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I know its not football, but its a big achievement of the sort that deserves more attention: UNT soccer has for the first time gotten ranked nationally in the coaches poll Vito also wrote a piece.

Why hasn't Denton supported UNT? Why did we drop to DII? Why did we fail the AD survey at the end of RV's tenure?

Man, every time I hear this kid speak after a game, I can't help but be impressed by his constant positive energy and leadership. I don't know what else to say about the matter, but felt with the drop in our fan energy over the past couple weeks, he deserves credit for what he's doing.

Why do you want more of the opponent’s fans in the stands?

When his career is over here, we will be talking about Mason Fine here on the board for years to come. And, it's not just his terrific numbers, but what a great leader and fine young man he is.

https://meangreennation.com/2018-north-texas-vs-southern-miss-preview/ USM might be pretty good. NT is better.

DRC: Defensive tackle talked to teammates about returning to form after two lackluster performances https://www.dentonrc.com/sports/notebook-tauaalo-speech-puts-unt-back-on-track/article_ccac55d1-f6ce-5960-9b2a-bf2d9880e0dc.html

Time to turn things around.

https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2018/10/9/17956878/both-always-being-told-theyre-too-short-mason-fine-watched-drew-brees-make-history-north-texas-unt

ok

By the time he is through here there may be a statue next Mean Joe Green of Mason FIne. I wish our off week was this week.

Mason 7925 #2 6011 voted from 11:13 until midnight. See we got in a few more simultaneously.

Added my ~150 tonight...and we've nearly hit 8000!

Smells Like The Fry Street Tavern Men's Bathroom.

Meh, attendance struggles everywhere when it rains. You guys are being overly optimistic about what it's like at the "big programs." I've been to a game in the rain at DKR in Austin against Iowa State with about 20K actual bodies in attendance. I expect attendance at this game to be lower 20's, despite the weather.

UNT just announced the date and time for this year's BASKETBALL MADNESS event at the Super Pit. October 18th at 7:00pm - Admission is Free! Doors open at 6:30pm. 3-Point shooting contest and post-event autograph signing event. Performing will be the UNT Drumline, UNT Cheerleaders, UNT Dancers, Scrappy, DJ Question Mark, the North Texas Emeralds and "dance groups". Giveaways and contests throughout the night. COME ON OUT...should be a fun event and a nice little preview of this year's rendition of the men's and women's squads.

DRC: https://www.dentonrc.com/sports/unt-wide-receiver-rico-bussey-jr-added-to-biletnikoff-award/article_82cab21b-f843-5a5a-b737-eed682eb4d23.html

This has been asked by many thru the years.

DRC: https://www.dentonrc.com/sports/things-unt-fans-should-know-about-southern-miss/article_14fdbaaf-d10d-5492-bfc2-d91fca30cfe4.html

I guess the Touchdown Club of Denton in conjunction with the University of North Texas could create and award this each year.

Everyone thinks the UTEP game was when we were supposed to re-establish ourselves. i think this is the game it actually happens.

Voted. Mason in first at 8124, 53% of total, with a 2105 margin. Best of all, it is Hump Day! Vote! Vote! Vote!

This is the best face both years will defense.

To be honest Rico has been the only one who's played like he deserves it. Lawrence has been pretty inconsistent, and Guyton has dropped 3/4 of everything thrown his way

About 11:30 PM I was talking to FFR as we both continued voting and Rick said "Man O man, North Texas Exes and MG fans are burning the keyboards" voting for Mason Fine (and the Mean Green)! Way to go, fellow alums and MG fans! Damn! I'm proud of us!

Great job, girls! Now don't get cocky.

5’10”

This ranking feels long overdue, no?

38-24 good fellas. some trash points at the end for USM, but I think we re-focus this week

DRC: UNT was ranked No. 25 in the RPI that came out this week and picked up an even bigger honor today by cracking the top 25 poll https://www.dentonrc.com/sports/unt-soccer-team-ranked-for-first-time-ever/article_59353e42-a7fa-5a9f-b080-ba951481d721.html

I love the Eagle's Nest forum!

