Heart of Dallas Bowl

DESTINATION AT DALLAS Denton Record-Chronicle

December 29, 2013

Seniors Set Tone for Turnaround Season North Texas (8-4) vs. UNLV (7-5); 11 a.m. Wednesday, Cotton Bowl, Dallas TV: ESPNU; Radio: KNTU-FM 88.1, KHYI-FM 95.3, KGAF-AM 1580

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Sunday, December 29, 2013

COVER STORY

Denton Record-Chronicle

North Texas seniors set tone for turnaround

By Brett Vito Staff Writer

North Texas was down to its final dress rehearsal in the days before its season-opener against Idaho in August when Zach Orr stood in front of his teammates and asked the Mean Green’s seniors to rise.

That group had been through so much together — from a winless home season to a coaching change — and was down to its last chance to establish a legacy.

Orr challenged that group that day to capitalize on the opportunity.

“I told the seniors to stand up and look around,” Orr said. “I told them it’s up to us if we want to reach our goals and get to a bowl game.”

UNT’s seniors responded to that challenge and guided the Mean Green to a breakthrough campaign that will conclude on New Year’s Day when they face UNLV in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

The game will mark UNT’s first postseason appearance since 2004, when several of the Mean Green’s seniors were in ninth grade.

There are a host of reasons why UNT broke through this year, from a vastly improved defense to opportunistic special teams to an offense that found its form.

UNT head coach Dan McCarney believes that improvement stemmed from the determination of the Mean Green’s senior class and the leadership they provided their teammates.

The group was always talented. Orr and Brelan Chancellor will long be remembered as two of the most decorated and productive players of the last decade.

That distinction wasn’t enough for Orr, Chancellor and the rest of the seniors. They wanted to be remembered for turning around a program that was one of the country’s worst not too long ago and entered the season riding a streak of eight straight losing seasons.

“I have said since I took over this program that some senior class is going to be remembered for turning this program around on the field, off the field, in the classroom and the community,” UNT head coach Dan McCarney said.

UNT’s seniors can claim that distinction. The Mean Green (8-4) will play in just the eighth bowl in school history this week, a milestone that makes UNT’s first season in Conference USA a resounding success.

“I can’t even put into words what this means for our seniors,” McCarney

NORTH TEXAS SENIORS: A RECORD-SETTING LEGACY North Texas head coach Dan McCarney has told his team ever since he arrived before the 2011 season that one group of seniors would be remembered for helping turn the program around. That group turned out to be the class of 2013. The following is a look at six key members of the group.

Derek Thompson, quarterback Thompson seemed like something of an afterthought when he arrived at North Texas as a lightly recruited prospect. The Glen Rose native exceeded expectations and has started three years for the Mean Green. He will go down as one of the most productive quarterbacks in UNT history and has 40 TD passes.

Brelan Chancellor, wide receiver By the numbers 7,191 — Career passing yards, second in UNT history behind Mitch Maher

Chancellor has excelled in a variety of ways and enters the Heart of Dallas Bowl ranked near the top of several statistical categories in North Texas history, both in career marks and single-season milestones. He has seven 100-yard receiving games in his career and set the school single record of 1,094 kick return yards in 2011.

By the numbers 356 — Career tackles, fifth in UNT history and just nine short of third

Byrd has been a steady contributor who has often been overlooked at North Texas. Byrd finished with 875 yards in 2012 and has put together his finest season as a senior, rushing for 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns. His best game came in UNT’s regularseason finale, when he rushed for 251 yards in a win over Tulsa.

By the numbers 22.5 — Career tackles for loss, tied for seventh in UNT history

McCoy is one of North Texas’ emotional leaders. He arrived at UNT after serving for nearly five years in the U.S. Army. McCoy has done much more than serve as an example for his teammates.

He is also an impact player who ranks ninth in program history with 20.5 tackles for loss.

Zach Orr, linebacker Orr was named a team captain before his sophomore year and has been an anchor for North Texas’ defense ever since. The former DeSoto standout was named second-team All-Sun Belt Conference as a sophomore and junior before earning first-team All-Conference USA honors this season.

By the numbers 5,322 — Career allpurpose yards, 54 short of Lance Dunbar’s mark

Brandin Byrd, running back By the numbers 2,150 — Career rushing yards, eighth in UNT history, 71 short of seventh

See SENIORS on 2U

ON THE COVER

Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton

North Texas seniors (clockwise from top center) Derek Thompson, Zach Orr, Brelan Chancellor and Brandin Byrd are key members of a milestone class that has led the Mean Green to the Heart of Dallas Bowl that will be played on New Year’s Day at the Cotton Bowl.

Aaron Bellazin, defensive end Bellazin was named to the All-Conference USA second team after posting 7.5 sacks, a total that tied him for the league lead through the end of the regular season. His 13.5 career sacks ties him with teammate Brandon McCoy for ninth on North Texas’ career-leaders list.

Brandon McCoy, defensive end By the numbers 13.5 — Career sacks, tied for ninth in UNT history with Aaron Bellazin

Photos by David Minton/Denton Record-Chronicle

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NORTH TEXAS SENIORS: KEY PLAYS OF 2013

Seniors said. “When the torch was passed to them last year, they put their foot in the ground and said, ‘Let’s be different.’ They knew they had one last shot.�

North Texas linebacker Zach Orr challenged the rest of his senior teammates to come through when the Mean Green needed them most in the 2013 season.

The following are just a few examples of when UNT’s veteran players came through in the clutch.

The long road to bowl UNT’s seniors all traveled a long road to have a chance to play in the postseason. A few endured some of the darkest times in program history.

Quarterback Derek Thompson arrived at UNT in 2009, while Orr and a few other key contributors like running back Brandin Byrd and defensive end Aaron Bellazin joined the team a year later.

UNT finished 2-10 in 2009 and started 1-6 in 2010 before former head coach Todd Dodge, who recruited nearly all of the Mean Green’s seniors, was fired.

Interim head coach and current offensive coordinator Mike Canales led UNT to a 2-3 finish in 2010, but the Mean Green still went winless at home. “That was hard because in high school, we only lost five games,� said Chancellor, who played for a loaded Copperas Cove program. “To lose every game at home and only win a few on the road, I never got used to it.�

Marcus Trice joined Chancellor and the rest of UNT’s senior class after transferring in from Oklahoma and has always admired the way team’s veterans stuck with it during the down times. “To be a part of this turnaround with these seniors is great,� Trice said. “Some of these guys were part of some of the worst seasons in North Texas history. They never quit.

They never backed down or gave up. They kept working. I respect those guys.�

UNT’s seniors always believed they had the talent to become the class that turned UNT’s fortunes and have quietly established individual legacies.

Orr was named a team captain as a sophomore, has been a starter ever since and earned all-conference honors in each season since. Thompson is in his third year as a starter and ranks second in school history with 7,191 passing yards.

Chancellor has 5,322 all-purpose yards in his career and needs just 54 more to surpass Lance Dunbar and become UNT’s all-time leader. Byrd ranks eighth in UNT history with 2,150 yards rushing.

Those accomplishments

Game 3: North Texas 34, Ball State 27

Game 7: North Texas 28, La. Tech 13

Game 9: North Texas 28, Rice 16

Situation — Third-and-3 for North Texas from the Ball State 26-yard line with the score tied 27-27 in the fourth quarter.

Play — UNT quarterback Derek Thompson, above, runs the ball through the middle of the Cardinals’ defense for the goahead touchdown and the Mean Green’s defense holds Ball State on its last two drives.

Impact — UNT goes on to win, improving to 2-0 at Apogee Stadium and 2-1 on the season. The win couldn’t have come at a better time for the Mean Green, which lost the week before at Ohio and had a game at national power Georgia looming the next week.

Situation — Second-and-8 for North Texas from the Mean Green 39-yard line with Louisiana Tech leading 10-0 in the second quarter.

Play — Brelan Chancellor, above, works his way behind the Tech secondary and hauls in a 61-yard touchdown pass from Derek Thompson, who lofts a perfect strike. Chancellor races to the end zone and UNT rallies for the win.

Impact — UNT finally breaks through to string together consecutive wins for the first time since 2004 after beating Middle Tennessee at home the previous week. The streak turns into a five-game run that lands UNT in a bowl.

Situation — First-and-10 for Rice from the North Texas 24yard line with UNT leading 28-16 in the fourth quarter.

Play — Rice quarterback Taylor McHargue pulls the ball down and breaks free, sprinting through UNT’s defense before safety Marcus Trice, above, cuts him down at the 1-yard line. UNT goes on to stop the Owls on eight consecutive plays during a goalline stand that will long be remembered in program history.

Impact — UNT’s win over Rice makes the Mean Green bowleligible for the first time since 2004 at 6-3. The momentum UNT gained from the win helped carry the Mean Green to two more wins and an 8-4 regular-season finish.

Photos by David Minton/Denton Record-Chronicle always felt somewhat hollow for the players because they never resulted in team success.

Twice early in his career, Chancellor set UNT records for kickoff return yardage in a season. The records are a point of pride, but he couldn’t help but smile while thinking back on the staggering number of opportunities he had in 2011.

Chancellor posted 1,094 kick return yards that year when he had 50 shots at it.

Not every weekend was a letdown early in the careers of UNT’s seniors. They won a few games here and there, but never strung anything together.

