Drc Pre-game Taunting Leads To Post Game Scuffle

[OldTimer]

Football: Pre-game taunting leads to postgame scuffle

12:13 AM CST on Sunday, November 25, 2007

By Jeff Andrews / Staff Writer

Even though North Texas has played them just once in school history, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers may already be one of the Mean Green’s biggest rivals.

After pre-game taunting and excessive celebrations on the Mean Green’s senior day culminated in a scuffle at midfield after the game, the Hilltoppers drew the ire of North Texas players on both sides of the ball.

“What they did at the beginning of the game with all their antics, disrespect and jumping around on our field, it [winning] was bound to happen,” said defensive lineman Montey Stevenson.

But as much as North Texas felt disrespected by Western Kentucky’s behavior, it played a role in the Mean Green escaping with a 27-26 win.

Aside from giving North Texas a little extra motivation, two excessive celebration penalties led to a crucial missed extra point by the Hilltoppers.

In the second quarter, Western Kentucky defensive lineman Terald Clark intercepted Mean Green quarterback Giovanni Vizza at the line of scrimmage and rumbled 44 yards for a touchdown, putting the Hilltoppers up 20-7.

But after the score, a WKU defensive back was flagged after jumping around in the end zone, and then multiple Hilltoppers gathered in a circle and did “the bomb,” where a player pretends to throw a bomb in the air and they all fall down when it “lands.”

“The bomb in the end zone -- major disrespect,” said running back Jamario Thomas. “That made me mad and it takes a lot to make me mad. That really made me mad -- them doing that after one of their touchdowns.”

Western Kentucky was penalized 15 yards on the extra point attempt, which kicker Chris James missed. The Hilltoppers ended up losing by one point.

“There were some things in the pre-game warm up, and things like that motivated our players,” said Mean Green head coach Todd Dodge. “Their touchdown celebration, it was probably a show of disrespect. I don’t think [Western Kentucky head coach] David [Elson] approves of that, but it ended up getting them beat in the end.”

The Hilltoppers got under the Mean Green’s skin before the game even started. Players gathered at the 50-yard line and jumped around with their helmets in the air, talking plenty of trash along the way.

“They were jumping around on our 50 while we were trying to do our pre-game,” Stevenson said. “They had their helmets in the air, spinning towels, jumping around and having a few choice words. It was ridiculous.”

Following the game, Mean Green players rushed the field after an exhilarating victory. Western Kentucky didn’t like it, and a fight took place at midfield for minutes after the game concluded. Both teams surrounded the fight before officials separated the culprits. Most didn’t see what exactly happened or what started the fight.

“I don’t even know what happened,” Thomas said. “I was actually on the bench with the drill team.”

JEFF ANDREWS can be reached at 940-566-6873. His e-mail address is jandrews@dentonrc.com.

[untbowler]

could the fight after the game cause a suspension for any players??

[JayDub]

“I don’t even know what happened,” Thomas said. “I was actually on the bench with the drill team.”

Good place to be.

[DeepGreen]

“I don’t even know what happened,” Thomas said. “I was actually on the bench with the drill team.”

Now this is one smart dude! JaMo, protecting the drill team!

[NTEdgex2]

It looked like mostly jawing and jostling. I didn't see any real fighting, but you know how far away the seats are from the action!

GMG!

[jimbojimjim]

I was pretty sure I saw a helmet fly off and hit a coach or a trainer in the head. Even Rick V was down there in the fray trying to calm things down.

Edited November 25, 2007 by jimbojimjim

[GreenTiger_OriginalAcct]

I was down of the field and I did not see any punching going on, just some jawing and pushing. I did see a WKU helmet get slammed down on the ground by its owner and I helped a trainer pickup a couple of NT ponchos that were dropped. It seemed like it started then stopped two or three times.

[UNTLifer]

“I don’t even know what happened,” Thomas said. “I was actually on the bench with the drill team.”

Now this is one smart dude! JaMo, protecting the drill team!

Now that is leadership that will be missed. You have a choice, sit on the bench with the Dancers or fight with a bunch of hillbillies. Always follow your leader!

[Green92]

One of the UNT players (#19?) nailed someone in the head with a ball. It was towards the end of the whole deal. The coaches ushered him away very quickly. Wouldn't be surprised if there was a suspension for him.

[TheTastyGreek]

I was pretty sure I saw a helmet fly off and hit a coach or a trainer in the head. Even Rick V was down there in the fray trying to calm things down.

Was it Mendoza? Any chance he might have been hit hard enough to take a medical leave of absence?

[SouthBendGreen]

Good place to be.

That line right there is one of the MANY reasons why J-Mo will be my favorite NT players of all-time alongside Mitch Maher!

Edited November 25, 2007 by SouthBendGreen

[Dodge2007]

The taunting before the game was right out of the playbook of Miami and FSU. Text book taunting. I was in the beer tent and when I saw that happen, I thought sh.t was going to happen right then and there.