Vizza Named Offensive Player Of The Week

[MeanGreen61]

Sun Belt recognizes Vizza.

Offensive Player of the Week

Giovanni Vizza (North Texas, Fr., QB)

Vizza set an NCAA FBS record for touchdown passes by a freshman and tied another record for touchdown passes in a half regardless of classification when he threw for eight touchdowns and 478 yards on 40-of-50 passing in the 74-62 loss to Navy. His eight touchdown passes is the most by any quarterback in the NCAA this season. His eight touchdown passes also set Sun Belt Conference and North Texas records and his 478 yards trails only teammate Daniel Meager in the record book who had 601 yards passing earlier this season. Vizza had seven touchdown tosses in the first half as North Texas jumped out to 35-17 lead midway through the second quarter. Vizza hooked up with seven different receivers, including Casey Fitzgerald 13 times and five touchdowns. He was picked off twice in the game.

[yyz28]

Nice.

Vizza is really turning out here... The offense is really starting to become exciting, and they clearly have a leader.

[FirefightnRick]

Steve Lamb(an OU alumn) was giving our offense major props this morning on WBAP, talked about the outstanding performance and the records and such, and finished with, "Say what you want, but I truly believe Todd Dodge is going to get it turned around up there".

Rick

[UNT Mean Green]

Congrats to Giovanni and the entire offense! Great job by Coach Leftwich getting the lineman prepared and an awesome job of executing and playing extremely hard against the scrappy Navy D-Line and LB's! Receivers did a great job of catching the football and making things happen. Backs did a good job of running the ball and a nice job of pass protection. Total effort by the offense.

Great job Vizza! Set national freshman records and got Offensive Player of the Week!

[Mean Green 93-98]

I am stoked about my first opportunity to see Vizza and this offense in person come Thursday night!

[bigntex]

ESPN gave him some pub last night and Gio was a finalist of 10 for the national player of the week in USA today.

That is good stuff for UNT football.

[UNTLifer]

Mr. Fitzgerald had a heck of a game also with 5 TD receptions.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Mr. Fitzgerald had a heck of a game also with 5 TD receptions.

What is the Touchdown record for WR's here?

[eulessismore]

I am stoked about my first opportunity to see Vizza and this offense in person come Thursday night!

You will not be disappointed to see this young quarterback and offensive unit "in person". The statistics are great, but feeling the excitement they bring to a game just makes you feel that whatever struggles we may go through, the future will make it all worthwhile.

[Mad Hatter]

Now maybe Don Giovanni will get the respect he deserves............

I may ask the Godfather to say a good word for my 9 month old daughter at the next home game. I urge all of you with young children to do the same.

Can we please get the band to learn the Godfather theme song for when The Don comes out onto the field?

[Monkeypox]

Now maybe Don Giovanni will get the respect he deserves............

Hey, I'm a fan of Vizza and think he's doing an excellent job, BUT...

how come nobody mentions the coincidence of our offensive awakening with facing the only other defense in the country close to as bad as ours?

[GreenBat]

I'm thrilled with the potential of Vizza at QB, but he this past game is the first game where his passing touchdowns (8) out-numbered his interceptions (2).

OU-2 ints, 1 passing TD

Ark-1 int

La-La-3 int, 3 passing TD

ULM-1 int, 1 passing TD

Troy-1 int, 1 passing TD

MTSU-4 int, 2 passing TD

He has had 2 rushing TD's. 1 against Ark. and 1 against MTSU.

So he is responsible for 17 TDs and 14 ints. Not exactly tearing it up on TD to Int. ratio. He has 5 starts under his belt and he is still locking onto one receiver. I can tell who the ball is going to from row 19 of section G about 75 percent of the time. I realize he's still a freshman and I'm not calling for his benching. I just wish he'd stop throwing as many picks as TDs.

[Green Buckeye]

Now maybe Don Giovanni will get the respect he deserves............

I may ask the Godfather to say a good word for my 9 month old daughter at the next home game. I urge all of you with young children to do the same.

Can we please get the band to learn the Godfather theme song for when The Don comes out onto the field?

Or how about the "Commandatore" music from Mozart's "Don Giovanni"?

The singer's melody would work great for a quick little song between big plays or something, haha: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3nqiKzB5fs

Edited November 13, 2007 by Green Buckeye

[MeanGreen61]

I'm thrilled with the potential of Vizza at QB, but he this past game is the first game where his passing touchdowns (8) out-numbered his interceptions (2).

OU-2 ints, 1 passing TD

Ark-1 int

La-La-3 int, 3 passing TD

ULM-1 int, 1 passing TD

Troy-1 int, 1 passing TD

MTSU-4 int, 2 passing TD

He has had 2 rushing TD's. 1 against Ark. and 1 against MTSU.

So he is responsible for 17 TDs and 14 ints. Not exactly tearing it up on TD to Int. ratio. He has 5 starts under his belt and he is still locking onto one receiver. I can tell who the ball is going to from row 19 of section G about 75 percent of the time. I realize he's still a freshman and I'm not calling for his benching. I just wish he'd stop throwing as many picks as TDs.

Don't be so picky. For a true freshman he's doing pretty darn good. Plus he brings a lot a excitement and energy to the offense.

[UNTFan23]

Part of Vizza's INTs were from being under heavy pressure since the OLine has had trouble picking up blitzes.

[Dodge2007]

At least five picks were from tipped balls. I see his head on a swivel all the time. He checks off and looks off the safties well. Most of the picks were in 3rd and long, heavy pressure, and were better than punting the ball, imo.

He was in a zone against Navy. Notre Dame athletes and Charlies Weis are wondering how a true freshman dismantled Navy when all they did was throw for 145 yards.

A true freshman throwing for 80% has my attention. Also he had huge throws in 3rd and 4th and long.

Edited November 13, 2007 by Dodge2007

[FirefightnRick]

Part of Vizza's INTs were from being under heavy pressure since the OLine has had trouble picking up blitzes.

Speaking of the O line. Did anyone notice how often Victor Gill was in at TE to help with the blitz packages? Vizza had all damn night to throw.

Thank you coach Blakeney, thank you.

Rick

[UNT Mean Green]

The offense ran 16 plays from the 'Tornado' set with Gill in the game at TE, 2 wides, and Stickler flexed off the line at an H-Back spot. Threw the ball very well from this set. I believe 2 TD's were scored from 'Tornado'.

[UNTflyer]

I'm already weary of the whole FBS and FCS thing.

Division I is a lot easier to say than "Football Bowl Subdivision"