Fw*tele

[OldTimer]

Posted on Wed, Nov. 14, 2007reprint or license print email Digg it del.icio.us AIM UNT FOOTBALL NOTES

Officials call foul on 'Eagle'

By TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON -- It was nothing on the level of a Mike Leach-like rant, but North Texas coach Todd Dodge again made his feelings known about three calls against his team in Saturday's 74-62 loss to Navy.

Receivers Casey Fitzgerald and Sam Dibrell were both called for excessive celebration personal fouls in the first half, forcing UNT to twice kick off from its own 15.

One of those Navy drives started at the UNT 41 after a 29-yard kickoff return. Navy began the other drive at its 32 after an illegal block on the kickoff. Both drives ended in Navy touchdowns.

Dodge said he can't determine what prompted either flag. Dibrell was flashing the UNT "Eagle" hand sign when he crossed the goal line, and Fitzgerald signed toward a UNT bleacher section.

"I tell our players let's act like we've been there before and act like we're coming back," Dodge said. "They were trying to represent our university [with the hand sign]. They weren't blatantly bringing attention to themselves. There's the Gator thing, the Hook 'em Horns and all kinds of things. That's what our kids were doing."

Dodge said game tape doesn't show either player being overly "demonstrative," though officials might have misconstrued the signals.

"You'd really like for an officiating crew to say, 'We absolutely will not allow anything to go on in the end zone,'" he said.

"There was more celebrating done by Navy players than by North Texas players."

Dodge didn't question the legitimacy of a holding call in UNT end zone that gave Navy a late safety, just where and when it was called.

Not good enough

Losing to Navy despite throwing eight touchdown passes continued a trend of UNT seemingly playing well enough to win, but not in enough phases of the game.

UNT lost to SMU despite having a 600-yard passer (Daniel Meager) and 300-yard receiver (Casey Fitzgerald). UNT lost to Florida International despite its only game with a 100-yard rusher (Jamario Thomas) and a season-best margin in first downs (plus-12). In a loss to Troy, UNT forced seven turnovers.

New wrinkle

A tight end set with which UNT has tinkered made more than a token appearance against Navy, with Victor Gill lined up on either side.

Inside receiver Brock Stickler moved to a slot position, with one back and two receivers filling the set. It has run-first intentions unless the defense shows otherwise.

Receiver Casey Fitzgerald caught a 29-yard touchdown pass out of the set.

"We're just looking at how people line up to it," Dodge said. "It's nice to mix in different personnel groups."

Briefly

UNT will send material this week to various All-America voting panels to pitch Casey Fitzgerald, who has 85 catches for 1,126 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Thursday's game at Arkansas State was moved from a Saturday to accommodate deer season for many ASU fans. The game was originally scheduled to be carried by ESPN Regional and aired locally on KTXA/Channel 21, but now will only be carried on ESPN Gameplan on a pay-per-view basis.

UNT at Arkansas State

6 p.m. Thursday, Indian Stadium, Jonesboro, Ark.

Records: UNT 1-8, 1-4 Sun Belt; Arkansas State 4-6, 2-4

Radio: KWRD/100.7 FM, KNTU/88.1 FM

Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760

tphillips@star-telegram.com

[Guest 97and03]

Thursday's game at Arkansas State was moved from a Saturday to accommodate deer season for many ASU fans. The game was originally scheduled to be carried by ESPN Regional and aired locally on KTXA/Channel 21, but now will only be carried on ESPN Gameplan on a pay-per-view basis.

Moved to accomodate deer season???? No f'in way.

I assume that Thursday games were for better TV coverage. And we lose the coverage we were getting? Wow. That is just total bs.

[Censored by Laurie]

I love the occassional addition of a tight end and Papa Todd needn't look any further than Mizzou as a guide.

Hmm...making adjustments mid-season when your original gameplan isn't as successful as you'd like it to be...what a novel idea.

[Guest 97and03]

I love the occassional addition of a tight end and Papa Todd needn't look any further than Mizzou as a guide.

Hmm...making adjustments mid-season when your original gameplan isn't as successful as you'd like it to be...what a novel idea.

Yep, I quoted that in my recent comments on the defense. It shows Dodge can recognize a short-coming and adapt.

[Green Nightmare]

UNT lost to Florida International despite its only game with a 100-yard rusher (Jamario Thomas) and a season-best margin in first downs (plus-12). In a loss to Troy, UNT forced seven turnovers.

Hmm Troy Phillips with the Crystal Ball. I seriously hope we beat FIU

[adman]

Moved to accomodate deer season???? No f'in way.

That's nothing. Their game against So. Miss is being pushed to accomodate sister kissing season.

Hillbillys.

[SilverEagle]

How else are they going to be able to have any meat for their families for the rest of the winter?...

[flyeater]

Casey for all-American...that's cool. He deserves it, 1-8 or not. There must be a 10 or so all-Amer teams out there with three teams each plus hon. mention. I say go for it, UNT. He's got the numbers and skills.