This more than anything. Its like being in a Chuck-E-Cheese on Saturday afternoon. Horrible place. Rick

MORAL VICTORIES | STATS AFTER UTEP A day late and nearly a dollar short. http://www.cfbstats.com/2018/national/index.html Top 25 rankings through Tuesday, October 9, 2018 OFFENSE Scoring Offense - Tied 20th at 41.5 ppg Passing Offense - 9th at 328.5 ypg Total Offense - 24th at 483.0 ypg First Downs - 12th at 25.5 pg Long Scrimmage Yards - 14th of 10+, Tied 6th of 20+, Tied 17th of 30+ Long Passing Yards - 5th of 10+, Tied 4th of 20+, 30+ Punt Returns - 14th at 19.11 ypp avg Long Punt Returns - Tied 16th of 20+, Tied 13th of 30+... Tied for 1st of 90+ at 1 Kickoff Returns - 21st at 25.50 ypp avg Long Kickoff Returns - Tied 15th of 30+, Tied 18th of 40+, Tied 10th of 50+, Tied 6th of 60+, 70+, Tied 3rd of 80+, Tied 2nd of 90+ DEFENSE Turnover Margin - Tied 6th at 1.50 margin pg Sacks - Tied for 15th at 18 Interceptions - 1st at 12 total and 2.0 pg Rushing Defense - 14th at 104.83 ypg Passes Defended - Tied for 8th at 36 Opponent Long Rushing Plays - Tied for 18th of 10+ Opponent First Downs - Tied for 21st at 17.0 pg Opponent Fourth Down % - Tied for 1st at 0% Kicks/Punts Blocked - Tied for 10th at 2 Opponent Punting - 8th at 36.98 ypp avg Opponent Kickoff Returns - 23rd at 17.44 ypk Opponent PAT % - Tied for 14th at 90.9% Time of Possession - 14th at 33:20.67 mpg Individual Player Rankings Mason Fine - 8th in Passing (319.7 ypg), 13th in Total Offense (314.8 ypg), Long Passing Plays (3rd 10+, 2nd 20+, Tied 4th 30+), Tied 10th for Passing Touchdowns (15) Rico Bussey, Jr. - Tied 2nd Receiving Touchdowns (8) [thanks for the spot, @97and03], Long Receiving Plays (Tied 17th 10+, Tied 8th of 20+) Jaelon Darden - Long Punt Return Plays (Tied 23rd 20+, Tied 18th 30+) Cole Hedlund - Tied 11th in Overall Scoring (10.5 ppg), Tied for 21st in Field Goals % (85.7%), Tied 3rd in Field Goals Made/Game (2.0 made pg) DeAndre Torrey - 4th in Kickoff Returns (32.13 ypk avg), Tied 8th, 5th, or 2nd in Long Kickoff Return Plays (50+ through 90+ yards) Keegan Brewer - Tied 1st in Long Punt return plays of 90+ yards E.J. Ejiya - Tied 6th in Tackles For Loss (11.0), Tied 7th in Kicks/Punts Blocked (1) Brandon Garner - Tied 20th in Tackles For Loss (8.5) Kemon Hall - Tied 4th in Interceptions (3), Tied for 1st in Pick-Sixes (2), Tied 5th for Passes Defended (11) Nate Brooks - Tied 1st in Interceptions (4), Tied 12th for Passes Defended (9) Khairi Muhammad - Tied 4th in Interceptions (3) Dion Novil - Tied 7th in Kicks/Punts Blocked (1)

Oh you want my prediction?

