North Texas (3-3) at Louisiana Tech (2-4)

Harry · October 17, 2013

FACTS & STATS: Site: Joe Aillet Stadium (30,600) -- Ruston, Louisiana. Television: CBSSN. Home Record: UNT 3-0, LA Tech 1-1. Away Record: UNT 0-3, LA Tech 1-2. Neutral Record: UNT 0-0, LA Tech 0-1. Conference Record: UNT 1-1, LA Tech 1-1. Series Record: Louisiana Tech leads, 6-5.

GAME NOTES: Conference USA foes will try to make a leap in the standings on Saturday afternoon, as the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs play host to the North Texas Mean Green at Joe Aillet Stadium.

North Texas has endured an inconsistent start to the season, resulting in a 3-3 overall record and a 1-1 league ledger. The Mean Green have played well on their home field, winning all three of their matchups in Denton, including last week's bout with Middle Tennessee (34-7). The story has been quite different on the road, however, as they have dropped all three contests away from home.

Louisiana Tech has been largely a disappointment this season. Through its first five games, its only win came at home against FCS foe Lamar (27-14). The Bulldogs were able to get their season back on track in their latest game by defeating Texas-El Paso on the road, 38-35, to improve to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in conference.

These newly-minted C-USA rivals have not met since Louisiana Tech beat the Mean Green in 2006, 34-31. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series, 6-5.

The Mean Green have one of C-USA's most efficient offenses, as they rank in the upper-half of the league in both scoring (28.5 ppg) and yardage (402.7 ypg), although they have averaged just 21.0 ppg in their three road games.

Derek Thompson calls the shots under center for North Texas. He has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,459 yards and eight touchdowns, but he has also been mistake-prone with seven interceptions, two of which came in last week's win over Middle Tennessee.

Thompson is fortunate to have a strong duo of wide receivers to throw to, as Darnell Smith (41 receptions, 445 yards, three TDs) and Brelan Chancellor (27 receptions, 397 yards, two TDs) rank fifth and sixth in the conference in receiving yards, respectively.

Brandin Byrd is the most utilized tailback and has 325 yards and three scores on 72 carries. Reggie Pegram (228 yards) has his number called near the goal line and has cashed in with four touchdowns, but he is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.

Most of North Texas's success this season can be attributed to its strong defense, which ranks second in the league and 39th in the nation in allowing just 22.7 ppg. The unit has been opportunistic as well with 17 takeaways.

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FirefightnRick · October 18, 2013

I read a few of the post game right ups for Tech and they have had a couple of heartbreaker losses themselves. They had several chances to beat Tulane like we did. But their loss to Kansas had to be a n ass kicker.

Against Kansas they fumbled on Kansas' 2 yardline with 90 seconds to go in a 10-10 tie and then watched Kansas drive into position to hit a 50 yard field goal as time expired,...

They will be tough, but I see our defense as the key to our success.

Rick