North Texas Freshman Dbs Shining Now

NT03 · October 25, 2008

By TROY PHILLIPStphillips@star-telegram.com Hill

DENTON — Like financial advisers everywhere telling clients not to panic as investments yo-yo, North Texas has staked itself to uncertainty on the football field.

Chances are, true freshmen Darien Williams and Royce Hill will pay off in the long run. Risks can bring early consequences, and Williams and Hill are two of the biggest gambles a team can take.

That said, the question is valid: What college program in its right mind would start two true freshmen in the secondary at a time when passing is all the game's rage?

At 0-7 and young all over its roster, UNT has decided it can't so narrowly second-guess itself when players like Williams and Hill are ready to start their careers now.

UNT (0-3 Sun Belt Conference) hosts Troy (4-2, 3-0) at 6 tonight for homecoming, looking to add another layer of experience to what little Williams and Hill possess.

Hill, a cornerback, has started every game after junior-college transfer Adryan Adams was injured. Williams, a safety, took over for injured Kartey Agbottah in UNT's second game.

The growing and learning came at a price not only for Williams and Hill, but for UNT's entire defense. In the first half of games, the Mean Green has allowed 33 offensive touchdowns (several passing) in a combined 47 drives by opponents.

On the upside, Williams is UNT's third-leading tackler with 40 stops. He and Hill have a combined four pass breakups and 3 1/2 tackles for loss.

"As games go by, it's starting to come a little easier for me," said Williams, who's developing an aggressive nature in the open field. "Coming into the season, the plan was for neither one of us to start."

Hill has had the challenge — or displeasure — of covering a spate of receivers that doled out rude lessons. Rice's Jarett Dillard, Florida International's T.Y. Hilton and Louisiana-Lafayette's Jason Chery had a combined 382 yards receiving against UNT, though Hill wasn't their only victim.

"We're doing what we feel is best for the program," said UNT safeties coach Chuck Petersen of a young secondary rotation that also includes true freshmen John Shorter and DaWaylon Cook. "When things don't go so well, you hurt a little for them. You realize in a perfect world, they probably shouldn't be out there. It is what it is."

Hill, from Cypress Ridge High School near Houston, figures there's some reason he and Williams are starting despite the secondary's toils.

"We do take a risk by playing two true freshmen," he said. "Opponents see that and want to pick on you. But as long as we're making plays, we'll be on the field. Things happen and you make mistakes. You can coast on it or fix it. Just because we're freshmen doesn't make it acceptable."

Petersen said UNT is banking on them making plays more frequently, even as this season wraps up.

"Royce is very resilient," Petersen said. "You've got to have a short memory at that cornerback position. He's a very mentally tough kid."

Williams, a quarterback his senior year at Vernon, is closing the learning gap at safety in college and needs another off-season in the weight room. Until then, he and Hill will keep trying to douse the fire lit under them.

"If you make mistakes, you get ripped [by the coaches], and that's everybody," Williams said. "You make mistakes here or there, but they stick with you. They don't give up on us. It's that trust factor we're working on. Me and Royce and a lot of other freshmen, we're taking our chewing, learning from our mistakes and getting better."

Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760

Edited October 25, 2008 by NT03

greenminer · October 25, 2008

An assistant spoke?

..about UNT players?!>

I'm. I. I'm verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.

Mean Green 93-98 · October 25, 2008

http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sport...ory/996833.html

You've got to appreciate these kids' attitudes. I just hope the schooling their getting this season makes them more determined in the offseason and going into next season, as opposed to scarring their confidence. We ought to have a great--seriously, great--defensive backfield in a couple of years.

Edited October 25, 2008 by Mean Green 93-98

filmerj · October 25, 2008

An assistant spoke?
..about UNT players?!>
I'm. I. I'm verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.

:blink: Is the ol' ball coach, lossening up his rules, or is he setting them up to take their lickins?

GreenGuam · October 25, 2008

mark my words hill and williams will be top defenders in the years to come they are very competitive and very athletic and i am looking forward to watching them in the up coming season! even though our defense has had its troubles this year having to freshmen in the secondary has been a bright spot because they can only get better and im already liking the play from them so good things are still to come