UNT makes positive strides in football spring game

Harry · April 14, 2013

DENTON Every day of spring practice for North Texas has been a step toward greater continuity in a continually changing program.

Saturday, third-year Mean Green coach Dan McCarney gauged the growth of his program, entering its first season in Conference USA, in the annual spring game at Apogee Stadium.

The Green, the first-string players, took a 33-26 victory over the White, comprising players lower on the depth chart, with the White team handicapped 21 points.

From start to finish, the Mean Green defense, on both teams, stole the show, allowing a field goal apiece for both teams through the first half.

The Green defense then added a score when senior defensive back Hilbert Jackson scooped a fumble and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown.

It was just a matter of time before the defense answered under second-year defensive coordinator John Skladany, who coached under McCarney at Iowa State from 1997-2006.

Its a proven system, and its a proven system with John and I together, and the guys are starting to figure that out, McCarney said.

After a halftime attitude adjustment, UNTs offense found traction, McCarney said. The Green reached the end zone three times and kicked one field goal in the second half, helping to eclipse the 21-point buffer given the White at the beginning of the game.

Both quarterbacks in the running for the starting position, senior two-year starter Derek Thompson and sophomore Andrew McNulty, threw for a touchdown. McNultys was the longest, hitting senior wide receiver Brelan Chancellor with a 38-yard fade on a flag route.

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