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A fifth-year senior from Augusta, Ga., Mardrez McBride is no stranger to getting to know new teammates. One of coach Mike White's new members of the Georgia men's basketball team, McBride joined the Bulldogs after stops at McCook College (Neb.), USC Salkehatchie and North Texas. A 6-foot-2 guard, McBride started all 60 games at North Texas over the past two seasons. He's played a ton of college basketball, including in the postseason. In 2021, he scored 24 points against Texas State in the NIT, and in 2021, he scored 16 points in the Mean Green's upset of Purdue in the NCAA tournament. During a recent Quick Chat, McBride talked about adjusting to another new school, the value of his postseason experience on a team without a lot of it, his first dunk, his football days, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say: Frierson: As somebody that's been to a few schools already, how has the transition to Georgia been? McBride: It's been very good. We went hard here ever since I got here; every day is a grind. With so many guys coming in, so many newcomers, we're just trying to get a feel for each other. LINK: https://georgiadogs.com/news/2022/11/16/mens-basketball-quick-chat-mardrez-mcbride

1. Increase revenues The MW is considered the second-best Group of 5 conference in the nation behind the American Athletic Conference, and generally, that's accurate even though the MW sees itself as the top non-power conference. The AAC has appeared in six New Year's Six bowls since the MW last did so and has had more success in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, including back-to-back Elite Eight berths by Houston, a 2021 Final Four team. The AAC has been better than the MW. But the AAC also is losing Cincinnati, Houston and UCF to the Big 12 in 2023, which means now is the time for the MW to overtake the AAC. The biggest difference between the two conferences is the annual budgets and size of the football stadiums, which is partially tied together (if you can fill those stadiums, the revenue explodes). Part of that advantage leaves the AAC when Cincinnati, Houston and UCF exit. But currently, the average AAC budget is about $10 million more than the average MW budget. That makes a difference. Growing the MW's revenue so its members are even with the new-look AAC — which will add Charlotte, FAU, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA — is the top priority. The MW's annual financial distribution must increase. Read more: https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/reporters/seven-things-atop-gloria-nevarezs-to-do-list-as-she-becomes-mountain-west-commissioner

The 1984 season saw North Texas State University promote its club baseball team into Division I NCAA competition as the “Eagles” joined the Southland Conference. The team lasted five seasons — a legacy some former players consider to be short-lived. Rather than let the baseball program become a distant memory in the university’s history, a group of alumni has united in hopes of reviving it. The Mean Green Baseball Project is an advocacy group seeking to bring DI baseball back as its own athletic program. The group consists of seven friends — six of whom played baseball for the university. “People didn’t act like we existed — like we were just this ridiculously horrible team, and we weren’t,” Doug Rush, former North Texas starting pitcher and MGBP president, said. “We had a bunch of really good players. We just didn’t have the scholarships and the backing [of the university] to be successful.” On Aug. 11, 2022, the men teamed up to make a change. They created MGBP social media accounts across several platforms, constructed their own website and reached out to the university Athletics Department. “Let’s put a smile on our face and let’s try to make an impact and help the community possibly bring this back,” Danny Suges, former North Texas baseball player and MGBP vice president, said. There was hope for the MGBP’s anticipated revival in 2016 when former Athletic Director Rick Villarreal proposed a plan to bring baseball back to the university. However, the plan never came to fruition, as Villarreal left the university later that year. “We’ve been waiting patiently for it to start back and it just never has happened, so we’re trying to put a rush on that,” Rush said. The MGBP has raised over $15,000 of its $50,000 goal on its GoFundMe since August 29. The group wants to use this money to advertise and promote their cause and get the attention of larger donors. Aside from using its online platform to spread awareness, the group also attended this year’s Homecoming tailgate on Nov. 5, where they handed out their “#bringitback” T-shirts and koozies. Read more: https://www.ntdaily.com/mean-green-baseball-projects-seeks-to-revive-former-division-i-program/?fbclid=IwAR18aG1osJJOun1Z0-piK-49LoDoIQfu-Kn3nmECHH_3RPpejThLhaBU-O8

TAMPA — As the USF football coaching search unfolds over the coming weeks, every Bulls candidate will confront the same question. How good is the USF job? The answer being pitched this week at the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center: better than it was 35 months ago when the Bulls hired Jeff Scott. “A lot of things that Jeff helped pave the way for will be a great benefit to whoever comes in here and takes the baton from here,” athletic director Michael Kelly said Tuesday. Related: Forget about sexy hires, USF is looking for a long-term relationship The foundation Scott laid will be a crucial selling point as USF hunts for his successor. Because for all of USF’s inherent advantages — starting with its location in one of the nation’s top recruiting areas — its history is full of unrealized potential. But USF has also never won a conference title or played for one. Since 2000, only four other Group of Five programs have played every year without at least appearing in a conference championship: Eastern Michigan, UNLV, New Mexico and Tulane (which might get there this year). read more: https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bulls/2022/11/09/usf-football-coaching-search-bulls-jeff-scott-michael-kelly/

Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell: His offense is one of the most exciting in the country but won’t look as sharp this week against Southern Miss, as star quarterback Grayson McCall is out with a foot injury. If Chadwell doesn’t get a Power Five offer, USF could double his salary ($850,000 last year). Indiana coach Tom Allen: The former USF assistant (and Hillsborough County high school coach) takes a six-game losing streak into No. 2 Ohio State. USF would be an excellent landing spot for him, if he needs an exit strategy. Penn State co-offensive coordinator Ja’Juan Seider: The Belle Glade native and former Gators assistant coaches one of the nation’s top freshman running backs, Nicholas Singleton, and should be able to put up good numbers against a mediocre Maryland defense. Florida A&M coach Willie Simmons: He told the Tallahassee Democrat this week he hasn’t “heard any rumblings or gotten any contract” from USF, but he’d be an attractive candidate. His Rattlers have won seven in a row entering Saturday’s game at Alabama State. Read more: https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bulls/2022/11/10/usf-football-coaching-search-jamey-chadwell-tom-allen-willie-simmons/

Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield is facing pressure from fans after the Tigers' three-game losing streak. There's also growing concern that his job status could be in question if the season continues to spiral. If the Tigers made a coaching change - and there's been no indication that will happen, yet - could they look further south for a potential replacement? On ESPN's College GameDay podcast this week, senior college football writer Pete Thamel suggested Jackson State coach Deion Sanders could be a candidate should the Tigers move on from Silverfield. read more: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2022/10/27/memphis-football-deion-sanders-coaching-change-espn-ryan-silverfield/69597085007/

Quarterback Jacob Zeno has performed admirably the last three weeks since being thrust into action on the road against Western Kentucky, but Dylan Hopkins has been a full participant in practice this week and was named the starter by UAB interim head coach Bryant Vincent. Zeno could still see some action this week considering the progression during his time as the starter. Before sustaining a concussion against the Hilltoppers, Hopkins led the Blazers to a 4-2 record while passing for 1,233 yards, 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, adding 119 yards and 2 scores on the ground. In his time subbing for the former, Zeno has completed 60 percent of his passes for 557 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. North Texas quarterback Austin Aune is one of the oldest players currently in C-USA, due to playing a few years of minor league baseball, and is as experienced as any play of the team. The junior has completed 58.2 percent of passes for 2,753 yards, throwing for 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and leads the Mean Green’s 24th-ranked passing offense (285.2 ypg). Backup Grant Gunnell has taken few snaps this season and Stone Earle is a threat in running packages, rushing for 90 yards and a score on 16 carries. Advantage: Even Read more: https://www.al.com/uab/2022/11/position-by-position-breakdown-for-uab-vs-north-texas.html

DENTON, Texas – North Texas senior kicker Ethan Mooney has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, given annually by the Orange Bowl. A native of Fort Worth, Mooney is North Texas’ all-time leader in career extra points and ranks second all-time in points kicking with 310. He has connected on 49-of-63 field goal attempts in his career good for 77.8 percent, the second-best mark in the UNT record book. Mooney, a preseason All-Conference USA honoree, currently ranks ninth in FBS with 15 made field goals this season. He ranks 12th in FBS with a 93.8 percent rate on field goals this season and also with 42 made PAT’s. Semifinalists will be voted on by a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers to select the three finalists. These finalists will be announced on November 29th and honored at the 31st annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet on December 5th in Palm Beach County. The same panel then selects the winner, who will be announced live on ESPN during the Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 8th. The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker. Since the first Lou Groza Award was handed out in 1992, 28 finalists, including 16 winners, have gone on to appear in the NFL, earning 13 trips to the Pro Bowl and taking home 7 Super Bowls. That list includes 2022 NFL kickers Rodrigo Blankenship, Randy Bullock, Daniel Carlson Mason Crosby, Jake Elliott, Ka’imi Fairbairn, Graham Gano, Matt Gay, Zane Gonzalez, Dustin Hopkins, Younghoe Koo, and Cairo Santos. For more information regarding the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, please visit LouGrozaAward.com, or follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter for updates as they happen. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Jared Fleet, Director of Event Operations at the Palm Beach County Sports Commission at (561) 233-3120 or jfleet@palmbeachsports.com. National College Football Awards Association The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. The NCFAA encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about our story. About the Palm Beach County Sports Commission The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports and sports tourism destination. The Commission brings sporting events and activities to the County, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues (primarily in the off-season), and maximizes utilization of County facilities. The Commission offers a full range of event service support, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and a local membership program that support its goals. Local, regional, national, and international marketing efforts are ongoing by the Commission with sports organizations and event owners. The Commission also produces sports-related programs for the residents of Palm Beach County including the annual Lou Groza Award program, the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame, the Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches, and the annual Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches. For more information on the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, go to www.palmbeachsports.com.

