or just watching a Beavis & Butthead marathon?

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