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OldTimer · October 10, 2007

UNT FOOTBALL NOTES

Freshman QB Vizza will continue as starter

By TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON -- North Texas coach Todd Dodge said Tuesday he wants no more "revolving door" situations at quarterback after Saturday's sudden switch at Louisiana-Lafayette.

True freshman Giovanni Vizza made his first career start, throwing for 383 yards and three touchdowns in UNT's 38-29 loss, and will start the rest of the season, Dodge said.

On Tuesday of last week, Dodge reaffirmed that junior Daniel Meager was "our starting quarterback" after the Mean Green's 0-4 start. Vizza, then the backup, had played in blowout defeats at Oklahoma and Arkansas and would see more time.

Asked this week to clarify what, if any, change led to the ULL game, Dodge said it wasn't about a particular few days or practices.

"[Last Tuesday] we were in the process of evaluating the situation," Dodge said. "It wasn't a two-day window that we just decided. It's over four or five weeks. Daniel earned the starting job through spring ball and two-a-days."

Dodge said he and quarterbacks coach Todd Ford decided on the change based on Vizza's previous playing time, his progression in workouts and "what Giovanni brings to the table over the long haul."

"As of last Tuesday," Dodge said, "[Meager] was our starting quarterback."

No boomers

Given optimal wind and field conditions, Dodge said he won't endorse a field-goal attempt from farther than 42 yards.

Consider that the lower-end risk Dodge accepts on fourth down, as currently dictated by true freshman Thomas Moreland's range. On Saturday, Louisiana-Lafayette's grass field degraded quickly after a rainstorm.

UNT didn't try a 49-yard field goal late in the third quarter, instead throwing on fourth-and-4. That play gained 2 yards.

Given UNT's spread offense, the higher-percentage option likely was to go on fourth down, but UNT needed points.

On an earlier drive, UNT went on fourth-and-18 rather than try a 52-yard field goal -- a stretch at best. The drive ended on a dropped pass.

Noticeable effect

The NCAA's new kickoff line has helped result in no touchbacks on UNT's 23 kicks. Punter Truman Spencer took over kickoff duties this season for the first time after kicker Steven Woodward left the team.

"It's Spencer's first year to kick off, and he was pressed into that duty," Dodge said. "He'll improve on that. With his strong leg, if he can get some [touchbacks], it would help out with our coverage unit."

Briefly

The fate of backup linebacker Tobe Nwigwe might be determined by the university if his probation on a 2006 on-campus criminal trespass charge is revoked at a Thursday hearing. In January, Nwigwe was charged with misdemeanor theft while on probation. He's expected in court on the latter charge next month. He remains on the team.

Dodge said true freshman A.J. Penson will see more time at outside linebacker in his transition from a primary special-teams role. UNT has taken redshirts off seven true freshmen.

Louisiana-Monroe at UNT

6 p.m. Saturday

TV: KTXA/Ch. 21

Radio: KWRD/100.7 FM; KNTU/88.1 FM

Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760

tphillips@star-telegram

eulessismore · October 10, 2007

UNT didn't try a 49-yard field goal late in the third quarter, instead throwing on fourth-and-4. That play gained 2 yards.
Given UNT's spread offense, the higher-percentage option likely was to go on fourth down, but UNT needed points.
On an earlier drive, UNT went on fourth-and-18 rather than try a 52-yard field goal -- a stretch at best. The drive ended on a dropped pass.
Noticeable effect
The NCAA's new kickoff line has helped result in no touchbacks on UNT's 23 kicks. Punter Truman Spencer took over kickoff duties this season for the first time after kicker Steven Woodward left the team.
"It's Spencer's first year to kick off, and he was pressed into that duty," Dodge said. "He'll improve on that. With his strong leg, if he can get some [touchbacks], it would help out with our coverage unit."

Again, not to harp on the kicking game, but I hope the 42 yard limit increases, through coaches mentoring the kickers or whatever. After the Cowboys game last Monday night, I was thinking back a few years when Jerry Jones talked about not spending money, draft picks, etc. on kickers...glad he changed his mind.

NT80 · October 10, 2007

Again, not to harp on the kicking game, but I hope the 42 yard limit increases, through coaches mentoring the kickers or whatever. After the Cowboys game last Monday night, I was thinking back a few years when Jerry Jones talked about not spending money, draft picks, etc. on kickers...glad he changed his mind.

Kicking is such a major factor in games, I don't know why coaches don't draft or recruit more for it. As we've seen it can win/lose games as much as other factors.