1 UNT_FB_Game_Notes 2022 11_UAB MON.pdf GMG

https://fiusports.com/sports/football/roster/grayson-james/9965

1 UNT_FB_Game_Notes 2022 10_FIU TUE.pdf

Two concurrent storylines in college athletics – the long-debated and finally approved expansion of the College Football Playoff and the every-decade shift in conference affiliation – are about to collide strangely: With the expansion of the game’s postseason field from four teams to 12 starting in 2026 (or earlier), programs where it was previously considered impossible to create a national title shot suddenly have a puncher’s chance of at least seeing the championship structure. North Texas: We’ve previously discussed the long marriage between the Mean Green and Seth Littrell wrapping up at the end of this season in as respectable a fashion as possible, and that still holds – unless UNT finishes its final three games against FIU, UAB, and Rice with a sweep. Losing to UTSA hurt Littrell, but this past weekend’s blowout of Western Kentucky was a huge mark in his favor. LINK: https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-hot-seat-watch-taking-temperature-coaches-in-american-athletic-conference

GMG!

Join Harry and TheRealJD as they post up a quick WKU pre-game show, discussing the game as well as the tough road ahead for Seth Littrell and his staff. Direct audio link: https://traffic.libsyn.com/gomeangreen/WKU_mixdown.mp3

INSTEAD OF A bank vault or a Brink's truck, the betting slips from what could be the largest payout in sports gambling history are being guarded by nothing more than an old, tattered Houston Astros backpack. On a recent Tuesday afternoon in Houston, with the MLB playoffs about to begin, the faded blue nylon bag -- its contents worth potentially millions -- sits on the floor of the massive Gallery Furniture showroom, just within arm's reach of its owner: the Houston furniture magnate and Astros superfan Jim McIngvale, better known around these parts and in the world of high-stakes sports gambling as Mattress Mack. Lanky and seemingly equal parts ears, teeth, cowboy boots and charisma, McIngvale has been a household name in Houston for decades thanks to his wacky TV commercials and his Ross Perot delivery. "I just have what you might call a high tolerance for risk," McIngvale says. "Damon Runyon said 'All horse players die broke.' And I know I shouldn't bet with my heart, but it's hard not to and it's a lot more fun." In 2017, McIngvale gained national attention for opening his doors and sheltering hundreds of victims of Hurricane Harvey for weeks inside his furniture showroom, something he also did after Hurricane Katrina years prior. After the storm, as the Astros continued their historic run to the 2017 World Series, McIngvale was in the news yet again, this time for an only-in-Texas furniture promotion through which anyone who bought a mattress from Gallery Furniture would get it for free if the Astros won it all. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34870415/houston-astros-superfan-mattress-mack-lose-no-matter-wins-world-series