The Mean Green beat Florida Atlantic in its Sun Belt Conference opener in 2010, but lost its next three games. A win over Indiana in 2011 was a

milestone for UNT, but was followed by a loss to Tulsa and a 57 finish The Mean Green beat Louisiana-Lafayette on national television last season to get to 3-4, but dropped four of its last five games and missed bowl eligibility.

The team’s seniors were determined to not let another opportunity — their last opportunity — slip away this year. “The leadership of this senior class has been really special,� McCarney said. “When the players and the seniors really take over the leadership of your team, then you know that you have a chance to really succeed. We have that right now.�

Leading the way Heading into the season, UNT’s seniors knew they needed to do more than just put up

the great individual numbers many of them have compiled throughout their careers. They also needed to set the tone – for themselves and for their younger teammates. “Coaches can only lead so much,� McCarney said. “When coaches have to lead all the time that means you have issues on your football team.

When your players and especially your seniors take over the leadership, then you know you have a chance to really succeed.�

Several of UNT’s younger players said the message Orr sent resonated. “The seniors did a great job,� sophomore cornerback Kenny Buyers said. “Trice and Orr have been great leaders. The rest of the team has taken on their mindset.�

UNT came into the year having not strung together consec-

Congratulations To the University of North Texas Mean Green on Your Season and the Heart of Dallas Bowl!

UNT continued to roll from there, winning two of its last three games and capped its regular season by knocking off Tulsa, a team the Mean Green hadn’t beaten since 1969.

McCarney and his players attribute reaching those milestones largely to a group of seniors who led the way, including Orr, who set the tone for the season back in August. “It means a lot to me,� Orr said having one more game to play with his fellow seniors. “We have been through a lot. It was nice to see all of us stick it out. No one left or transferred.

We made a commitment to this university. We are the senior class that turned this program around. I will never forget these 22 guys.�

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870 and bvito@dentonrc.com.

THE LEGEND

CONTINUES at UNT & PETERBILT!

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STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION

utive wins since 2004 and was sitting at 2-3 after Cairo Santos kicked a game-winning field goal on the game’s final play to give Tulane a 24-21 win.

McCarney said he could sense an ever deepening determination with his team following that loss.

That drive showed when UNT ripped off a five-game winning streak while playing some of the best football in years.

UNT rolled past Middle Tennessee, 34-7, and then put together one of its best showings offensively in years in a 5514 win over Southern Miss.

The highlight of the run came on Halloween night when UNT beat Rice 28-16, thanks largely to an eight-play goal-line stand. UNT drew a fourth-down holding call in the end zone that extended the series.

Visit www.peterbiltlegend.com

WHILE-U-WAIT Alvin Whaley

813 S. Locust at Eagle John Whaley Denton, Texas 382-2116

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UNT STATISTICS TEAM STATISTICS UNT Opp. 378 217 31.5 18.1 258 212 113 78 129 112 16 22 2,208 1,501 2,433 1,792 225 291 504 399 4.4 3.8 184.0 125.1 28 10 2,731 2,770 240-372-14 245-414-17 7.3 6.7 11.4 11.3 227.6 230.8 14 13 4,939 4,271 876 813 5.6 5.3 411.6 355.9 33-814 37-775 30-441 19-128 17-255 14-178 24.7 20.9 14.7 6.7 15.0 12.7 16-8 23-15 76-627 59-522 52.2 43.5 63-2508 75-2993 39.8 39.9 35.9 33.5 73-4586 45-2748 62.8 61.1 39.9 37.4 31:58 28:02 85/185 64/178 46% 36% 8/15 3/11 53% 27% 34-210 10-44 63 79 50 28 10-16 7-20 0-0 1-1 (33-39) 85% (20-33) 61% (26-39) 67% (15-33) 45% (46-49) 94% (26-27) 96% 126,182 199,303 6/21,030 6/33,217

Scoring Points per game First downs Rushing Passing Penalty Rushing yardage Yards gained rushing Yards lost rushing Rushing attempts Average per rush Average per game TDs rushing Passing yardage Comp-Att-Int Average per pass Average per catch Average per game TDs passing Total offense Total plays Average per play Average per game Kick returns: No.-yards Punt returns: No.-yards Int. returns: No.-yards Kick return average Punt return average Int. return average Fumbles-lost Penalties-yards Average per game Punts-yards Average Per Punt Net punt average Kickoffs-yards Average per kick Net kick average Time of possession/game 3rd-down conversions 3rd-Down Pct 4th-down Conversions 4th-Down Pct Sacks by-yards Misc yards Touchdowns scored Field goals-attempts On-side kicks Red-zone scores Red-zone touchdowns PAT-attempts Attendance Games/Avg Per Game

ROSTER No. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 20 20 21 21 22 23 24 25 25 25 26 27 29 30 31 31 32 32 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 48 49 50 50 52 53 54 56 57 58 59 62 63 64 65 66 68 69 70 71 72 74 76 77 78 79 80 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 98 99

Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Zed Evans DB 5-11 198 Jr. Turner Smiley WR 6-0 187 Fr. Reggie Pegram RB 5-9 221 Jr. D.Q. Johnson DB 5-11 188 Sr. Brelan Chancellor WR 5-9 186 Sr. Calvin Minor LB 6-3 207 Fr. Darvin Kidsy WR 6-0 174 Fr. David Busby DB 5-11 188 So. Andrew McNulty QB 6-1 210 So. Jordan Gill QB 6-0 184 Rfr. Hilbert Jackson DB 6-1 185 Sr. Derek Akunne LB 6-0 244 Jr. Derek Thompson QB 6-4 218 Sr. Mark Lewis RB 5-10 210 Rfr. Marcus Trice DB 5-8 193 Sr. Carlos Harris WR 5-8 172 So. Derrick Teegarden WR 6-0 204 Jr. Will Wright LB 6-2 221 Sr. Darius Terrell WR 6-3 212 Jr. Dajon Williams QB 6-3 199 Fr. James Jones DB 5-11 173 Jr. Jamal Marshall LB 6-3 210 So. Chris Loving TE 6-4 272 Jr. Mike Marshall DB 6-0 207 Jr. Brock Berglund QB 6-4 213 So. Chad Davis DB 5-10 180 Fr. Lynrick Pleasant WR 6-2 205 Sr. Erick Evans RB 5-9 190 Fr. Marcus Smith TE 6-4 255 So. John Schilleci DB 6-0 193 Fr. Brandon Allen DB 6-0 183 So. Rex Rollins RB 6-1 197 Rfr. Jamaine Wilhite RB 5-8 200 Jr. Freddie Warner DB 5-10 189 Jr. Antoinne Jimmerson RB 5-9 222 So. Zac Whitfield DB 5-9 190 So. Brandin Byrd RB 5-10 223 Sr. Andrew Tucker DB 6-0 199 Fr. Bryan Monroe RB 5-8 187 Sr. Peter Ashton DB 6-1 206 Jr. Zach Paul PK 5-9 185 So. Lairamie Lee DB 5-10 195 Jr. Brock Squier DB 5-9 195 Rfr. Jarrian Roberts DE 6-2 238 Rfr. Kenny Buyers DB 5-11 177 So. John Chelf WR 5-11 178 Jr. Jamarcus Jarvis DB 5-10 212 Rfr. Fred Scott LB 5-11 235 Fr. Willie Hubbard WR 5-10 168 Jr. Zach Orr LB 6-1 240 Sr. Brandon Davis LB 6-0 215 So. Zach Olen PK 5-10 221 Sr. Brendan Campbell DB 6-2 201 Jr. Sheldon Wade DB 5-11 181 Jr. Blake Macek P 5-9 186 Rfr. Ricky Pratt DB 5-7 170 Jr. Chad Polk DE 6-0 223 So. Aaron Bellazin DE 6-2 265 Sr. Tarik Jefferson LB 6-0 214 Jr. Brandon Johnson WR 6-0 208 Jr. Wylie Reinhardt TE 6-4 275 Fr. Daryl Mason DE 6-3 253 Jr. Kaydon Kirby OL 6-3 313 Rfr. Robert Lewis LB 6-0 220 Jr. Sed Ellis LB 6-3 189 Fr. Shawn McKinney OL 6-4 365 Jr. Blake Dunham DS 6-1 223 Jr. Malik Dilonga DE 6-4 251 Rfr. Mason Y’Barbo OL 6-2 307 Jr. Tony Johnson DS 6-1 217 Rfr. Cody Nelson OL 6-5 277 Fr. Cyril Lemon OL 6-3 304 Jr. Sid Moore DL 6-1 252 Fr. LaChris Anyiam OL 6-4 296 Sr. Micah Thompson OL 6-4 316 So. Michael Banogu OL 6-5 292 So. Eric Keena P 6-2 155 So. Trevor Melugin OL 6-2 299 Fr. Sir Calvin Wallace DT 6-2 293 Rfr. Antonio Johnson OL 6-5 294 Jr. Ryan Rentfro OL 6-4 298 Rfr. Cam Feldt OL 6-5 299 Jr. Harrison Sorge OL 6-5 304 Fr. Travis Ellard OL 6-3 290 So. Connor Trussell OL 6-5 287 Rfr. Dominick Walker OL 6-5 278 Fr. Darnell Smith WR 6-1 203 Sr. Carl Caldwell WR 5-10 176 Sr. Quenton Brown DE 6-4 235 Jr. Roderick Lancaster WR 6-2 205 Rfr. Drew Miller TE 6-1 258 Sr. Cooper Jones TE 6-4 243 So. Tanner Smith TE 6-3 250 Jr. Daniel Prior TE 6-2 246 Sr. Ryan Boutwell DT 6-3 248 Sr. Austin Orr DT 6-4 272 So. LaJaylin Smith LB 6-0 221 So. Brandon McCoy DE 6-2 257 Sr. Mustafa Haboul DT 6-0 253 Rfr. Alexander Lincoln DT 6-2 267 Jr. Cade Carter TE 6-3 230 Jr. Richard Abbe DT 6-4 320 Sr. Dutton Watson DT 6-3 273 Rfr. Jarrod Lynn TE 6-0 233 So. Andy Flusche DE 6-3 230 Fr. Coaches Dan McCarney — Head Coach Mike Canales — Off. Coordinator/Quarterbacks Nick Quartaro — Asst.Head Coach/Tight Ends John Skladany — Defensive Coordinator Scott Conley — Dir. of Operations/Recruiting Cord.

