ADLER

Muzzy, Special Teams Excel In Football Dress Rehearsal Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 08/26/2006 DENTON (8/26/06) – Special teams set the pace in North Texas football’s final dress rehearsal before taking on Texas in the season opener. Zach Muzzy dazzled early with a pair of spectacular returns. The senior nearly ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown, but was able to find the endzone on a 76-yard punt return. Muzzy is expected to handle the bulk of the Mean Green returns, but also looked impressive on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Matt Phillips. Denis Hopovac showed off a powerful leg on kickoffs and on a 39-yard field goal. The senior consistently sent his kickoffs inside the five-yard line, and likely gained an upper hand in battle for the starting job. Isaac Thomas proved he was too much to handle for the Mean Green offensive line. The defensive tackle racked up two tackles for loss and a sack to go with a handful of stops. Not to be outdone, running back Evan Robertson broke free for a couple of highlight-worthy runs. The freshman, who is expected to spell Jamario Thomas and provide a change of pace, showed his elusiveness and speed on a couple of touchdown carries. The Mean Green kicks off the season next Saturday, September 2, against the Texas Longhorns in Austin

WKU to MAC....."Can you hear me now?"

I've been to Rose Bowls, several Cotton Bowls, many Sugar Bowls, and even a Super Bowl, but they don't rank near the top when it come to greatest game status. Nothing even comes close to that game. It wasn't an Earth shattering event for most people in the sports world, in fact I doubt very few even noticed. But, for the few hundred North Texas fans that made the trip to the New Mexico wastelands in early November of 2001 for the game against NMSU, they'll know exactly what I mean. NMSU had played MTSU the previous week in what the papers were billing as The Battle for the Conference Championship. NMSU dominated that game but lost in the final minutes. MTSU had lost to UNT earlier in the season, and a NMSU win against North Texas would about guarantee the Sand Aggies a share of the conference championship, and solidify MTSU's hold on the New Orleans Bowl. To put it lightly, the Aggies were fired up, pissed off, and ready to kick the crap out of somebody. There was just one problem: A few guys named Hall, Kassell, Kennedy, Casey, McGee, Buckles, Galbreath, Jones, Zuniga, Turney, Awasom, and Spencer were not ready to concede anything. Both teams slugged it out in the second half like some Rocky epic. Both teams were fighting for everything they could get. Players from both sides were being helped off the field. The fans of both schools were getting very loud and obnoxious. Scott Hall could barely run but he refused to be removed from the game. It was a valient effort, but it seemed that the game was slowly slipping away in New Mexico's favor. With a slim lead, possession, and less than two minutes left in the game, NMSU coach Tony Samuels decided on a risky play because, as he later stated, he really wanted a touchdown to deliver a "Coup De Grace" blow to emphasize his team's victory. NMSU fumbled and North Texas recovered. The North Texas fans which had only seconds before conceded that defeat seemed imminent were given new hope. The Mean Green were 65 yars away from scoring and there was only a minute and something left. I'll let someone else describe that final drive. The final outcome of that game tilted the balance of power in the conference for the next several seasons and subsequently resulted in four trips to the New Orleans Bowl for the Mean Green. A program, not just a team, which had only 28 days earlier looked hopeless to even the most dedicated fans was given new life. What transpired in that game, exactly how it happened, the heroic efforts involved, and the highs and lows, make that little Sun Belt game in the desert the Single Greatest Sporting Event that I have ever witnessed. Many of the North Texas fans that made the trip that weekend were galvanized in green for the rest of their lives.

If it's going to happen, we may know something as early as Monday afternoon. Everything that gains the attention of the basketball world is good for North Texas. North Texas having facilities suitable for an NBA team may make a positive impression on the recruits that participate in the Nike Tournament held at the university each summer. If only the courts at the new rec center could also be utilized for the Nike Tournament. The talent sunbathing by the pools would certainly make an impression.