WKU (5-3, 3-1 C-USA) vs. North Texas (4-4, 3-1 C-USA) Date: Saturday, Oct. 29 Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. CT Location: Bowling Green, Ky. (Houchens-Smith Stadium) Watch: Stadium Listen: WKLX (SAM 100.7 FM) and WWKU (ESPN Radio 102.7 FM) in Bowling Green Social: @WKUFootball | @WKUSports Game Notes: WKU | North Texas Game Day Information: Tickets | Gameday Guide | Live Stats NOTES & QUOTES It's homecoming week on The Hill! The Hilltoppers will celebrate homecoming against North Texas this year. Last season's homecoming game was against Charlotte and the Hilltoppers game away with a 45-13 victory over the 49ers. Both of WKU's last two games saw the Hilltoppers enter the matchup with a tied series against their opponent. WKU and Middle Tennessee were tied 35-35-1 entering the 100 Miles of Hate Rivalry. WKU and UAB were tied 4-4 all-time entering Friday night's contest. WKU won both those games to claim the all-time series lead. This week, WKU and North Texas enter Saturday's contest with the series tied at four wins apiece. Saturday will mark the last meeting between WKU and North Texas for the foreseeable future as the Mean Green prepare to make the transition to the American Athletic Conference next season. The Hilltoppers have played North Texas twice as Conference USA rivals, winning both meetings in 2015 as well as 2016. Saturday's matchup between the Hilltoppers and Mean Green will go a long way in sorting out the Conference USA standings. WKU and North Texas enter Saturday in a tie for second place in Conference USA with both teams owning a 3-1 record in league play. The winner will move into sole possession of second place and control their own destiny to play in the Conference USA Championship game. Western Kentucky's win over UAB was its fifth on the season, which puts the Hilltoppers just one win away from becoming bowl eligible this year. It would mark the fourth-consecutive season WKU was eligible for a bowl game, and the 11th time in the past 12 years. The Hilltoppers are 5-3 through eight games this season, which is one game ahead of where they were through eight games a season ago. The 2021 team was 4-4 through eight games after starting the year 1-4. That team went on to finish 9-5 with an appearance in the Conference USA Championship game and the Boca Raton Bowl, which it won over App State. "North Texas week. Good to have another home game. Got a really good North Texas team coming in. One of the top offenses in the conference, playing a very solid defense as well. Should be a tremendous challenge, but it's good we get them at home. It's a big conference game for sure. Last week, Coach Latrell does a great job preparing his guys, and I know they had a tough one last week at UTSA. [We] were in the lead for most of the game, it was a back and forth game and UTSA was able to pull it off. So I know [North Texas has] their jaw set trying to come in here and win and so will we and it should make for a great match up and I'm looking forward to it." -Tyson Helton on the matchup against North Texas "We take it one game at a time, obviously, but we fully understand that to be in control of your own destiny is a good thing and to try not to look past North Texas. Our main focus is North Texas. They are the same way and are trying to control their destiny as well. The big win against UAB, which was huge, that was a really big confidence builder. They are a really good football team, and I thought the atmosphere was fantastic. The fans showed up and did a great job, and we're going to need that again this week because this game will be probably even harder." -Helton on the implications of Saturday's game "Defense wins championships. If you want to win, have a really good defense that produces turnovers. That's why you win, and that's a big box that we checked on several weeks of the season. Again, I think they'll be put to the test again against North Texas. Offensively, did some good things, but there was twice where we got the ball across the fifty and didn't do anything with it. We came away with no points on the board. Both those times we lost yardage. So those are the things we have to correct and fix. Particularly against a team like North Texas." -Helton on getting the team to play complementary football LAST TIME OUT The Hilltoppers came away with a huge victory over UAB, thanks to four forced turnovers by the defense. Kahlef Hailassie was responsible for three of those turnovers, including an interception on UAB's last drive to secure the victory. Quarterback Austin Reed rushed for two touchdowns, and true freshman running back L.T. Sanders rushed for 120 yards. ABOUT NORTH TEXAS The Mean Green enter Saturday's contest with a 4-4 record overall and 3-1 mark in Conference USA play. Austin Aune quarterbacks North Texas and has thrown for 2,017 yards and 20 touchdowns. Roderic Burns is his top target with 541 yards and a touchdown. Ayo Adeyi and Oscar Adaway III are a two-headed monster at running back with 559 and 548 yards, respectively. Defensively, KD Davis leads the way with 84 total tackles on the year. Seth Littrell is in his seventh season as head coach at North Texas. SERIES HISTORY The all-time series between WKU and North Texas is tied at four wins apiece. WKU has won four-consecutive games in the series. FOLLOW US For all the latest on WKU Football, follow @WKUFootball on Twitter and Instagram and like the WKU Football Facebook page.

“I don’t think anything changed, other than their head coach is a very good head coach. I know him well. He’s going to have his players trained. When the hard times come, that’s a testament to who you are and what your program is. Are you strong enough to overcome? One thing coach (Seth) Littrell is always going to do is he’s going to make sure his guys overcome,” Helton said. “That doesn’t surprise me because they did hit a tough stretch there, but now they’ve worked through that and they’ve come back this season – for them to do what they did last season under the circumstances and I think they had the longest winning streak in the conference up to UTSA, that says a lot. “He’s a good coach. He’s a guy that always has his players ready to play and it doesn’t surprise me one bit they’re at where they’re at right now.” WKU opened as an 11-point favorite for the game, which is set to be televised on Stadium. “Should be a tremendous challenge, but it’s good we get them at home. Big conference game for sure, just like last week,” Helton said. “Coach Littrell does a great job of preparing his guys and I know they had a tough one last week against UTSA – as in the lead for most of the game and it was a back and forth game and UTSA was able to pull it off. I know they’ll have their jaw set trying to come in here and win and so will we. It should make for a great matchup. Looking forward to it.” Read more: https://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/wku/helton-we-still-want-to-control-our-fate/article_e779905d-ce62-587f-a469-7ca2ab327b40.html

QB #7 @ Hutchinson JUCO 2022| 6’6 200| 2021 NJCAA All-American 20/21 National Champs | 5 time NJCAA Offense Player of Week https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2023/dylan-laible-273038