akriesman

AEF, We are all just thrilled as can be with this recruiting class. And, we should be. I don't think anyone here expects a 2-9 team to recruit with the likes of the big boys. By the numbers, this is the best recruiting class that I have ever seen at NT (in 20+ years). As the team improves over the next few seasons in the Sun Belt, I would expect the recruiting to improve even more. Let us be happy. It would really be unrealistic to expect TD to do much better as a Sun Belt team coming off a 2-9 season.

And that is what you just have to love about Giovanni. I learned quickly last season that you are always going to get 110% with him. Sometimes his competiveness scares the hell out of you though, with some of the shots he takes trying to make something happen. NT has never been this QB rich since I became a fan 22 years ago. We have two young men that have intelligence, competitiveness and terrific work ethics at the most important position on the field. I certainly hope we can keep both these young men around for their entire college careers. They are both very special.

We drove down to Austin for that game and planned on celebrating all night on 6th street, even after the expected loss. But, the game made us so angry and bitter, that we all drove straight home and barely said a word the entire way back. I have never been so angry after a FB game. An ESPN camera man was filming near us. The cameraman said he had never seen such an awful call in the years he has been filming games.

Why would RV go to Louisiana Tech ? Isn't that a lateral move at best ? For the first time in my 20 years as a UNT fan, I am extremely happy with the administrators from top to bottom. To lose RV to LT would be a huge slap in the face IMO. I could understand a BCS school. But, Louisiana Tech ? There is more potential here at UNT. If RV was to leave, then you would have to assume that there are some major problems brewing here. FWIW, I don't believe these rumors anyway. I think that Rick will try his best to get us over the hump, before considering a move on to bigger and better things.

I noticed that today also. We now have 7 3-star players. In addition to the 3-star playes, our 2-star players are near the upper end of the 2-star category. In the past, most of our 2-star recruits were near the bottom end of the rivals 2-star classification. Awesome work TD and staff !!

I know that some of these changes hurt some people. But, as the quality of the product increases (including a new stadium), I think you will continue to see more price increases and restrictions. Unfortunately, progress has it's price.

Man, that FIU loss really cast a shadow on the 2007 season. That game hurt our credibility worse than any of the others.

By the start of next season, I would expect that we will have seen the last of player discord with the current coaching staff. This is a much different environment than the Dickey regime. Not everyone is going to adjust well. Good luck to Peachey. Sorry it did not work out for you here.

Very nice job. I think comparing only the conference games says a lot more about the strength of the local fan base. Including the out of conference games can really skew the attendance numbers both positively and negatively. The weather certainly plays a factor though. Just look at the WKU game. In general, we were pretty lucky to have good weather this year.

DeLoach has skins on the wall here, and is well liked by both players and alums alike. I am thrilled if he is indeed the DC and can think of no better fit for this program right now. Can't wait for the official word.

I really liked listening to Matt's talk shows. He was a very enthusiastic coach and a good fit for the program at that time. I wish things could have worked out better for him here in the end.

If Deloach is interested, the search can stop right there. Unlike last year's underachieving UNT defense, our defense in the past under Deloach had always overachieved IMHO. Come back Gary and lead us to the promised land with TD......please !

In addition to the fact that we had the worse defensive stats in all of D1A, this news tells me that one or more of the following statements are probably also true: - The defensive players were losing respect for coach(es). - The recruiting of defensive players was suffering because of questions about our staff. - TD was not happy about "the incident" at Fouts regarding FFR. I am sure that this was a very painful call for TD. But, it was a necessary one. Whether or not the problem was due to poor coaching, it certainly seemed to be from the fan (and recruit ?) perspective. Fan/recruit perception is very important for us right now, while trying to build a successful program from the ashes, with limited financial resources. Good luck to coach Mendoza. I am sure he will rebound and succeed elsewhere.

You are exactly right ! If they have to reduce the price to fill the banquet in the future, it would only indicate that our program would be on the slide downwards.

Kudos to Rick and all the firefighters for everything they do. Athletes may get all the credit, but firefighters are the real heroes in this country IMO.

I expected 3 wins this season due to inexperience with the spread. But, I expected overall improvement as the season went on. While the offense overachieved my expectations, the defense was worse than disappointing. I am still very excited about having TD lead this team into the future. But, the defense has me really concerned going into next season.

As long as NT remains at the top of the SunBelt recruiting list under TD, we have a good reason to be optimistic. Right now, our 2008 recruiting class is far ahead of any other Sun Belt team. Before the season started, I said that I would give TD and staff a full 3 or 4 seasons before judging any success/failure. I based this comment on the assumption that it would take 3 or 4 seasons for TD's recruits to fully mature. For the most part, I still stand by this. While I fully support this team and staff, there is no excuse for the kind of defensive performance we have seen this year. I refuse to believe that the talent level on the defensive side of the ball was so bad, that we would easily have the worst defense in all of 1A. But, I have full confidence that when the season is reviewed by RV/TD, adjustments will be made as necessary. If the adjustments require shifting around responsibilities, or even going outside the current staff for help, then it will get done. Have faith boys. It should be an interesting offseason.

And, who knows if they are done yet ? Giving up 40+ points to FIU is just unthinkable (if they do in fact score over 40). If you would have told me that NT would have the worst scoring defense this year in all of 1-A (by far), I would have never believed it. 119 out of 119. That is just unimaginable.

Yep. The same Juggernaught FIU offense that is average 13 points a game this year. I thought that Mendoza's man-on-man schemes would at least work against this bench.

Losing to FIU would be the worst possible way to end this season. This was one of only 3 games that I had penciled in for wins this season. Our defensive performance this season is just beyond words. I just saw that Army held Navy to under 300 yards of total offense today (Navy won easily though). That is the same Navy team that ran over us like pylons.

Fouts does look better. But, that damn track.......

There was no announcement. But, you might look at FFR's post for at least some hope. http://www.gomeangreen.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=38052

Probably better not to ask. UTA by 11 (36-25)

OK State loses by 30. This is not going to be good for our RPI, FWIW.

Troy has one heck of a SBC team. It would not surprise me to seem them break the top 25 before this year is done.