During my younger days I would have voluteered to help her find it, but I'm quite certain that it would have had the opposite effect.

By it's own definition of the rules, there is no such thing as a National Championship in Division 1 football. There is a BCS Championship, which people are certainly free to pretend is a National Championship, but the title game is exclusive to only BCS conference members. It's like saying that the Super Bowl would still determine the NFL champions if only the AFC teams were allowed to participate in the game each year.

We need to learn from history. You build a modern Division 1 stadium by building it in components with the intention (and ability) to expand when necessary. For Example: LSU Stadium started by building the prime seating along both sidelines. Then that design was expanded higher and one end was enclosed to make a horseshoe configuration. And later the entire lower area was bowled in and upper decks have been added as additional seating has been required.

Fouts was a horrible design before it was ever built and it has denied North Texas the ability to gain a strong following for many decades. The new design at North Texas is even worse and could doom the program for the next century. I can't believe that we have people actually excited about repeating the mistake.

In addition to copying the North Texas uniforms, how's this item from the Baylor site: The Texas flag but with a touch of Baylor! Instead of Red, White, and Blue it has the classic University of North Texas colors.

Lowe heads UNT’s ’06 Class 08:59 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Denton Record-Chronicle Richard Lowe came to an understanding with the North Texas athletic department before he agreed to take over as the Mean Green’s men’s soccer coach in 1980. Lowe had a job in the history department and didn’t want to venture too far from his career path, so he agreed to coach for one season. More than a decade later, Lowe was still UNT’s soccer coach and the Mean Green were a national power. UNT was ranked as high as No. 7 in the national poll and became the first team in school history in any sport to advance to the NCAA Tournament during Lowe’s tenure that lasted from 1980-93. UNT honored Lowe for those accomplishments on Monday when the athletic department included him in its 2006 Hall of Fame Class that features six former Mean Green greats. Vidal Carlin, Troy Redwine and Dick “Rosebud” Lindsay all represented the football program while Victor Rodriguez (track and field) and Bill Eschenbrenner (golf) also joined Lowe in UNT’s latest induction class that will be honored on Oct. 7 during homecoming. That ceremony will offer a reminder of one of the greatest teams in UNT history, one that Lowe helped build from a club program in the early 1970s. “We felt like we had a chance to be a good soccer program back when it was just a club team,” Lowe said. “We played against college teams and the Dallas-Fort Worth area was one of the hottest spots in the country for soccer talent.” Lowe started out as a faculty sponsor of the club team from 1971-75 and helped convince the UNT athletic department to elevate the team to varsity status in 1976. When Simon Sanchez resigned as head coach in 1980, athletic director Andy Everest asked Lowe to take over. Lowe faced what looked like an insurmountable task in his first game as head coach, when the Mean Green took on national power Indiana. “They were ranked first or second in the country, depending on what poll you were going by,” Lowe said. “Horacio Duhart beat their goalkeeper on a breakaway to give us the win. I thought about retiring right there.” Indiana went on to win the national title that season, while Lowe had found a job for the next 14 years. UNT was ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation for much of Lowe’s tenure and never had a losing season. In 1981, Lowe’s team qualified for the NCAA Tournament and won its first-round game over Eastern Illinois. John Hedlund served as an assistant under Lowe before starting the UNT women’s soccer program from scratch in 1995. “I learned a lot from Richard that I have used in the women’s program,” said Hedlund, who has led UNT to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons. “He taught me all phases of how to run a program from recruiting to the budget to how to build a relationship with players.” Lowe’s tenure as UNT’s men’s soccer coach came to an end when the program was disbanded. Lowe said the decision was based in part on concerns about Title IX gender equity legislation that requires schools to offer equal opportunities to male and female athletes. The scores and records from that era have been lost over the years, but live on with Lowe and his former players. “It’s nice to have this happen,” Lowe said. “It brings back some of the memories from that era.” BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .

Collin Dennis Asked for Release By: USF SID USFNation.com Date: May 27, 2006 Tampa, Fla. – Sophomore Collin Dennis has asked for his release from the University of South Florida men’s basketball program and will not return for the 2006-07 campaign, head coach Robert McCullum announced Friday evening. “We appreciate Collin’s contributions to the program the past two seasons,” McCullum said. “While we are certainly disappointed with his decision, we wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors.” A two-year letterwinner who was entering his junior season next fall, Dennis battled injuries during his tenure in Tampa. He averaged 4.4 points and 1.2 rebounds in 2005-06, but missed 13 games because of an ankle injury. The North Richland Hills, Texas, native contributed 6.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 27 appearances as a freshman (2004-05). For his career, Dennis averaged 5.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 32.4 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from behind the 3-point line. “I am hoping to move to a program closer to home,” Dennis said. “Hopefully at a school in Texas". ____________________________________________________________________ USF Basketball Guard Dennis To Transfer By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com Published: May 27, 2006 TAMPA - University of South Florida sophomore guard Collin Dennis, who started 14 games the past two seasons, is leaving the program with plans to transfer to another school. "You don't want someone in the program that doesn't want to be here," USF coach Robert McCullum said. "My recommendation is I'm in favor of granting him a release, but [athletic director] Doug Woolard has the final say." Dennis must sit out the 2006-07 season at his new school and will have two years of eligibility remaining. Dennis is undecided where he's transferring, but prefers somewhere closer to his hometown of North Richland Hills, Texas, located just outside of Fort Worth, McCullum said. Dennis started seven games each as a freshman and sophomore. He averaged 5.8 points at USF. Dennis' sophomore season was plagued with injuries. The 6-foot-2 Dennis was moved from shooting guard to point guard when Chris Howard suffered a season-ending knee injury. However, Dennis suffered a strained Achilles' in the season opener, causing him to miss 14 games last season.

Mean Green Basketball Signs Collin Dennis Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 07/13/2006 DENTON (7/13/06) -- North Texas head men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones has announced that North Richland Hills, Texas, native and University of South Florida transfer Collin Dennis has signed a scholarship to play for the Mean Green. Dennis will have to sit out the 2006-07 season due to NCAA transferring rules, but will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Mean Green. The 6-2, 185 pound guard originally signed with South Florida following an outstanding career at Richland High School that saw him average 23 points and earn second team all-state honors his senior campaign. "We are very excited about the signing of Collin Dennis to the North Texas basketball program," said Coach Jones. "His ball-handling skills, ability to shoot from the outside as well as get to the basket on the offensive end and ability to defend quicker opponents will make him a very valuable addition to our team. We are not only getting a very talented basketball player, but a wonderful student and person as well. With the addition of Collin and Roderick Flemings, this gives us a great head start on our recruiting for next season." The four-year letterman at Richland High School was the team captain his junior and senior seasons. In addition to his 23 points per game, Dennis also averaged five rebounds and four assists per game his senior campaign. He averaged 24 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as a junior after averaging 15 points and three rebounds as a sophomore. Dennis played at the Nike All-America Camp in the summer of 2003 and also played well at a summer camp in Las Vegas. As a freshman at South Florida, Dennis scored a season-high 25 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field against UAB. He also scored 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting against UTA. He added double-figure scoring games against Southern Miss, Tulane and Stetson as well. Dennis made his first career start against Michigan and also proved he was a clutch player, hitting 6-of-6 free throws against Eastern Carolina in the final 1:37. Dennis followed his impressive freshman season up by starting seven games as a sophomore while competing in 16 outings. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.2 rebounds per game. Dennis scored a season-high 11 points against Rutgers, posted 10 points at Cincinnati and scored eight points against Connecticut. 2005-2006 Bio from USF Website 2005-2006 Statistics Do any of you know enough about him to offer an opinion?

