E S P N Breaking Down The Sun Belt

[MeanGreen61]

North Texas Mean Green

Spring answers

1. Welcome back: Gary DeLoach returned to North Texas as defensive coordinator to fix a unit that ranked last nationally in scoring allowed last fall (45.1 ppg). DeLoach's impact began to show this spring as the Mean Green defense made strides, though it was shorthanded up front. The defense scored a touchdown off a forced fumble in the spring game and showed improvement in the back half. DeLoach, who held the same position at North Texas from 2000 to 2002, used a three-man front at times and got good results.

2. Target practice: Coach Todd Dodge wants his young wide receivers to start stepping up. Redshirt freshmen Sam Roberson and Marcus King answered the charge this spring. Roberson and King impressed the coaches early in practice and will provide depth alongside top wideout Casey Fitzgerald this fall. "It's time for the six receivers we recruited in our first class to step up and compete," Dodge told the Denton Record-Chronicle.

3. Need for speed: After ranking 113th nationally in kickoff returns last season, North Texas appeared to find a solution this spring in Jamel Jackson. A transfer from Northwestern State, Jackson showcased his blazing speed in the first spring scrimmage, returning a kickoff for a touchdown. The 5-9, 165-pound Jackson likely will return both kickoffs and punts this fall, and could get a look at wide receiver. "I believe I'll get a real shot," he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I'm getting used to the plays and routes, but I really have a chance."

Fall questions

1. Line limbo: The defensive line remains iffy entering training camp after tackles Isaac Thomas and Jonathan Stewart missed spring ball with injuries. Both are expected back this summer, but the Mean Green must replenish their pass rush after losing standout end Jeremiah Chapman, who led the team in both tackles and sacks last fall.

2. Line limbo, Part II: North Texas has similar concerns on the offensive line despite the return of four starters. Starting center Kelvin Drake and reserve center/guard Chad Rose both missed spring ball following surgeries, and tackle Matt Menard also sat out a chunk of practice. Promising reserve Matt Tomlinson underwent shoulder surgery in early April. The Mean Green need more healthy bodies this summer and for junior college transfers Nate Jenkins and Gabe Hollivay to contribute right away.

3. More from Micah: After sharing carries with Jamario Thomas as a true freshman last fall, Micah Mosley steps into a featured role this season. Mosley's ability to handle a greater burden for a team that historically has produced standout running backs will be vital. He averaged 4.9 yards a carry last fall and reached the end zone five times.

SUN BELT TEAM REPORTS

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3397798

[yyz28]

This a good and fair report.

[UNT Mean Green]

Good, realistic assesment of the team. There is a lot of validity in that article.

[hickoryhouse]

I can't believe they didn't predict that we would go 8-4 and win the conference! How dare ESPN.......And we think they don't pay attention to the Sun Belt