Mike Grant — Wide Receivers Noah Joseph — Safeties Mike Nelson — Defensive Line Tommy Perry — Running Backs/Special Teams Mike Simmonds — Offensive Line Ryan Walters — Cornerbacks Frank Wintrich — Strength Coach Spencer Brown — Graduate Assistant Tristan Burge — Graduate Assistant Chris Clevenger — Graduate Assistant Victor Gill — Graduate Assistant

North Texas Opponents

Score by quarters 72 136 85 85 66 73 49 29

— 378 — 217

Rushing Att. Yards Avg. TDs 182 1,023 5.6 11 100 428 4.3 6 94 338 3.6 6 58 155 2.7 3 18 92 5.1 0 9 76 8.4 0 18 63 3.5 1 2 31 15.5 0 6 16 2.7 0 Passing C-A-I Yards TDs 230-360-13 2,640 14 5-6-1 36 0 5-6-0 55 0

Player Brandin Byrd Antoinne Jimmerson Reggie Pegram Derek Thompson Rex Rollins Brelan Chancellor Mark Lewis, Mark Carlos Harris Daniel Prior

Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton

North Texas defensive tackle Alexander Lincoln sacks Rice quarterback Taylor McHargue in the fourth quarter of the Mean Green’s 28-16 win on Oct. 31 at Apogee Stadium. UNT’s defense guided the Mean Green to the Heart of Dallas Bowl with a breakout performance. The Mean Green allowed just 18.1 points a game through the regular season.

Defense guides UNT to bowl Mean Green ranks among nation’s best

By Brett Vito

A BREAKOUT YEAR The following is a look at where North Texas’ defense ranks nationally:

1st

Staff Writer

The enduring image of North Texas’ turnaround season was etched into the collective memories of the Mean Green’s players, coaches and fans on a play that unfolded just outside the end zone at Apogee Stadium.

Rice quarterback Taylor McHargue was running across the field on Oct. 31, looking for someone, anyone in the Lee end zone on fourth down.

The play was the eighth Rice had run inside of the Mean Green’s 6-yard line in the closing minutes of a tight game. Safety Lariamie Lee ended Skladany that play, leveling McHargue with a vicious hit to help preserve a 28-16 win — UNT’s sixth victory of the season.

The play was just one of several UNT’s standout defense made while setting the tone for the Mean Green during its run to the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

UNT will face UNLV on New Year’s Day at the Cotton Bowl.

The Mean Green allowed more than 16 points in a game just once in its final seven outings of the season, a performance UNT’s coaches and players attribute to a host of factors, including the comfort level they found under defensive coordinator John Skladany and several

Red zone defense: Allowed opponents to score on 60.6 percent (20 of 33) of their trips inside the 20-yard line.

2nd Fourth quarter points allowed: Gave up 29 points on the season.

4th Turnovers forced: 32 total on 17 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries.

4th Fourth-down defense: Allowed opponents to covert 53 percent (8 of 15) of their attempts.

9th Scoring defense: Allowed an average of 18.1 points a game. *Rankings are through the regular season

veteran players who have excelled under his guidance.

“We have a good scheme and our relationship with the coaches has gotten so much better,” cornerback Kenny Buyers said. “They have put us in a good scheme and we are going out there and are executing. It’s so much fun. We hang our hat on playing good defense.”

A case can be made that UNT has been more than just good this season.

The Mean Green ranks among the elite teams in the country when it comes to its statistical standing following the regular season.

UNT leads the nation in red zone defense after allowing opponents to score on just 20 of their 33 trips inside the Mean Green’s 20-yard line, a conversion rate of just 60.6 percent.

UNT also ranks second in fourth quarter points allowed with 29, fourth in turnovers forced (32) and ninth in scoring defense (18.1 points a game).

Quenton Brown played for Skladany at Central Florida before transferring to Eastern Arizona Community College and then UNT. The junior defensive end missed most of the season with a knee injury before returning late in the year and hasn’t been surprised by the Mean Green’s performance.

“Watching coach Skladany and his defense plug holes and play with everyone on the same page is amazing,” Brown said. “Reaching our goal and going to a bowl game is a great feeling.”

Several of UNT’s key defensive players are in the midst of their finest season and will be critical to the Mean Green’s hopes of knocking off UNLV. Linebacker Zach Orr has posted career highs in tackles (114) and tackles for loss (11). Defensive end Aaron Bellazin has 7.5 sacks, exceeding his career total of 6.0 coming into the season, while safety Marcus Trice finished with career highs in tackles (83) and interceptions (five).

Those players helped spark UNT’s late-season surge that led the Mean Green back to a bowl game for the first time in nine years.

Along the way, UNT’s defense garnered the respect of the teams the Mean Green played, not to mention one it has yet to face.

“That is the hardest-playing defense we have seen,” UNLV running back Tim Cornett said. “A team that plays that hard would be a challenge no matter who you are. We feel like we are a similar team.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940566-6870 and via Twitter at @brettvito.

Player Derek Thompson Andrew McNulty Dajon Williams

Receiving Player Rec. Yards Avg. TDs Darnell Smith 65 716 11.0 3 Brelan Chancellor 47 718 15.3 4 Carlos Harris 44 519 11.8 2 Darvin Kidsy 16 151 9.4 0 Drew Miller 15 175 11.7 1 Brandin Byrd 11 46 4.2 1 Antoinne Jimmerson 10 88 8.8 2 Lynrick Pleasant 6 57 9.5 0 Pegram, Reggie 6 56 9.3 0 Marcus Smith 5 68 13.6 0 Darius Terrell 5 59 11.8 1 Carl Caldwell 3 17 5.7 0 Tanner Smith 2 13 6.5 0 Punt returns Player No. Yards Avg TDs Brelan Chancellor 22 370 16.8 1 Carlos Harris 3 -(8) -(2.7) 0 Marcus Trice 2 43 21.5 0 Rex Rollins 2 14 7.0 0 Mike Marshall 1 14 14.0 0 Zac Whitfield 0 0 0.0 1 Jarrian Roberts 0 8 0.0 1 Darvin Kidsy 0 0 0.0 1 Interceptions Player No. Yards Avg. TDs Marcus Trice 5 62 12.4 0 Zac Whitfield 3 98 32.7 1 Lairamie Lee 3 27 9.0 1 Kenny Buyers 2 22 11.0 0 Will Wright 2 0 0.0 0 Sheldon Wade 1 28 28.0 0 James Jones 1 18 18.0 0 Kick returns Player No. Yards Avg TDs Brelan Chancellor 22 619 28.1 1 James Jones 7 126 18.0 0 Drew Miller 1 15 15.0 0 Brandin Byrd 1 21 21.0 0 Carlos Harris, 1 24 24.0 0 Fumble returns Player No. Yards Avg TD Zachary Orr 1 55 55.0 1 Punting Player No. Avg I-20 Blake Macek 60 40.8 24 Scoring Player TDs FG PAT Points Zach Paul 0 10-15 44-45 74 Brandin Byrd 12 0-0 0-0 72 Antoinne Jimmerson 8 0-0 0 48 Reggie Pegram 6 0-0 0 36 Brelan Chancellor 6 0-0 0 36 Derek Thompson 3 0-0 0 18 Darnell Smith 3 0-0 0 18 Carlos Harris 2 0-0 0 12 Zac Whitfield 2 0-0 0 12 Drew Miller 1 0-0 2* 8 Mason Y’arbo 1 0-0 0 6 Mark Lewis 1 0-0 0 6 Darvin Kidsy 1 0-0 0 6 Lairamie Lee 1 0-0 0 6 Darius Terell 1 0-0 0 6 Jarrian Roberts 1 0-0 0 6 Zach Orr 1 0-0 0 6 *2-point conversion Tackles Player Solo Ast. Total Zach Orr 53 61 114 Derek Akunne 42 44 86 Marcus Trice 45 38 83 Kenny Buyers 50 21 71 Will Wright 38 33 71 Lairamie Lee 44 26 70 James Jones 41 18 59 Brandon McCoy 13 18 31 Aaron Bellazin 21 10 31 Zac Whitfield 15 4 19 Chad Polk 9 10 19 Ryan Boutwell 6 13 19 Richard Abbe 14 5 19

Congratulations UNT On Your Selection to the Heart of Dallas Bowl...