STATS STATS STATS http://www.cfbstats.com/2018/national/index.html Top 25 rankings through Monday, September 10, 2018 OFFENSE Scoring Offense - 11th at 52 ppg Passing Offense - 1st at 457.5 ypg Total Offense - 14th at 568 ypg Field Goals - Tied 1st at 3.5 made pg PAT - Tied 1st 100%, Tied 21st at 5.5 made pg First Downs - 2nd at 33 pg 3rd Down % - 19th at 53.1% Long Scrimmage Yards - Tied 4th of 10+ at 47, Tied 21st of 20+ at 14 Long Punt Returns - Tied 2nd of 20+ at 2, Tied 7th of 30+ at 1 Long Kickoff Returns - Tied 20th of 30+ at 1, Tied 3rd of 40+ at 1, Tied 2nd of 50+, 60+, 70+, 80+, 90+ at 1 DEFENSE Turnover Margin - Tied 18th at 1.5 margin pg (Sacks - just outside tied at 26th at 3 pg) Interceptions - Tied for 15th at 1.5 pg Rushing Defense - Tied at 14th at 74 ypg Total Defense - 20th at 276 ypg Opponent First Downs - 2nd at 10.5 pg Opponent Third Down % - 14th at 24% Opponent Fourth Down % - Tied 1st at 0% Opponent Kickoffs - 20th at 56.25 avg pk Time of Possession - 3rd at 38:45:00 pg Individual Player Rankings Mason Fine - 1st in Passing (431 ypg, 2nd is 40 ypg behind), 2nd in Total Offense (428 ypg, 1st has already played 3 games), Long Passing Plays (3rd 10+, Tied 3rd 20+, Tied 12th 30+) Rico Busseey, Jr. - 12th in Receiving Yardage (118.5 ypg), Long Receiving Plays (Tied 6th 10+, Tied 5th 20+, Tied 17th 30+, Jaelon Darden - 10th in Punt Returns (16.25 avg yppr), Long Punt Return Plays (Tied 3rd 20+, Tied 4th 30+ Cole Hedlund - 1st in Overall Scoring (16 ppg), Tied 1st in Field Goals (3.5 mad pg), Tied 1st in PAT % (100%), Tied 16th in PAT (5.5 made pg) Jalen Guyton - Tied 16th Long Receiving Plays DeAndre Torrey - Tied 2nd, 3rd or 14th in Long Kickoff Return Plays (30+ through 90+ yards) E.J. Ejiya - Tied 16th in Sacks (2), Tied 5th in Tackles For Loss (5), Tied 2nd in Kicks/Punts Blocked (1) Kemon Hall - Tied 3rd in Interceptions (2), Tied 11th for Passes Defended (4)

https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-women/d1/ncaa-womens-soccer-rpi

Great write up.

Defenses don't usually get much love unfortunately.

SMH... No one even noticed. That's a ridiculous dunk, and there wasn't any kind of reaction by anyone. Mr. Jackson, If/When you do that here, you're going to hear a big Super Pit crowd go nuts!!

Great job folks. I got in an additional 94 votes after the midnight hour before it finally kicked me off. As soon as the clock hits 12:00 a.m. and it rolls to the “Current Rankings” field...just double hit the back button and it’ll let you select MF and vote. Sometimes I might get in 5 to 10 extra votes, and sometimes more? Rick

Wow, as an amateur historian I have enjoyed this thread. The underground government complex on the east loop: I toured this facility, at least a small part of it in the 1980's when it was still closed to the public (it still may be for all I know, and it may have been destroyed). The missile base...it's still there, off North locust just south of Milam Rd where the KNTU tower stands. (look on Google Earth) I went there a couple times with friends late at night in the later 80's. There are three rusted silo bays, huge rectangular trap doors each longer than an 18 wheeler, and a small tunnel entrance for each about 30 feet way. There were large padlocks on each entrance, but one padlock was much newer and larger than the other two. This padlock was on a large rusted loop through a steel slot, but the slotted steel piece was fastened closed by one large rusted nut that was easily removed by hand. The whole overbuilt lock assembly was way too easy to unlock, flip over, and open the steel hatch that led down a long concrete staircase in a concrete tunnel. There was a light switch at the bottom of the stairs. The lights in the cavernous room came on and the room started humming loudly and there were a series of loud clunking sounds as ancient hydraulic equipment sprang to life. There were hundreds of boxes marked North Texas so it was apparent that we weren't the first to visit but this was still an amazing facility to explore. The bay doors up top snapped open instantly with the push of a button, and a lever on the missile pad instantly raised the whole platform flush at ground level. Way too cool! We returned everything back to its original position, tuned off the power and resealed the door locks when we left. Always thought I'd some night go back and to photograph the facility but I think that opportunity has long ago passed.

