Drc Nt's Green Ready To Overcome Setback

[OldTimer]

Football: UNT's Green ready to overcome setback

Cornerback fought for role before long pass spoiled night

11:19 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 26, 2007

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

Dominique Green was trying to ice a win for North Texas in the fourth quarter of its game against Florida Atlantic last week.

In hindsight, the junior defensive back wished he had just made the safe play.

Green was locked in man-to-man coverage with FAU wide receiver Cortez Gent with the Mean Green hanging on to a slim lead in the fourth quarter and went for what he hoped would be a game-clinching interception only to see Gent break free on a double-move. Gent hauled in a 74-yard touchdown pass after getting behind Green that helped FAU pull away for a 30-20 win.

For Green it was just the latest blow in what has been a tough start to a season that began to take a turn for the better against FAU. Green didn't play a key role in UNT's first two games of the season before starting against the Owls. He tied for third on the team with six tackles in addition to breaking up a pass.

"I was being aggressive, trying to make a play and end the game," Green said. "When he settled, I went to break on the ball. When I looked up he had taken off again on a stop-and-go. I felt like I let my teammates down. I could have not broken on the ball and tried to make the tackle instead of trying to cut in front of him. That is something I will learn from. It will never happen again."

Green was just happy to get a chance to play after what proved to be a slow start to the season after the Mean Green switched coaches following last season. The former Lawton (Okla.) Eisenhower standout started all but two games of his sophomore season and finished with 33 tackles.

Finding his role with UNT's new staff proved to be tough. UNT added two transfer cornerbacks in the off-season who occupied two of the top four spots on the Mean Green's two-deep depth chart to start the season.

Green wasn't even on the Mean Green's depth chart before he started against FAU.

UNT's staff gave Green his chance after former Ryan standout Justin Willis torched UNT for 353 passing yards and two touchdowns on Sept. 8.

Green said he found out just after the SMU game that he would start against FAU.

He was ready for that opportunity after spending most of the summer working out in Denton.

"I don't know why it took so long," Green said. "Whenever the coaches call on me, that is when I am ready to play. It was really hard to wait. I tried to come to practice every day and stay in it mentally."

Green fit right back in with the Mean Green's defense in its best performance of the season. UNT came into the night allowing an average of 62.0 points and 601 yards a game, totals that both ranked last among Bowl Subdivision teams.

UNT improved on those totals against FAU, allowing 406 yards. The Owls scored just 13 points through the first three quarters before exploding for 17 in the fourth quarter.

The Mean Green's struggles defensively were due largely to a pair of blocked punts that set up short FAU touchdown drives.

"Along with the rest of our defense, Dominique tackled well in space and didn't let an intermediate or short pass turn into something more than it should have been," UNT head coach Todd Dodge said.

Only the long pass down the sideline spoiled Green's night.

The experience is one Green is ready to put behind him in UNT's game against Arkansas. Green is slated to start his second straight game when the Mean Green takes on the Razorbacks.

"I am ready to get back in there and start again," Green said. "I am good now for the rest of the season."

UNT quarterbacks comfortable with rotation

UNT starting quarterback Daniel Meager and backup Giovanni Vizza both said Wednesday they were comfortable with the prospect of splitting time on Saturday when the Mean Green faces Arkansas.

Meager has started all three games this season for the Mean Green (0-3). Vizza played late in UNT's loss to Oklahoma, but has not played since.

Dodge said Tuesday that Meager would start against the Razorbacks, but Vizza would play at some point.

"It doesn't really change anything," Meager said. "Every year I have played here we have rotated quarterbacks."

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

[GreenTiger_OriginalAcct]

I like Green's attitude. Nice to hear that he is ready to go again.

[Buford_Julep]

A very good story.

Vito gives Green a chance to explain himself and follows it up a comment from Dodge. This method is much more fair and informative than just bashing the player.

Mean Green fans are lucky to have Vito covering the team.

[Travis]

Dodge said Tuesday that Meager would start against the Razorbacks, but Vizza would play at some point.

"It doesn't really change anything," Meager said. "Every year I have played here we have rotated quarterbacks."

I would have a problem with this if I was Meager. At the very least, be upset by my inability to secure that spot for a season.