Coach Andy Mac

#8 Mason Fine - North Texas A diminutive player who almost headed to Oklahoma State, the 5'11", 185-pound Mason Fine is doing great with North Texas. The gunslinger brought big-time passing talent to head coach Seth Littrell and offensive coordinator Graham Harrell's spread offense. He's already at 9,358 passing yards and 64 touchdowns with a completion rate of 63 percent through his first 36 games. Set to be a senior with the Mean Green in 2019, Fine may be set for his best year. His accuracy, yards per attempt and efficiency all increased in 2018. He cut his interceptions to five as well, honing his craft before the snap and understanding how a defender's leverage affects passing windows. He's really shined in his play under pressure. According to Pro Football Focus, Fine had an adjusted completion percentage of 79.9, threw for 898 yards under pressure and only had three turnover-worthy plays in such situations. Mix his dynamic downfield throwing with his composure, and he'll be a can't-miss watch. read more: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2809912-11-best-qbs-who-will-be-returning-to-college-football-in-2019#slide4

read more: https://www.si.com/college-football/2018/12/04/new-mexico-bowl-north-texas-utah-state-odds-picks-betting-preview

North Texas E.J. Ejiya, LB Ejiya followed a 108-tackle, 12-tackle-for-loss, seven-sack 2017 with 113 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks in his senior season for the Mean Green. More linearly explosive than he is twitchy when changing directions, Ejiya routinely attacks downhill with a lot of force, and because of that, is a good blitzer. His speed is his greatest strength on the football field, and at 6-2 and 230 pounds, he has NFL size for the linebacker spot. Eliya needs to get more tenacious shedding blocks, but right now has the game to potentially get drafted as a late-round pick. Mason Fine, QB Fine's prooobably going to stay at North Texas for his senior season, but he's been good enough in his first three years for the Mean Green that I feel compelled to write about him here. He completed 64.6 percent of his passes in 2018 at a respectable 8.2 yards-per-attempt average with 27 touchdowns to just five interceptions. The biggest problem with his pro projection is that he's listed at only 5-11. He's operated the offense of Seth Littrell -- a Mike Leach disciple -- marvelously. Fine has a quick delivery, good accuracy, and more arm strength than you'd expect for someone his size. read more: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/new-mexico-bowl-2019-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-in-utah-state-vs-north-texas-bowl-game/

read more: https://swcroundup.com/news/2018/12/11/with-littrell-staying-north-texas-looks-to-keep-historic-class

Adam Dorrel

Many thought something would be announced by Wednesday, when Taylor said he hoped to meet with Snyder and discuss his future. Instead, fans are still nervously checking their phones for updates. Taylor did not return a message seeking comment for this story, and the only statements Snyder has made have been one-liners to reporters camped outside K-State’s football complex. The waiting game has gone on long enough that one news outlet inadvertently posted a pre-written story announcing Snyder’s retirement and quickly took it down. And for North Texas athletic director Wren Baker to take to Twitter and calm fans about the rising speculation that Mean Green coach Seth Litrell is a potential candidate to replace Snyder, if he retires. How did we get here? There are a few explanations. read more: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article222501925.html Read more here: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article222501925.html#storylink=cpy

We knew this day would happen. Just gotta hope for Lady Luck with the Tech job opening!

Wow — Bohls is pretty legit. This could change things.

Great photos!

For the first time in 14 years, UT-Arlington is seriously considering the revival of its dormant football program. UTA president Vistasp Karbhari and athletic director Jim Baker have examined the costs of adding a football team within the next 10 years, according to documents obtained through an open records request. In addition to football, the Mavericks have also looked at adding women's soccer and beach volleyball. In 1985, the university disbanded its football program because of budget constraints. In a statement provided Thursday, Baker said the university is seeking an additional feasibility study from a third party. Baker also said the football program "must be exclusively funded by private, philanthropic resources" and exclude any additional money from student fees. Through school spokespersons, Baker and Karbhari declined interview requests Thursday. Karbhari also cited Baker's statement when asked for a comment. In September, the state's attorney general ruled UTA had to release selected emails and documents about UTA's football program. Those materials were released earlier this week after The News filed a complaint to the state's attorney general office. According to an internal budget projection, adding those three sports could cost UTA $146.7 million over 10 years. During the 2017 fiscal year, UTA reported $530,067 in athletic donations and $14.1 million in total operating athletic revenue. Adding women's soccer and beach volleyball brings an estimated combined cost of $10 million over 10 years, with volleyball starting in Year 2 and soccer in Year 3. The two sports would have 20 combined full scholarships, which would help UTA fulfill the Title IX obligations that come with adding 85 football scholarships. In April, Baker and Karbhari reviewed a document that featured a 10-year projection for the football program. By the sixth year, the Mavericks would have a team competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the NCAA's highest level. Read more: https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/collegesports/2018/10/25/exclusive-ut-arlington-considering-reviving-football-program-30-years-after-disbanded

