2012 Mean Green Football scouting report

[Harry]

Before the Mean Green plays its first home game against Texas Southern on Saturday, you’ll need to know what to expect and who you’ll see out on the field. The NT Daily Sports staff has compiled a detailed scouting report of the team. Here’s a breakdown of the entire team by position, along with one notable quote from a player who plays that position.

Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Tight End

Redshirt junior quarterback Derek Thompson now has the experience of a full slate of games under his belt heading into this season. Even though the running game carried the brunt of the load last year, Thompson has shown he can limit the turnovers, throwing only six interceptions last year, while still being effective when throwing the ball.

In the game against Louisiana State University, Thompson completed both of his touchdown passes to senior receiver Brelan Chancellor against one of the top defenses in the nation. With that being said, someone other than Chancellor will need to step up for the passing attack to be successful this year.

Redshirt senior wide receiver Christopher Bynes and senior tight end Andrew Power will need to help lighten Chancellor’s load. Chancellor is clearly Thompson’s top target, and defenses will try to focus in and stop Chancellor from touching the ball.

Power had 16 catches last year, but only one went for a touchdown. Even though he’s used for blocking schemes, UNT should take advantage of his 6 feet 5 inches frame in the red zone to help draw defenders away from Chancellor.

They said it: “Marcus Smith at tight end [could be a dark horse this year]. He’s a guy that we can flex out at wide receiver. He’s fast, big, and he’s strong. He can do a lot of really good things for us this year,” Thompson said.

Running Back

The Mean Green football team’s running back slot is a position by committee. Junior Brandin Byrd started as running back against No. 3 LSU and carried the ball 14 times. But redshirt freshman Antoinne Jimmerson and senior Jeremy Brown ran the ball against LSU eight times each.

The trio, who gained 74 combined rushing yards in the first game, collectively has only 113 yards in their careers prior to this season. The running backs still need to get a feeling for carrying the ball in game situations.

Talent level is high at running back, and growth is fostered by a competitive environment to get playing time. The best description for the position is unproven.

The triumvirate faces the pressure of replacing the all-time leading rusher Lance Dunbar. Dunbar had 1,115 rushing yards and an additional 350 receiving yards last season. Byrd, Jimmerson and Brown can’t focus on filling Dunbar’s shoes. They have to find their own pairs.

Involvement in the pass game, blocking and receiving gives the backs an immediate offensive value. If the running backs don’t get involved in the passing game, the offense could stagnate.

Time – and an opponent who isn’t a national championship contender – will reveal North Texas’ run game capabilities.

They said it: “Fans can expect consistency, and we’re trying to keep the tradition going that [Dunbar] left behind,” Brown said. “We’re going to keep running hard. You can never replace [Dunbar.] He meant so much to the program, and all we can do is compete.”

Offensive Line, Defensive Line

Head coach Dan McCarney does not believe in moral victories, but his offensive line may deserve one after the LSU game. The Mean Green line stood though against LSU by allowing no sacks, committing no penalties and not missing assignments.

The starting offensive line for the Mean Green consists of tackles sophomore Antonio Johnson and senior Coleman Feeley. The guards are sophomore Cyril Lemon, sophomore Mason Y’Barbo and the anchor of the line, senior center Aaron Fortenberry. The mix of youth and experience gives the Mean Green the ability to instantly succeed while preparing for the future.

On the defensive line, UNT has to replace Brandon Akpunku.

Junior defensive end Aaron Bellazin has the skills to constantly rush opposing quarterback to force an intentional grounding in the first game against LSU. Bellazin showed explosiveness and has a great nose for the football.

Sophomore Daryl Mason and junior Ryan Boutwell are two highly talented players that are going to need to step up and make plays for this thin defensive line. If both can get healthy at the same time, along with Bellazin and Obi, the UNT defensive line will give other Sun Belt offensive lines fits.

They said it: “Physically we have gotten a lot better, bigger on both sides of the ball, and our communication has improved as we’ve matured together,” Lemon said.