Beat UNLV

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Legacy secure, UNT aims for bowl win Mean Green has shot at rare victory

NORTH TEXAS BOWL HISTORY North Texas will play in the eighth bowl game in program history on Wednesday when the Mean Green takes on UNLV in the Heart of Dallas Bowl at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The following is a look at the Mean Green’s bowl history:

1946 Optimist Bowl: UNT 14, Pacific 13

By Brett Vito Staff Writer

There are few clubs as exclusive in the history of North Texas athletics as the list of players who have stepped on the field in a bowl game.

UNT is celebrating its 100th year of football this fall. Out of all those teams that played over all those years, only seven have earned a spot in a bowl game.

The current edition of the Mean Green will become the eighth on Wednesday when UNT faces UNLV in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Some of the greatest players in UNT history played in bowls, including running back Patrick Cobbs and linebacker Cody Spencer. Both shined for UNT during the Mean Green’s run of four straight New Orleans Bowl appearances beginning in 2001 before playing in the NFL. Legendary UNT quarterback, coach and administrator Fred McCain played in the 1946 Optimist Bowl, while UNT Hall of Fame coach Odus Mitchell led the Mean Green to three bowl games. “It’s going to be pretty cool to be among the guys who went to bowl games,� UNT senior wide receiver Brelan Chancellor said. “We are joining guys who were elite players here and left a legacy. To leave our own is a big accomplishment.�

UNT hasn’t played in a bowl game since the 2004 New Orleans Bowl and is breaking one of the nation’s longest bowl droughts. The Mean Green came into the season tied with Tulane for the sixth-longest bowl drought.

UNLV was one of the few teams with a longer dry spell, one that began in 2000 and ranked as the third longest in the country.

UNT’s players and coaches have spoken ever since they found out they were headed to the Heart of Dallas Bowl about how much they cherish the chance. “The older you get, the more you appreciate opportunities like this,� UNT head coach Dan McCarney said. “When you have a chance to match two teams that have been down in UNLV and North Texas that have defied the odds and done so many great things, it makes for a great bowl game.�

It’s a game UNT has been waiting on for nearly a decade.

UNT’s players haven’t been around for all of that time, but McCarney can sense the hunger in them. “There is a major difference between being a bowl participant and a bowl champion,�

McCarney said. “I don’t think they want to be bowl participants. They want to be bowl champions.�

Louis Reinzi caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Billy Dinkle with nine seconds left to tie the game and Dinkle kicked the game-winning extra point to lift UNT to a win over Pacific in the Optimist Bowl in Houston.

The game marked the final appearance in the career of legendary head coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, who was the head coach at Pacific. Odus Mitchell, who went on to win 122 games in 21 seasons at UNT, was in his first season as the school’s head coach.

1948 Salad Bowl: Nevada 13, UNT 6

2002 New Orleans Bowl: UNT 24, Cincinnati 19 Five UNT players intercepted passes and the Mean Green won its first bowl game since 1946, knocking off Cincinnati in the Superdome. Kevin Galbreath rushed for 130 yards and was named the game’s MVP, while quarterback Andrew Smith threw for 126 yards. Jeremy Pearl returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown, while Don McGee, left, Markeith Knowlton, Chris Hurd and Cody Spencer, right, also intercepted passes. Craig Jones, center, also helped UNT hold the Bearcats to seven points in the first half.

Bill Cromer scored to give UNT an early lead before Nevada scored 13 unanswered points to win the Salad Bowl in Phoenix, Ariz., in the program’s first New Year’s Day bowl game. Stan Heath connected with Tommy Kalmanir on a 94-yard touchdown pass that put Nevada up for good. The bowl was the second of three for UNT under legendary head coach Odus Mitchell.

1959 Sun Bowl: New Mexico State 28, UNT 8 Billy Christle returned a punt 51 yards for UNT’s lone touchdown in a loss to New Mexico State at the Sun Bowl in El Paso. UNT lost six fumbles, including four inside the Aggies’ 25-yard line.

2001 New Orleans Bowl: Colorado State 45, UNT 20 UNT fell to Colorado State in its first bowl game in 42 years at the Superdome. Kevin Galbreath rushed for 108 yards and Scott Hall threw two touchdown passes for the Mean Green. Colorado State jumped out to a 17-0 lead before UNT pulled to within 24-14 at halftime. The Rams pulled away in the second half.

2003 New Orleans Bowl: Memphis 27, UNT 17 UNT let an early lead slip away and saw its chance to win a second consecutive New Orleans Bowl escape in a loss to Memphis in the Superdome. Nick Bazaldua hit a 46-yard field goal on the Mean Green’s opening possession, but Memphis scored 17 unanswered points heading into halftime. Patrick Cobbs rushed for 110 yards and scored two second-half touchdowns that pulled UNT to within seven points, but the Mean Green failed to complete the comeback.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870 and via Twitter at @brettvito.

2004 New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss 31, UNT 20 UNT fell to Southern Miss in the last of four consecutive New Orleans Bowl appearances at the Superdome.

Freshman running back Jamario Thomas rushed for 92 yards to cap a career season that saw him run for 1,801 yards and win the national rushing title. The game was the final appearance with the Mean Green for several standout UNT players, including Hall of Fame quarterback Scott Hall, safety Jonas Buckles and defensive end Adrian Awasom. UNT Hall of Fame wide receiver Johnny Quinn, above, also played for the Mean Green.

Denton Record-Chronicle file photos

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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Denton Record-Chronicle

UNLV STATISTICS TEAM STATISTICS UNLV Opp. Scoring 375 378 Points Per Game 31.2 31.5 First downs 288 264 Rushing 126 130 Passing 146 124 Penalty 16 10 Rushing Yardage 2,177 2,661 Yards gained rushing 2,450 2,884 Yards lost rushing 273 223 Rushing attempts 480 513 Average per rush 4.5 5.2 Average per game 181.4 221.8 TDs rushing 25 25 Passing yardage 2,909 2,574 Comp-Att-Int 277-442-9 203-393-11 Average per pass 6.6 6.5 Average per catch 10.5 12.7 Average per game 242.4 214.5 TDs passing 25 19 Total offense 5,086 5,235 Total plays 922 906 Average per play 5.5 5.8 Average per game 423.8 436.2 Kick returns: No.-yards 47-1,070 50-1,101 Punt returns: No.-yards 14-51 21-206 Int. returns: No.-yards 11-87 9-206 Kick return average 22.8 22.0 Punt return average 3.6 9.8 Int. return average 7.9 22.9 Fumbles-lost 7-4 19-8 Penalties-yards 43-386 73-587 Average per game 32.2 48.9 Punts-yards 59-2,483 48-1,925 Average per punt 42.1 40.1 Net punt average 36.2 36.5 Kickoffs-yards 70-4,167 73-4,571 Average per kick 59.5 62.6 Net kick average 38.1 39.7 Time of possession/game 30:15 29:45 3rd-down conversions 71/178 89/191 3rd-down pct 40% 47% 4th-down conversions 11/23 10/28 4th-down pct 48% 36% Sacks by-yards 20-126 21-159 Misc yards 0 80 Touchdowns scored 50 50 Field goals-attempts 10-18 11-16 On-side kicks 0-1 0-0 Red-zone scores (40-52) 77% (32-39) 82% Red-zone touchdowns (34-52) 65% (25-39) 64% PAT-attempts (43-47) 91% (45-47) 96% Attendance 120,486 168,245 Games/Avg Per Game 7/17,212 5/33,649 Score by quarters UNLV 64 132 76 103 — 375 Opponents 86 151 61 80 — 378 Rushing Player Att. Yards Avg. TDs Tim Cornett 252 1,251 5.0 15 Shaquille Murray-Lawrence 47 418 8.9 2 Caleb Herring 112 313 2.8 5 Marcus Sullivan 6 81 13.5 1 Adonis Smith 28 70 2.5 2 Keith Whitely 10 56 5.6 0 Nick Sherry 14 9 0.6 0 Passing Player C-A-I Yards TDs Caleb Herring 234-364-4 2,522 22 Nick Sherry 41-75-5 337 3

ROSTER No. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 36 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 60 61 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 76 77 78 79 80 81 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

Player Adonis Smith Nick Sherry Sidney Hodge Frank Crawford Anthony Williams Marc Philippi Caleb Herring Aaron Criswell Jerry Rice Jr. Troy Hawthorne Eric Tuiloma-Vaa Jared Lebowtiz Jarin Morikawa Taylor Barnhill Kenneth Penny Marcus Sullivan Torry McTyer Matt Viùal Taylor Spencer David Greene Matt Lea Fred Wilson Brandon Baker Damon Collins Nolan Kohorst Keith Whitely Tajh Hasson Jonavaughn Williams Mike Horsey S. Murray-Lawrence Henri Jussila Tim Cornett Alex Klorman Nicolai Bornand Tani Maka Peni Vea Tim Hasson Kenny Keys Logan Yunker Jake Phillips Jacobie Russell Siuea Vaesau Antonio Zepeda Trent Langham Prince Oroke Kyle Anderson Max Ehlert Iggy Porchia Tau Lotulelei Malo Feula Roscoe Kalilikane Brian Roth Eric Noone Chris Lopez J’Ondray Sanders Doug Saeks Patrick Carroll Bryson Mook Brad Overand Tuli Fakauho Brett Boyko Aleks Vekic Tom Clarkson Ron Scoggins Andrew Oberg Alex Novosel Kyle Saxelid Nick Gstrein Cameron Jefferson Robert Waterman Jack Killian Devante Davis Max Johnson Dominic Baldwin Jordan Sparkman Andrew Casey Maika Mataele Andrew Price Tyler Bergsten Parker Holloway Alvin Amilcar Charles Howard Sonny Sanitoa Jeremiah Valoaga David Green Efrem Clark Mark Garrick Asten Koki Tyler Gaston