Some of us were at the 1981 Southern Miss at Fouts Field game & the rain was of monsoon proportions. It had flooded like most of us had ever seen the Student Side entrance between the Athletic Center and the stadium. It was so bad you needed a snorkle and frog fins to swim thru it. (Yall think I'm kidding). Gray Eagle, SUMG, Jim & Wanda Parks & myself were trying to keep a huge tarp over us in the driving rain except the wind was wreaking havoc with it. GMG!

UNT 38 USM 31 Need a big game passing from Fine and the defense to step up, especially if Hall is still out

Section 204 row 9 seats 4-8 asking 150.00.

In case your wondering when the voting ends? First round ends on noon Sunday November 4th and the 16 finalists are announced Nov 7th.. The votes are then cleared after each round and voting starts over to determine the 3 semi finalists, which are announced on Nov 20th. Then the winner is announced Dec 6th. http://www.voteobrien.org/voting-process.asp Our vote counts for 5% of the overall vote, combined with 95% of the votes by committee members(previous winners plus media). So we need to stay on this and keep Mason at or near the top. Rick

Sorry Brett. I am not convinced about the running game. UTEP is ranked 111th against the run out of 129 teams. They give up an average of 5.3 ypc and 207 yards per game. Here is how the 2 featured backs did for us against another bad run defense. Yards per carry (last carry to first) Smith: 1, 4, 4, 3, 9, 3, 3, 4, 2, 20, 7, 1, 2, 5 Torry: 0, 2, 7, -1, 7, 3, 25, 0, 0, 1, 21, 4, 4, -2, -2, 0, 1, -1, 1, -2 Nick Smith 13 Carries, 64 yards 4.9 ypc avg 2 <= 1 yard 10 runs 2-9 yards 1 run 20 yards DeAndre Torrey 19 Carries, 70 yards, 3.7 ypc avg 12 runs <= 1 yard 5 runs 2-7 yards 2 runs over 20 yards I really like Deandre Torrey as a scat back. He is a big play guy as is Nick. But, as a featured back, he lacks the size and strength we need right now. You can''t have 12 runs that are <= 1 yard out of 19 carries. That puts the offense in a world of hurt. Nick was much better this week. But, overall, it was still not a great performance against a poor defense IMO. If you take away the three 20+ runs, the YPC for both backs would have been dreadful this past weekend. Here is how Smith/Torrey fared against the 5 other teams we have played. I left out Easly, who was 74-386 total with a nice 5.2 ypc average. SMU - 103 ranked defense against the run out of 129 Torrey 2-6, 3.0 ypc Smith 17-31, 1.8 ypc Just a terrible day against a poor run defense that appeared to be stacking the box. IW Torrey 16-44, 2.8 ypc Smith 6-18, 3.0 I would have expected far better against an FCS program. Arkansas 48 ranked defense against the run out of 129 Torrey 4-13, 3.3 ypc Smith N/A Easly had a nice average in this one. Liberty 126 ranked defense against the run out of 129 Torrey 8-51, 6.4 ypc Smith 1-66 Part time in support of Easly Louisiana Tech 82 ranked defense against the run out of 129 Torrey 1-14, 14.0 ypc Smith 3-31, 10.3 ypc Again, part time in support of Easly who softened up the defense with over 100 yards. So, out of 129 teams, the run defenses we have played are ranked 103, unranked (FCS), 48, 126, 82 and 111. So, it is not like we have played some tough run defenses. Anyway, I am not trying to bust on our players. But, we need much more production, especially in the short yardage situations, in order to take the pressure off Mason and the passing game IMO. Right now I would say that our running game still gets an incomplete at best.

I witnessed a great division 2 game yesterday at Apogee. Midwestern State and Texas A&M Commerce originally played in Wichita Falls. However, they were only able to get one half in due to weather. My buddy is the radio guy for Commerce. He called me and asked if I could help be a spotter. I got to hear first hand how this unfolded. Commerce couldn't find any hotels around Wichita Falls after the rain delay. The closet they could find was in Roanoke. The Commerce AD had a good relationship with Jared Moseley. So they called him and Wren as they were boarding the plane to come back to Denton. They were kind enough to let them use our facilities. The Commerce media guys were very complimentary of our staff and facilities. I had a blast being a spotter in the booth. It was a great game. It went down to the wire. Texas A&M Commerce won 20-19. Midwestern State missed a field goal as time expired.