[***Official UNT vs. SMU In-Game Discussion (THE FINALE)***]

How about offensive PI?  Clear shove in the back before the ball got there.  Otherwise would have been easy int.

[***Official UNT vs. SMU In-Game Discussion (THE FINALE)***]

You have to wonder how on earth this staff had a Spring and Fall practice and could not figure out that Rogers is light years ahead of the other QBs on this team.  

[***Official UNT vs. SMU In-Game Discussion (THE FINALE)***]

They don't call the PI when Cleveland basically got tackled then we don't even come close on 4th and 3.  Of course SMU immediately scores.

SMH

[Should Matt Caponi Be Fired? My Thoughts on the Situation.]

5 hours ago, TheReal_jayD said:

Before we place the blame on Matt Caponi, I think we need to take a step back at how we got here. North Texas lost 5 of its top returning 7 tacklers from last year’s defense. With only Mazin Richards and Kevin Woods returning. Kevin Woods has not returned to preinjury form while Mazin has been playing in a new position most of the year. I know we have spoken to nauseum on the board that the 3-3-5 defense will not work at North Texas. But if you scan down the top defenses in the country you will see several 3-man fronts scattered in the top 20.

I think a huge reason this defense has struggled this year has been due to youth and lack of talent. I think we are seeing a ton of youth playing more and more each week. The freshman trio of Jayven Anderson, Evan Jackson and Ethan Wesloski played over 160 snaps between the three this last Saturday against UTSA. The most so far this season. I don't think the best move is to fire Caponi just yet. I want to see him, and this staff have a full offseason to use the portal and juco ranks to revamp this defense. North Texas has several key pieces set to return. If Caponi is fired it will be the 4th Defensive Coordinator in 5 years for North Texas. I would like this team to be able to have some continuity and have the chance to grow. We all love Phil Bennett, but his defense didn’t set the world on fire in year one. But we saw huge growth in year two.

I think if you don't lose Gaddie and Nixon this defense looks greatly improved this year. But hindsight is 20/20. I am not going to say Morris made the wrong hire. I do think they made a mis step by not being more aggressive in bringing in ready to play players on that side and may have been too dependent on high school recruiting. But I am wanting to see what they can do with a full offseason. Caponi was not hired till after the early signing period. That is a ton of talent off the boards and put the whole team behind the 8 ball in terms of roster building. The Mount Union and Iowa State connection gives me hope that Caponi can turn this thing around.

 

This defense has a ton of talent to return. The Junior trio of Safeties in Hill, Wilson and Nakwaasah with freshman’s Jayven Anderson and Evan Jackson fighting for Starting Roles. Ridge Texada and Taylor Starling are set to return as cornerbacks. All Conference caliber DT Rod Brown is set to return as well. I truly believe this has been ugly this season I am no denying that. But I believe with Caponi’s intelligence and pedigree that with some recruiting he will get this thing trending in the right direction.

 

Disclaimer: This is all my personal optimistic opinion. Morris may fire him after the SMU for all I know. But I would like a second season just to make sure. Like I said with Bennett, just because you hire a new Defensive Coordinator, I believe it will take whoever you hire to get it turned around. Especially with learning another new system.

Sorry, but a competent DC is able to evaluate the talent he has vs the talent he needs which means that he should have shown at least a recognition of the problem by hitting the portal hard.  90% of this abomination of a season sits at the feet of Craponi, but Morris has to own the overall responsibility.

[Worst hire since Dodge?]

Simple question. 

Maybe even worse than Dodge considering the money involved?

Hard to imagine a worse start for a coach that was supposed to elevate the program.  So far this is definitely a significant step backward for the program and a HUGE swing and miss by the AD.  This is the type of hire that got RV fired.

[NIT Changes Favor Power 6]

On 11/1/2023 at 7:14 PM, CMJ said:

Let me assure you that the winner of the SWAC regular season isn't getting in the NIT if they don't win their league tournament.  The ONLY way they're getting in the NIT is with the auto bid.  That's true for about 20 leagues.

This ain't 'show friends'

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

4 hours ago, Ken14 said:

 

Miss me yet?? Ya'll still have my number????

 

Hell, I am starting to miss this guy:

(Ron Mendoza)

[UTSA Athletic Fee Failed]

 

That's unfortunate news.

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

Just now, 3_n_out said:

Why didn’t you play the ball!!!

I mean, a good coach teaches kids to just tackle the guy before the ball gets there and live another play.  

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

Craponi strikes again!

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

Hate that their defense is getting all this time to regroup.  Come on Chandler.

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

Ok, looks like Craponi's strategy is to let them score pretty quickly so we can get the ball back down only 10.

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

Whew, things were getting a little too close so Morris called the ol' fumblerooski so Memphis can get this back to a 3 score game. 

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

Craponi is now thinking outside of the box.  Get the nose tackle to jump offsides on 3rd and 1 in order to slow down their offense.  Nice.

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

Wow, more awesome coaching coming out of that time out.  

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

24 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

My early prediction is SMU will put up 70 on us

I hope we send them a text message on Friday of game week wish them well in ACC and let them know we have to forfeit due to Covid.

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

4 minutes ago, rcade said:

That running back looks gassed. We have them right where we want them.

Better not take a chance.  Force him to make another 75 yard run and see if we can finish off that hammy.

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

Head coaches that only understand one side of the ball should be coordinators, not head coaches.  There really is no excuse for this level of ineptitude.

[***OFFICIAL Memphis State vs UNT Game Thread***]

Craponi or Morris or both have to go.  Ridiculous excuse for a defense.

[Rangers '23]

Watching Rangers is very similar to watching Mean Green sports. 

[UNT vs. Tulane (10/21/23 Score Predictions)]

52-21

Their strengths are our weaknesses. Not a good combination. 

[Eclipse this Saturday during game]

What is our record during eclipses?

[Morris Weekly Press Conference (10/03/2023)]

17 hours ago, Big Z said:

Air Raid mentality on their defense 

The faster we let the other team score the sooner we can get the offense back on the field, says every air raid coach ever.

[Early Prediction - Will we hold Navy to less than 500 yards offense?]

I have zero confidence that Craponi is wiling to make the necessary adjustments to remain competitive and will continue to try and prove that he is smarter than everyone else. 

I am normally not a big gambler, but if Navy is somehow favored by less than 7 points, I will be tempted to make my largest ever bet.

[Week 4 Observations]

5 hours ago, 97and03 said:

So I know that we scored two touchdowns but I am starting to wonder if Ward has questionable hands. Both TD passes were bobbled and he was lucky to pull them in. Credit for maintaining his concentration and completing them but a tighter coverage and those are incomplete. I seem to recall some other similar moments with him. Does that track with others’ observations?

It seems like at least one of those passes was a wounded duck from Rogers.  Can't recall if the bubble screen for a score was a clean throw or not, but the duck was not the easiest of catches.