Pos. RB QB DB DB WR LB QB WR WR DB LB QB QB TE DB WR DB DB WR DB DB DB DB DB K RB DB DB DB RB RB RB DL LB/P LB DB LB DB P/K TE TE DL TE LB LB LB LB LB LB LB LB OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR FB DL DL TE WR TE TE DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

Ht. 5-11 6-5 5-8 6-1 5-11 5-11 6-3 5-10 5-11 6-3 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-4 5-11 5-9 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-1 5-9 6-0 5-9 6-1 6-1 6-0 5-8 5-9 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-0 6-6 6-1 6-7 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-7 6-6 6-7 6-4 6-6 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-6 6-6 6-4 5-11 6-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-3

Wt. 200 235 180 180 190 210 200 175 185 195 215 195 185 240 170 195 175 200 210 200 210 175 175 180 180 185 195 195 180 180 180 210 285 230 250 200 215 185 200 255 235 250 240 210 240 230 220 210 220 235 210 300 300 285 270 300 310 235 280 300 310 310 290 335 280 270 255 290 300 290 195 210 240 230 265 240 180 240 240 240 255 335 260 245 280 275 280 255 295

Yr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Rfr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Rfr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Rfr. So. So. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Rfr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. Sr. So. So. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Rfr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Rfr. Rfr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Rfr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Rfr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Rfr. Rfr. So. So. So. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Rfr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Rfr. So. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. So. Rfr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

Associated Press/David Zalubowski

UNLV running back Tim Cornett breaks free for a long gain during a win over Air Force on Nov. 21 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Cornett is one of several Texas natives who is playing key roles for UNLV this season.

Texas players vital for UNLV Dallas bowl a treat for Lone Star State natives

TEXAS TIES The following is a look at the key Texas players on UNLV’s roster:

By Brett Vito

Tim Cornett, running back

Staff Writer

Kenneth Penny was hundreds of miles from home a few years ago when the former Lancaster defensive back got to know another Texas high school football standout in the same situation.

Tim Cornett, a running back from Galena Park North Shore, was on his official visit to UNLV the same weekend.

Penny “We decided to go to UNLV together,�

Cornett said. “We hoped that we would be able to build the program by working hard and competing. Sooner or later something posiDavis tive would happen.�

That time came this season, when UNLV beat Air Force and San Diego State to close the regular season at 7-5 and earn a bowl berth for the first time since 2000.

The Rebels will face North Texas on Wednesday in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

UNT is also breaking a long bowl drought that stretched back to 2004.

The Rebels have 10 Texas players on their roster, including several who played key roles in leading UNLV back to their home state.

Cornett and Penny, who struck up a friendship on their official visit, top the list.

Cornett has rushed for 1,251 yards and

Coaches Bobby Hauck — Head Coach Tim Hauck — Defensive Coordinator/CBs Timm Rosenbach — Offensive Coordinator/QBs Tim Hundley — Safeties Kraig Paulson — Asst. Head Coach/Linebackers Rob Phenicie — Assoc. H.C. for Academics/TEs Cedric Cormier — Wide Receivers Dominic Daste -— Running Backs Chad Germer — Offensive Line Michael Gray — Defensive Line Mike Gerber -— Strength and Conditioning Jimmy Morimoto — Assistant Recruiting Coordinator Jay Staggs — Graduate Assistant

The former Galena Park North Shore standout has rushed for 1,251 yards and 15 touchdowns and was a secondteam All-Mountain West Conference pick.

Devante Davis, wide receiver UNLV’s other Galena Park North Shore standout has caught 77 passes for 1,194 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Kenneth Penny, cornerback The former Lancaster standout has broken up a team-high 16 passes to go along with 31 tackles.

Taylor Barnhill, tight end The Justin Northwest product has caught 20 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Parker Holloway, def. tackle The Trinity Christian Academy star has 16 tackles and two sacks.

15 touchdowns, while Penny has 31 tackles and 16 pass breakups. Wide receiver Devante Davis, Cornett’s former North Shore teammate, leads UNLV in receptions (77), receiving yards (1,194) and receiving touchdowns (14).

Like most college coaches, UNLV’s Bobby Hauck starts by recruiting the best players he can locally. Texas is among his next stops, one that has proven fruitful.

Davis and Cornett were both named to the All-Mountain West Conference second team this season. “There is a lot of good football played in Texas and a lot of us on the staff have

a history of recruiting Texas and ties to the state,� Hauck said. “We have guys from Texas who have had a huge impact on our team.�

Those players have formed a bond and helped establish a Texas pipeline for UNLV. “Kids like to go where they know people,� Hauck said. “When they know guys on our team it makes it easier to recruit them.�

Penny and Cornett are a perfect example. Penny wasn’t recruited by any of the Texas schools playing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, while Cornett was drawn in by the opportunity to start for UNLV right away. “We talked a lot on our visit,� Cornett said. “We were both quiet and ended up becoming close. We texted back and forth during track season the next spring.�

Davis joined them the next year and has also developed into a key player for UNLV. That trio couldn’t have been happier when they heard they would be coming back to Texas for the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Penny’s mother lives within walking distance of Duncanville High School.

The junior will have several family members and friends at the game. “It’s going to be really special, not only to see my family and friends, but also to play in a big game as well,� Penny said. “I have a lot of friends and family coming.�

And just like the rest of his teammates from Texas, Penny can find a little satisfaction in playing a key role in UNLV’s turnaround season.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940566-6870 and via Twitter at @brettvito.

Receiving Player Rec. Yards Avg. Devante Davis 77 1,194 15.5 Marcus Sullivan 41 469 11.4 Maika Mataele 35 403 11.5 Tim Cornett 28 142 5.1 Taylor Barnhill 20 129 6.4 Anthony Williams 19 178 9.4 Jake Phillips 19 143 7.5 Shaquille Murray-Lawrence 11 66 6.0 Jerry Rice Jr. 10 73 7.3 Adonis Smith 8 52 6.5 Aaron Criswell 5 33 6.6 Andrew Price 3 27 9.0 Punt returns Player No. Yards Avg Keith Whitely 13 42 3.2 Trent Langham 1 4 4.0 Interceptions Player No. Yards Avg. Frank Crawford 4 45 11.2 Peni Vea 2 0 0.0 Torry McTyer 1 15 15.0 Tyler Gaston 1 0 0.0 Tani Maka 1 5 5.0 Tajh Hasson 1 0 0.0 Mike Horsey 1 22 22.0 Kick returns Player No. Yards Avg Keith Whitely 17 386 22.7 Marcus Sullivan 15 432 28.8 Adonis Smith 8 132 16.5 Shaquille Murray-Lawrence 6 117 19.5 Tyler Bergsten 1 3 3.0 Player Frank Crawford Kenneth Penny

Fumble returns No. Yards 1 8 1 22

Avg 8.0 22.0

TDs 14 4 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 TDs 0 0 TDs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TDs 0 0 0 0 0 TD 0 0

Punting No. Avg I-20 59 42.1 16 Scoring Player TDs FG PATPoints Tim Cornett 15 0 0 90 Devante Davis 14 0 2* 86 Nolan Kohorst 0 10-18 43-46 73 Marcus Sullivan 5 0 0 30 Caleb Herring 5 0 0 30 Maika Mataele 3 0 0 18 Shaquille Murray-Lawrence 2 0 0 12 Adonis Smith 2 0 0 12 Taylor Barnhill 2 0 0 12 Anthony Williams 1 0 0 6 Jake Phillips 1 0 0 6 *2-point conversion Tackles Player Solo Ast. Total Peni Vea 64 33 97 Tani Maka 44 43 87 Tim Hasson 48 29 77 Frank Crawford 30 23 53 Tyler Gaston 20 26 46 Tajh Hasson 35 10 45 Mike Horsey 26 11 37 Jordan Sparkman 22 11 33 Mark Garrick 21 10 31 Kenneth Penny 24 7 31 Sonny Sanitoa 14 16 30 Jeremiah Valoaga 13 14 27 Alex Klorman 15 12 27 Max Ehlert 13 12 25 Tau Lotulelei 11 14 25 Matt Vinal 16 9 25 Fred Wilson 15 6 21 Siuea Vaesau 10 6 16 Parker Holloway 13 3 16 Marc Philippi 8 4 12 Efrem Clark 5 5 10 Asten Koki 5 4 9 Brandon Baker 6 3 9 Trent Langham 4 5 9 David Greene 6 2 8 Torry McTyer 3 5 8 Iggy Porchia 1 6 7 Malo Feula 2 4 6 Kenny Keys 3 2 5 Player Logan Yunker

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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Denton Record-Chronicle

Presidents to pass torch at bowl game Smatresk, Rawlins to enjoy odd swap of roles at bowl

By Brett Vito Staff Writer

The news UNLV athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy delivered to Neal Smatresk just a few weeks ago was a bit of a stunner.

