Espn Sunbelt Preview

NT03 · May 12, 2009

espn.com

NT03 · May 12, 2009

North Texas Mean Green2008 overall record: 1-11 2008 conference record: 0-7, 8th

Returning starters:Offense: 8, defense: 9, punter/kicker 1

Top returners: RB Cam Montgomery, LB Tobe Nwigwe, OL Esteban Santiago, DE Eddrick Gilmore

Key losses: QB Giovanni Vizza, WR Casey Fitzgerald, WR Brock Stickler

2008 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Cam Montgomery* (928 yards)

Passing: Giovanni Vizza (2,758 yards)

Receiving: Casey Fitzgerald (1,119 yards)

Tackles: Tobe Nwigwe *(111)

Sacks: Kyle Russo (2.0)

Interceptions: Tobe Nwigwe* (2)

Spring answers

2009 ScheduleSept. 3 at Ball State (Thur.)

Sept. 12 Ohio

Sept. 19 at Alabama

Sept. 26 Middle Tennessee

Oct. 10 at Louisiana-Lafayette

Oct. 17 Florida Atlantic

Oct. 24 at Troy

Oct. 31 Western Kentucky

Nov. 7 Louisiana-Monroe

Nov. 14 at Florida International

Nov. 21 Army

Nov. 28 at Arkansas State

1. Offense continues to roll: Even with the loss of quarterback Giovanni Vizza and top receiver Casey Fitzgerald, the Mean Green offense should still be among the best in the conference. With eight returners, including the team's top running back, Cam Montgomery, putting points on the board shouldn't be a problem.

2. Receivers add depth: Even though Fitzgerald and Brock Stickler are gone, the Mean Green return Sam Dibrell and Alex Lott and have added junior college transfers Jamaal Jackson and Michael Outlaw, who will offer immediate help.

3. Constant Cam: Montgomery had a breakout season last year with 928 yards and led all scorers with nine touchdowns. He'll be quarterback Riley Dodge's safety net in 2009 if he's struggling in the passing game.

Fall questions

1. Dodge on the hot seat: After coming over as a highly touted offensive genius from the high school ranks, North Texas coach Todd Dodge has found offensive success, but he hasn't found many wins. He took on a down program, so he's been granted some leeway, but he has to show some sort of progress this season to keep the North Texas faithful happy.

2. Younger Dodge on the hot seat: Riley Dodge was named the starting quarterback after starter Vizza decided to transfer to Texas A&M. Dodge, the son of the head coach, has been running the offense since its infancy, but looked shaky during some of the scrimmages this spring. He has the weapons to put up great numbers.

3. Where's the defense: The North Texas defense has been holding the Mean Green back for the past two seasons. As good as the Mean Green are on offense, they're equally terrible on defense. The Mean Green ranked last in total defense (482.58 yards per game) and scoring defense (47.58 points per game) and if they don't get some help in that department they'll be in line for another one-win season. UNT does have a good nucleus with linebackers Tobe Nwigwe and Craig Robertson.

Edited May 12, 2009 by NT03

Censored by Laurie · May 12, 2009

I too expect big things from Sam Dibrell this year

oldguystudent · May 12, 2009

They return Sam Dibrell? Huh?

UNTflyer · May 12, 2009

As good as the Mean Green are on offense, they're equally terrible on defense.

HUH??? Sorry, but I wasn't impressed with the offense at all last season.

UNTflyer · May 12, 2009

They return Sam Dibrell? Huh?

Such is the quality of coverage over at ESPN's "Independents and Others" section.

Seriously, how hard is it to have sections for the non-AQ conferences?

NT03 · May 12, 2009

As good as the Mean Green are on offense, they're equally terrible on defense.
HUH??? Sorry, but I wasn't impressed with the offense at all last season.

They put up some nice #'s once the game was out of hand

greenminer · May 12, 2009

Seriously, how hard is it to have sections for the non-AQ conferences?

If I'm one writer assigned coverage of all non-AQs, I'm probably calling up the local beat writer and getting his filler 3 months ahead of time so I can begin "my" writeup.