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - North Texas was up 21-10 and going in for the kill to start the second half in Saturday's showdown for the Conference USA West-Division lead at Legion Field. But when the UAB defense stopped the Mean Green on fourth down near midfield, momentum switched sidelines. From that point, the Blazers dominated, scoring 19 unanswered points to overthrow the UNT halftime lead while putting intense pressure on quarterback Mason Fine to slow the Mean Green offense, sending North Texas to a 29-21 loss. In the second half, North Texas (6-2 overall, 2-2 in C-USA play) was stopped three times on fourth down on UAB's side of midfield, gave up some critical pass-interference penalties to keep Blazer possessions alive, missed some tackles against the UAB running game, and could not recreate the offensive success it enjoyed in the first half. The final fourth-down stop came on the Mean Green's final possession of the game, when North Texas was driving for a tying touchdown but came up a yard short on fourth and 10 from the UAB 27-yard line. "We've just got to do a better job," North Texas coach Seth Littrell said. "We've got to do the things necessary to win football games. "I just wish we could have played with more discipline in the second half," he added. UAB (6-1, 4-0) solidifies its grip on the top of the division and remains undefeated at home since its program returned in 2017, has won five straight this year, and is off to the best start in program history. Fine passed for 336 yards and three touchdowns and became the second quarterback in North Texas history to throw for 8,000 career yards, wide receiver Jaelon Darden had a career-day with 10 receptions for 143 yards and two scores, and the Mean Green defense recorded four sacks on the game and held the UAB run game to just 51 yards in the first half. North Texas gave up a sack on its first play of the game, but, despite being under pressure much of the night, Fine threw for 212 yards in the first half, becoming the first quarterback to throw for more than 200 yards against UAB this season. The Mean Green converted three of their first four third downs against a defense that was allowing opponents to convert just 23.4 percent of third downs, and Fine threw for three touchdowns against a defense that had allowed just 14 points in its previous three league contests. The Mean Green exploited the Blazer defense across the middle, hitting slants to Bussey, Jaelon Darden and Cudjoe Young, then throwing wide to Jalen Guyton and Michael Lawrence and Darden. North Texas was up 14-3 when a 61-yard kickoff return ignited the UAB offense, and two plays later the Blazers drew within 14-10. The Mean Green responded however, with a 24-yard TD pass from Fine to Darden and a 21-10 halftime lead. But UAB roared back in the third period, fueled by the stop of the Mean Green on fourth and 2 at the UAB 43 on UNT's opening possession of the second half. The turnover on downs and the ever-present UAB pass rush eventually led to a safety, which was followed quickly by a Blazer touchdown to narrow the North Texas advantage to 21-19. The Blazers kept coming in the fourth quarter. They escaped a third-and-24 when North Texas was flagged for interference, then found the end zone on a 3-yard run to take their first lead of the game at 26-21. North Texas responded with its best drive of the second half, driving deep into the red zone, but the Mean Green fumbled at the UAB 4-yard line and the Blazers recovered, then drove 96 yards for a field goal with just over two minutes remaining. The Mean Green again marched into UAB territory, reaching Blazer 27-yard line. But after three incompletions, a fourth-down pass netted nine of the 10 yards needed, ending the North Texas rally. Quick Hits Junior wide receiver Rico Bussey, Jr.'s 55-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter is the longest play of the season for North Texas. Bussey (Lawton, Okla.) has 17 career touchdown receptions, tying him with John Love (1965-66) for most career receiving TDs at UNT. Bussey has nine TDs this season, tying him for seventh most in a single season at North Texas with Charlie Murray (1978), Johnny Quinn (2004) and teammate Jalen Guyton (2017). Sophomore defensive back Tyreke Davis (Denton) had a big pass break-up, knocking away a third-down pass at the NT 3-yard line for force a field goal. Senior linebacker Brandon Garner (Mansfield, Texas) had a tackle for loss to lift his career total to 27.0, tying him with Corbin Montgomery (1996-99) for sixth on the all-time list. Sophomore wide receiver Jaelon Darden (Houston) had career highs for receptions with 10, receiving yards with 143m and receiving touchdowns with two. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Joe Ozougwu (Alief, Texas) had his first career sack, dropping UAB's A.J. Erdely for a 7-yard loss. Junior quarterback Mason Fine (Peggs, Okla.) moved ahead of Derek Thompson (2009-13) for second all-time at North Texas in career passing attempts with 1,041. Fine's 336-yard performance sets the school record for most 200-yard passing games in a career with 24. Senior defensive back Nate Brooks (Whitehouse, Texas) had his first forced fumble and first recovery on the same play, when he stripped UAB running back Jarrion Street at the North Texas 1-yard line. Senior linebacker E.J. Ejiya (Blaine, Minn.) had 1.5 tackles for loss, giving him 15.0 for the season and moving ahead of Adrian Awasom (2004) for the fifth-best single-season total in program history. UAB had allowed just five sacks this year, but the Mean Green defense recorded four sacks, courtesy of Joe Ozougwu, E.J. Ejiya, Roderick Young and Brandon Garner. Link: https://meangreensports.com/news/2018/10/20/football-uab-second-half-rally-dooms-mean-green.aspx