Smatresk was on his way out as UNLV’s president after agreeing to take over in the same capacity at North Texas and was down to his last few tasks on the job, including accompanying the Rebels to a bowl game.

The only question was who and where UNLV would play.

While nothing was certain at the time, one potential matchup caught Smatresk by surprise – UNT and UNLV in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. “Tina told me, ‘You know where we might end up?’ Smatresk said. “‘I said, ‘Are you kidding?’ “What are the chances of that? I don’t know if it has ever happened before.�

It’s about to happen now, which puts both Smatresk and current UNT president Lane Rawlins in an unusual position, one that puts both in the spotlight.

For Smatresk, the Heart of Dallas Bowl gives him a chance to say goodbye to UNLV and an opportunity to talk about his view of athletics just before taking over at UNT. For Rawlins, the game represents an opportunity to celebrate what UNT has accomplished in athletics during his tenure that lasted just short of four years. “We’re going to have fun with it,�

Rawlins said.

The two have agreed to a bet. If UNT wins, Smatresk will wear Mean Green apparel to a meal with Rawlins.

If UNLV wins, Rawlins will wear Rebels apparel.

Smatresk will have the tougher situation to deal with at the game considering he will still officially be the president at UNLV. “I thought it through,� Smatresk said. “Lane is the president there and is excited. I am still officially the president at UNLV. We have been through a lot together with [Rebels head coach] Bobby Hauck. I will go to the game and wear red, but in February I will be excited to change my color to green.�

Rawlins knew that would be the case. “He will still be paid by UNLV,�

Rawlins said. “He will wear red, but we have told him we hope he has

Denton Record-Chronicle/Al Key

Incoming North Texas president Neal Smatresk, left, and current president Lane Rawlins will be in an odd situation at the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Wednesday in the Cotton Bowl. Smatresk is currently the president at UNLV, the Mean Green’s opponent in the game. Smatresk is taking over for Rawlins. Smatresk will sit on the UNLV sideline, while Rawlins will stay on the UNT side of the stadium for the game. green underwear on.�

Smatresk anticipates athletics playing a major part in his presidency when he does take over at UNT. He was a key figure in the Mountain West Conference of which UNLV was a member of the NCAA’s Division I board of directors.

Smatresk considers athletics a key part of the college experience and described it as a key part of a school’s ability to connect with its alumni and the community. “Athletics is the front porch,�

Smatresk said. “If they like what they see we can get more people involved.

When your teams do well you see a bump in recruiting for regular stu-

dents. It can be an important driver for growth.�

UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal and head coach Dan McCarney credited Rawlins for playing a role in the growth of the school’s athletic program.

Rawlins helped put together Conference USA during his time as Memphis’ president and has a perspective on college athletics, Villarreal said.

He also played a role in UNT landing McCarney.

Rawlins accompanied Villarreal to Florida to interview McCarney and helped convince him to take over at UNT. McCarney went on to lead UNT to

the Heart of Dallas Bowl, its first postseason appearance since 2004.

The milestone is one McCarney credits in part to Rawlins’ leadership.

One of McCarney’s goals heading into the season was to take Rawlins to a bowl as a sort of going away gift. “He is really special and I have a lot to compare him to, a lot of great presidents, administrators and chancellors,�

McCarney said, “He is a special guy.�

McCarney talked to Smatresk shortly after he was announced as the sole finalist to become UNT’s new president and came away feeling like he will aid the growth of the school’s athletic program in the same way Rawlins did.

McCarney will reward Rawlins for his contributions with a trip to the Heart of Dallas Bowl, a going away present that will also serve as a nice introduction to UNT for Smatresk. “It’s nice to go out a winner,�

Rawlins said. “We’ve turned a corner under coach McCarney.�

That exit will double as a nice introduction for Smatresk, who is in a nolose situation. “I have a feeling one of my teams is going to win,� Smatresk said. “It is a special time for both schools.�

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870 and via Twitter at @brettvito.

Long rehab road ends with well-timed bowl for Brown

By Brett Vito Staff Writer

Watching was the toughest part of what seemed like an impossible situation for Quenton Brown for most of the last year.

The North Texas defensive end tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Brown during the first scrimmage of spring practice on March 30, a setback that left the junior defensive end in a no-win situation.

Brown had already spent a year as a redshirt at Central

Florida before transferring to Eastern Arizona Community College and then UNT. Since he already redshirted once in his career, Brown was in a useit-or-lose-it situation in terms of one of his final two years of eligibility.

He could work his way back and play this season or lose that year of eligibility without playing a down.

The work Brown has put in over the last few months has given him the opportunity to play again and contribute when UNT faces UNLV on Wednesday in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. A few other UNT players also battled back from injuries and could play in

UNT’s first bowl game since 2004, including deep-snapper Blake Dunham and tight end Daniel Prior. “It makes you feel good to see them back,� UNT head coach Dan McCarney said. “Anyone who overcomes injuries — especially serious ones — it’s good to see.�

Brown’s certainly qualifies.

The Georgia native appeared as if he would have a chance to be an impact player right away for UNT before his knee buckled during that first scrimmage of the spring.

Brown found out a short time later that he would have to recover from an ACL tear

quickly if he would have a chance to capitalize on that potential this fall. “People say that ACL surgeries take from eight months to a year,� Brown said. “I didn’t listen to that and looked at people who have broken that barrier in six to seven months like RG III [Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III] and [Minnesota Vikings running back] Adrian Peterson. “They came back and got to play. Maybe they didn’t play their best, but at least they were healthy. That was my mindset, just to hit it hard and see where I end up in the end.�

Brown carefully followed the

advice of UNT’s strength coaches and trainers and got extra work in when he could.

What helped significantly was the way Brown’s teammates kept UNT’s hopes for playing in a bowl game alive.

The Mean Green ripped off five straight wins after a 2-3 start and gave Brown hope that he could play in meaningful games at the end of the season.

He improved on a week-toweek basis and got in for a few plays in the Mean Green’s last two games of the regular season. “Quenton will get a chance to play more,� McCarney said. “He has gotten better. When you miss that much of the season,

you are not going to be in football shape. The knowledge of the game — he’s got that. He has the knowledge of assignments, but you have to get into game shape. He was not in good football shape, but he is playing his way into it. We will definitely use him.�

That is the outcome Brown was hoping for. “It’s great to know that my team had my back when I was down with the injury,� Brown said. “I was able to come back and we reached our goal of playing in a bowl game.�

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870 and via Twitter at @brettvito.

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Denton Record-Chronicle

Sunday, December 29, 2013

9U

Bowl bid puts UNT alone in spotlight

By Brett Vito Staff Writer

Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton

North Texas sophomore running back Antoinne Jimmerson shows off his wings while celebrating with freshman offensive lineman Kaydon Kirby after scoring a touchdown during the Mean Green’s win over UTEP on Nov. 9 at Apogee Stadium. Jimmerson and Kirby are two of the key players UNT has returning next season.

McCarney: UNT program built to last Mean Green’s coach sees similarities between UNT, other programs he built

By Brett Vito

UNT’S BUILDING BLOCKS The following is a look at some of the key players North Texas has scheduled to return in 2014:

Cyril Lemon, offensive lineman Junior guard was a first-team All-Conference USA selection

Staff Writer

Even in the worst of times early in his tenure at North Texas, Dan McCarney was consistent when it came to his approach to reviving the school’s football program.

McCarney said all along that he was going to “build it the right way.�

He wouldn’t take shortcuts, wouldn’t break rules and wouldn’t keep talented players around if they didn’t follow his guidelines.

The process would be a slow and steady one that the former Iowa State head coach believed would put UNT in a position to have a stable program that conMcCarney sistently competes for conference titles and bowl games. “If you build it the right way and have a foundation with everyone understanding what the expectations are, don’t accept losing, do it the right way and make this program and your family proud with the way the players carry themselves, then no matter how many players you lose or see graduate, you will still have a chance to have success,� McCarney said.

McCarney sees the Mean Green’s appearance in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Wednesday as a sign UNT has arrived at that point.

UNT has excelled on the field and in the classroom while improving the program’s reputation across the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond.

All those factors lead the Mean Green to believe its appearance in the Heart of Dallas Bowl isn’t an ending, but rather a beginning of a new golden era in program history.

UNT will break a nine-year bowl drought this

Derek Akunne, linebacker Junior ranks second on team with 86 tackles, honorable mention All-Conference USA selection

Lairamie Lee, safety Junior intercepted three passes and 70 tackles, honorable mention All-Conference USA selection

Kenny Buyers, cornerback Sophomore finished with 71 tackles, two interceptions, honorable mention All-Conference USA selection

Antoinne Jimmerson, running back Sophomore ranked second among UNT players with 428 rushing yards

Reggie Pegram, running back Junior rushed for 338 yards in eight games before suffering season-ending knee injury

week behind a loaded senior class that includes some of the best players to pull on a Mean Green uniform in the last decade.

Wide receiver Brelan Chancellor has 5,322 all-purpose yards and needs just 54 more to become UNT’s career leader, while quarterback Derek Thompson will finish his career ranked second on the Mean Green’s career passing leaders list. Thompson heads into the bowl game with 7,191 yards, trailing only UNT legend Mitch Maher.