Kilgore Rangers Football 2006 Roster 46 DeMario Thomas 5-8 180 Freshman RB Longview DeMario redshirted this past season at Kilgore Junior College and will have three seasons of eligibility after he signs with North Texas in February. The two brothers will potentially be playing in the same backfield during the 2007 season.

I think it would be less expensive ($300 rt) and would involve less driving if you bought American Airlines ticket for Pittsburgh. A better bet would be to find which airline offers the least expensive "last minute deal' the week preceding the game. There may still be even cheaper ways through those airline ticket "bidding" web sites where you make an offer for leftover seats and fly stand-by. A son of one of my co-workers just flew round-trip to Chicago on American Airlines that way for $29 total. He went with friends to Chicago to see a band perform at a club.

It helps that UCF has been marketing their product in conjunction with plans to build a legitimate Division 1 venue. Their fans are secure that they are investing their finances in a program which will remain in college athletic's top division. Hiring and retaining a coach with a proven record of success helps insure that the program will be competitive at that level.

Unfortunately, the F didn't stand for 'further' when I read it. Here's an interesting detail about the local product that's heading to UAB: Mayfield was attracted to UAB in part because of new coach Mike Davis and also because of Eddie McCarter, the former Texas-Arlington coach. McCarter, who resigned from UTA in March after 14 years, is expected to get an assistant’s position with UAB.

True, but why is there that lack of support? It's always easy to blame the customers, but that's not where the fault lies. The product on the court has historically been patheticly substandard and the marketing and promotions for the product have been nearly non-existant. Hopefully both those factors will change dramatically within the next two years.

Let's face facts. Since Bill Blakely left there has been very little to actually get excited about when it comes to North Texas basketball, and that was several years before any of our current players were even born. There have been memorable moments and memorable players, but no outstanding seasons, and very few impressive victories. Finally, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this, Johnny has amassed several top tier recruits, even if many of them had to transition through elite programs before transferring. (I'm defining elite here only as teams that are expected to annualy make the NCAA tournament) Flemings, Davis, and Wooden were all prized recruits when they signed with Oklahoma State, Arkansas, and Arizona State respectively. Add to those the solid North Texas players that were signed out of high school because the Mean Green were victorious in recruiting battles and you can see that Johnny and his staff have slowly compiled the most talented roster that North Texas has had in over a generation. Now it's up to Johnny and those same players to see what they can accomplish with that talent. Can they unify as a team and reach their combined potential?

Grandgreen, you have several valid points. We've lost 5 scholarship players from last season; Barnett, Brown, Hines, Simpson, and Sturns, and we've signed 5 for next year; Muse, Jackson, Mangrum, Bell, and Flemings. And I too concede that we are precariously thin at the point. But.....it's awfully difficult to justify not recruiting a potentially impact power forward from our area, especially when there are so many questions concerning the health and durability of one of our signees from Mineral Area JC. Also, does Mangrum have the speed and ball handling skills to play point guard? I have never read anything that suggests that he doesn't, and although he was a proficient scorer, he averaged nearly 5 assists in high school. It would be great to have a point guard that was deadly from the arc.

scout.com - UNT Insider

North Texas has got to get a functional stadium designed to replace Fouts. That horrible design that was used for the virtual tour was as poorly conceived as Fouts and would be the death knell of Division 1 football at North Texas.

Jeremy Mayfield, High School Class of 2005, Nevada Signee. North Texas wasn't listed as a choice on Rivals.com, but his interest had been reported in the Morning News.

And don't be too surprised if you see This Guy on the court next season. Like Bryan Lucas several seasons ago, I bet he'll have a change of heart about football. Hopefully JJ can get all the pieces to work together. This should be a pretty talent laden team.

OldTimer, you may not believe me, but you probably should believe this guy. YOU should be able to trust this guy. Or read then the bottom of This One by the same author.

I'm not certain, but I think he would be immediately eligible. He would possibly have to get clearance from the NCAA, but with OU's recently announced probation, I doubt that would be an issue. He should be able to sign with any school during the late signing period.