Linebacker Zach Orr ranks fifth in school history with 356 tackles and is within striking distance of Brad Kassell, who ranks third with 365 career stops.

Those players helped McCarney rebuild the

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program and break through after eight straight losing seasons. “It seems like it was destined to happen,� Orr said of UNT’s breakout season. “We felt that way coming into the year, that we had a good squad and were going to play in some meaningful games.�

While those players won’t be easy to replace, the respect UNT has garnered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and across the state will help the program bring in a new generation of talented high school players to groom.

Wide receivers Tee Goree and Okeeron Rutherford recently led Carthage to a win over Kilgore in the Class 3A Division I state title game.

McCarney said there is more to building a program than just having talented players, though, and was particularly pleased with the Mean Green’s performance in the classroom this fall.

UNT had 51 players post at least a 3.0 GPA for the first semester of the school year, the highest total since the school began keeping records.

There are not many coaches in college football who know more about what it takes to rebuild a program than McCarney. He’s spent most of his career taking on one project after another.

McCarney rebuilt the program at Iowa as an assistant under former UNT head coach Hayden Fry before completing the same task at Wisconsin under Barry Alvarez.

Iowa State was winless in the season before McCarney took over the Cyclones in his first job as a head coach and he eventually led the program to five bowl games in six seasons. “You pull from all of them and learn from them,� McCarney said of the coaches he worked under while rebuilding programs. “You learn how to start from scratch and build them right.�

North Texas once stood out for all the wrong reasons when it came to college football teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

This time around, being unique among its Metroplex peers is a good thing — a really good thing — for the Mean Green.

UNT is headed to the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Wednesday, snapping a string of eight consecutive seasons without playing in a bowl game.

What makes the situation all the better for UNT is that its breakout year is coming in the same season SMU’s four-year bowl run and TCU’s eightyear run are coming to an end.

Playing in Dallas when it is also the only team in the area to be playing in a bowl only adds to the advantage UNT will have this season. “It could help us raise our profile,� UNT running back Brandin Byrd said. “The Heart of Dallas Bowl is in our backyard and will help us get more respect. TCU already has respect because of what they have been doing in recent years and SMU had their time. This will be a big day for us.�

UNT will play on New Year’s Day, a day that has historically been reserved for the top bowl games in college football. The tradition has changed some over the past few years with some of the tradition-laden bowls moving to later dates along with the national championship game.

Those changes haven’t altered the way UNT feels about playing on the turn of the calendar. “There is something really special about playing on New Year’s Day,� UNT head coach Dan McCarney said.

UNT waited a long time for that opportunity.

The Mean Green’s appearance in the Heart of Dallas Bowl will be its first since the 2004 New Orleans Bowl.

UNT was often overlooked in the years since its last bowl appearance when the program hit rock bottom. The Mean Green went 13-58 from 200510 and quickly dropped off the radar in Texas college football.

UNT has gradually worked its way back since received a huge boost when it received an invitation to join Conference USA. The Mean Green joined a league with three other Texas rivals last summer, which helped raise UNT’s profile substantially.

Now the Mean Green stands alone among its Dallas-Fort Worth peers when it comes to playing in a bowl game. “This will put us on the map and show that we can play,� UNT wide receiver Brelan Chancellor said.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870 and via Twitter at @brettvito.

DALLAS-FORT WORTH TEAMS The following is a look at how all three Dallas-Fort Worth area teams fared this season:

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-5666870 and via Twitter at @brettvito.

North Texas Record: 8-4, 6-2 C-USA 2013 in review: UNT is making its first bowl appearance since 2004 this week.

SMU Record: 5-7, 4-4 AAC 2013 in review: SMU saw its run of four consecutive bowl games end.

TCU Record: 4-8, 2-7 Big 12 2013 in review: TCU’s bowl run ended after eight straight postseason appearances.

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COTTON BOWL HISTORY

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Denton Record-Chronicle

UNT to carve out niche in Cotton Bowl history

Dallas Morning News file photos

The Cotton Bowl has been a site of historic games and events throughout its tenure. Texas and Oklahoma have met at the venue for decades, including this game in 1983.

COTTON BOWL TIMELINE 1921 1934

A wooden stadium seating 15,000 is built in Fair Park

The Dallas Rams of the American Professional Football League face the Memphis Tigers in the first pro game at stadium

1960

By Brett Vito Staff Writer

1956 Elvis Presley performs in front of a crowd of 26,500.

1970 Texas captured the national title with a 21-17 win over Notre Dame. UT QB James Street, above with coach Darrell Royal, directed a late 76-yard drive that Billy Dale capped with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:08 left.

1971 Notre Dame ends Texas’ 30-game winning streak with a 24-11 win.

1971 North Texas falls to BYU in its first game at the Cotton Bowl. UNT has lost all four games, including a 41-13 loss to the Cougars.

1979 Notre Dame comes back from a 34-12 deficit and pulls out a 35-34 win over Houston when legendary quarterback Joe Montana hits Kris Haines for an 8yard touchdown pass and kicker Joe Unis hits the extra point.

1985 Legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson is honored as the winningest in college football history.

2009 2014 North Texas faces UNLV in the Heart of Dallas Bowl

— North Texas senior wide receiver Brelan Chancellor on playing in the Cotton Bowl

UNT coaches, players recall great games at Dallas venue

1936 The stadium that was originally known as Fair Park Stadium is renamed the Cotton Bowl.

The Dallas Texans of the American Football League and the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL begin their seasons at the Cotton Bowl.

COTTON BOWL GREATS

“We have talked about it. It will make us feel different — like we have been a part of history.”

Mississippi beats Texas Tech 47-34 in the final Cotton Bowl at Fair Park.

The Cotton Bowl brings back memories for North Texas wide receiver Brelan Chancellor and head coach Dan McCarney.

For Chancellor, it’s the Texas-Oklahoma games he watched growing up that come to mind. For McCarney, it’s the Cotton Bowl games he flipped to on his family’s black and white television in the 1960s.

Those games, spread across decades, helped form the illustrious history of the venue that makes the Mean Green’s appearance in the Heart of Dallas Bowl against UNLV on New Chancellor Year’s Day all the more special.

UNT’s first bowl game since the 2004 New Orleans Bowl would be notable no matter where it is played. The fact it will be played in the Cotton Bowl, one of the most historic venues in college football, only adds to the experience.

“I have been to some amazing stadiums around the country in my career with the conferences I have coached in and the bowl games,” McCarney said. “When you drive up here, there’s that huge sign that says Cotton Bowl and the picture of the cotton. It’s pretty amazing. I had the hair stand up on the back of my neck, but not just from seeing the stadium because I’ve driven by it before.

I’m bringing a team here.”

Some of the greatest players in football history have played at the Cotton Bowl,

from Doak Walker to Roger Staubach to Troy Aikman.

UNT’s players have a chance to carve out their own place in the history of the venue when the Mean Green takes on the Rebels.

The opportunity is one UNT’s players can’t wait to experience. The Mean Green has played at the Cotton Bowl three times in its history, the last time in 1981, but none of those games have had the significance of the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

The game will be just the eighth postseason bowl appearance for UNT in program history.

“It means a lot to play in Byrd the Cotton Bowl,” UNT running back Brandin Byrd said. “It’s a historic place where some great players have played.”

UNT’s seniors have played in a few notable venues during their careers, including LSU’s Tiger Stadium, Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium and Michie Stadium, Army’s home stadium in West Point, N.Y. Playing at the Cotton Bowl will be right up there in terms of significance for UNT’s players.

“We have talked about it,” wide receiver Brelan Chancellor said. “It will make us feel different — like we have been a part of history.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-5666870 and via Twitter at @brettvito.

Earl Campbell The former Texas standout and 1977 Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 116 yards in a 38-10 loss to Notre Dame in the 1978 Cotton Bowl.

Sammy Baugh Baugh played in the inaugural Cotton Bowl game in 1937, leading TCU to a 16-6 win over Marquette and was a member of the first Pro Football Hall of Fame Class in 1963.

Roger Staubach Staubach threw for 228 yards for Navy in a 28-6 loss to Texas in the 1964 Cotton Bowl before going on to star for the Cowboys.

Doak Walker Troy Aikman Before he became a star with the Cowboys, Aikman led UCLA to a 17-3 win over Arkansas in the 1989 Cotton Bowl, throwing for 172 yards and a touchdown.

SMU moved its home games from Ownby Stadium to the Cotton Bowl due to increased interest after Walker led the Mustangs to the 1947 and 1948 Cotton Bowls.

Congratulations Mean Green Football!

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YEAR IN REVIEW

Denton Record-Chronicle

North Texas (8-4, 6-2 C-USA) UNT 40, Idaho 6

Thompson

Trice

Chancellor

Akunne

Quarterback Derek Thompson got off to a quick start in his third straight season under center, throwing for 349 yards and two touchdowns while completing 23 of his 27 pass attempts. Thompson hit 12 different receivers without throwing an interception.

Pegram

Orr

Bellazin

McCoy

Wright

Byrd

Minnesota 51, UNLV 23 Shaquille Murray-Lawrence broke free for a 64-yard run and finished with 108 rushing yards in a season-opening loss to Minnesota.

The junior running back averages 8.9 yards a carry and is UNLV’s second-leading rusher with 418 yards on the season.

Arizona 58, UNLV 13

Marcus Trice became a standout in UNT’s defense during his senior year partly because of the way he excelled in coming up from his safety spot in run support. Trice finished with a team-high 14 tackles in UNT’s loss to the Bobcats.

Frank Crawford, a senior safety who transferred to UNLV from Ole Miss, posted 10 tackles and recovered a fumble in the Rebels’ loss to Arizona. Crawford leads UNLV with four interceptions, has recovered two fumbles and tallied 53 tackles.

UNT 34, Ball State 27

UNLV 31, Central Michigan 21

Brelan Chancellor led UNT with 1,783 allpurpose yards and had one of his biggest games of the season in a come-from-behind win over Ball State. The senior caught a 25yard touchdown pass, finished with nine receptions and posted 202 total yards.

Junior cornerback Kenneth Penny broke up three passes and posted five tackles in UNLV’s first win of the season. Penny, a former Lancaster standout, has broken up a teamhigh 16 passes and intercepted two. He returned his two interceptions for 22 yards.

Georgia 45, UNT 21

UNLV 38, Western Illinois 7

Derek Akunne posted one of the best games of his season in one of the toughest environments during UNT’s game against the Bulldogs in Athens, Ga. The junior finished with a team-high 12 tackles and forced a fumble in UNT’s loss to Georgia.

Senior wide receiver Maika Mataele caught one pass for 28 yards in UNLV’s win over Western Illinois that evened the Rebels’ record at 2-2. The Oregon State transfer has been a key threat for UNLV, catching 35 passes for 403 yards and three touchdowns.

Darnell Smith led UNT with 65 receptions and posted one of the biggest games of his senior year in a loss to Tulane. Smith finished with eight catches for 130 yards and caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Derek Thompson late in the fourth quarter.

A five-game winning streak North Texas was sitting at 2-3 following a loss to Tulane and needed to turn its season around to qualify for a bowl game. UNT did just that, winning five consecutive games. The Mean Green knocked off Rice to become bowl-eligible with six wins, a milestone wide receiver Darnell Smith, left, and offensive lineman Mason Y’Barbo celebrated at Apogee Stadium.

UNLV held New Mexico to seven secondhalf points and rallied from a 14-point deficit for its third straight win. Senior linebacker Tim Hasson played a key role in the comeback, forcing a fumble and posting five tackles. He ranks third on the team with 77 stops.

UNLV 39, Hawaii 37

Running back Reggie Pegram was a key contributor before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in a win over Southern Miss in the eighth game of the season. The Purdue transfer rushed for 88 yards in a win over Middle Tennessee.

Quarterback Caleb Herring threw for 385 yards and a touchdown and also scored on an 8-yard run in one of UNLV’s top offensive outings of the season. The senior has thrown for 2,522 yards and 22 touchdowns with just four interceptions on the season.

UNT 28, Louisiana Tech 13

Fresno State 38, UNLV 14

Senior linebacker Zach Orr anchored UNT’s defense and led the Mean Green with 114 tackles, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. Orr had one of his best games in a win over Louisiana Tech, posting a gamehigh 17 tackles.

Marcus Sullivan ranks second among UNLV players in catches (41), receiving yards (469) and touchdowns (four). The junior had one of his better performances of the season in a loss to Fresno State, catching eight passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.

UNT 55, Southern Miss 14

UNLV 27, Nevada 22

Senior defensive end Aaron Bellazin leads UNT with 7.5 sacks and is tied for linebacker Zach Orr for the team lead in tackles for loss with 11.0. Bellazin had one of his most productive games against Southern Miss with 2.0 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The emergence of a dominant defense North Texas allowed an average of 18.1 points a game and led Conference USA in scoring defense, a dramatic improvement over the 2012 season, when UNT allowed 27.8 points a game. Several players contributed to the turnaround, including middle linebacker Zach Orr, who finished with 114 tackles and recovered four fumbles, including one he returned for a touchdown in a win over Rice.

Sophomore safety Peni Vea posted 13 tackles to help UNLV end an eight-game losing streak against in-state rival Nevada, which scored just six points in the second half.

UNLV scored twice in the fourth quarter to pull out the win.

Crawford

Penny

Mataele

Hasson

Herring

Sullivan

Vea

San Jose State 34, UNLV 24

UNT’s defense came up with an epic eightplay goal-line stand in its win over Rice. The Owls ran eight plays from inside the Mean Green’s 6-yard line without scoring. Cornerback Kenny Buyers was on the field for that series and finished with 10 tackles on the day.

San Jose State jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead and held off a second-half surge from UNLV. The Rebels gave up 312 rushing yards, despite a productive game from Tani Maka. The senior linebacker finished with 12 tackles to lead UNLV in the loss.

UNT 41, UTEP 7

Utah State 28, UNLV 24

Senior defensive end Brandon McCoy served as one of UNT’s emotional leaders throughout the season. The former member of the U.S. Army and Armed Forces Merit Award winner posted 2.0 sacks in the Mean Green’s win over UTEP.

Senior defensive lineman Tyler Gaston made a series of key plays that helped keep UNLV in its game against Utah State before the Aggies hung on for the win. Gaston posted 1.5 sacks, recovered a fumble and had six tackles.

UTSA 21, UNT 13

UNLV 41, Air Force 21

Senior linebacker Will Wright finished in a tie for fourth among UNT players with 71 tackles and had one of his best games of the season in a loss to UTSA. Wright finished with 10 stops, including one behind the line of scrimmage, and also broke up a pass.

UNLV became bowl-eligible with a win over Air Force behind Tim Cornett. The senior running back rushed for a career-high 220 yards and scored four touchdowns on 36 carries. Cornett has 1,251 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the season.

UNT 42, Tulsa 10

Improvement on special teams

UNLV 45, San Diego State 19

Brandin Byrd came up with the best performance of his career in his final regular season game, rushing for 251 yards and three touchdowns on just 26 carries. The senior broke free for a 91-yard touchdown run to highlight his big day.

North Texas’ special teams developed into a strength under the direction of coordinator Tommy Perry. Brelan Chancellor returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns. The Mean Green also finished the regular season tied for first nationally with Air Force and San Jose State with seven blocked kicks. Rex Rollins blocked a punt that Darvin Kidsy recovered for a touchdown in a win over UTEP.

UNLV capped its breakout season by cruising past San Diego State. Devante Davis sparked a big day offensively for the Rebels by catching eight passes for 171 yards and four touchdowns. Davis has 77 catches for 1,194 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.

UNT!

Lawrence

UNLV 56, New Mexico 42

UNT 34, Middle Tennessee 7

UNT 28, Rice 16

Buyers

Photos by David Minton/Denton Record-Chronicle

UNLV (7-5, 5-3 MWC)

Ohio 27, UNT 21

Tulane 24, UNT 21

Smith

UNT 2013 highlight reel

11U

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Maka

Gaston

Cornett

Davis

Congratulations UNT Mean Green!

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THE YEAR IN PHOTOS

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Denton Record-Chronicle

Destination Dallas: UNT’s path back to a bowl 2013 highlights

Photos by David Minton Denton Record-Chronicle

I A five-game winning streak: UNT’s bowl hopes appeared to be fading after the Mean Green lost 24-21 at Tulane on a lastsecond field goal and dropped to 2-3 on the season. UNT responded by ripping off five straight wins.

I A dominant defense: UNT finished the regular season ranked first nationally in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 60.6 percent of their opportunities. UNT also ranked fourth in turnovers forced with 32 and ninth in scoring defense with an average of 18.1 points allowed a game.

I A record scoring run: The Mean Green opened the season by scoring at least 21 points in 10 straight games for the first time in program history.

I Special teams success: UNT’s special teams blocked seven kicks and wide receiver Brelan Chancellor returned both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns.

North Texas tight end Drew Miller (86) dives past UT-San Antonio cornerback Bennet Okotcha (21) and linebacker Drew Douglas and over the goal line for a touchdown during the Roadrunners’ 21-13 win on Nov. 23 at Apogee Stadium.

North Texas running back Reggie Pegram powers past Middle Tennessee linebacker Roderic Blunt on Oct. 12 at Apogee Stadium.

North Texas head coach Dan McCarney looks on from the sideline during the Mean Green’s win over UTEP on Nov. 2 at Apogee Stadium.

North Texas quarterback Derek Thompson carries the ball into the end zone on a 26-yard touchdown run in a 34-27 win over Ball State on Sept. 14 at Apogee Stadium.

North Texas linebacker Zach Orr blocks a field-goal attempt by Middle Tennessee kicker Cody Clark on Oct. 12 at Apogee Stadium. UNT beat the Blue Raiders 34-7 to start a five-game winning streak that was vital to the Mean Green’s drive to its first bowl game since 2004.

North Texas DT Richard Abbe, left, and DE Brandon McCoy (93) rip the helmet off UTEP quarterback Mack Leftwich during the Mean Green’s 41-7 win Nov. 2 at Apogee Stadium.

North Texas senior linebacker Zach Orr, center, and senior linebacker Will Wright (11) pump each other up after making a stop in a season-opening 40-6 win over Idaho on Aug. 31 at Apogee Stadium.

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