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Marcus Trice started under the overhang in the end zone and jogged slowly onto the green turf at Apogee Stadium, just like the rest of his senior teammates. Most met their mothers and fathers on senior day at North Texas, while others were welcomed by girlfriends or grandparents Trice ran into the arms of what looked like a family reunion before the Mean Greens home finale against Texas-San Antonio on Nov. 23. Ann and Pierre Givens, his aunt and uncle, were there, as were Ed and Tina Taylor, family friends who served as his legal guardians since 2008, and their son Darius Taylor, a friend who is more like a brother. Trice often has wondered how his life might have turned out had it not been for each member of the group that helped guide him from St. Louis to Mesquite, through a two-year stint playing for Oklahoma and finally to UNT. Trice grew up in the rough sections of the north side of St. Louis and the suburb of Pagedale. Three cousins and a close friend were shot and killed and another died of a drug overdose in those neighborhoods over the last six years. Trices mother, Charissie Evans, thought he was on his way to a similar fate and convinced him to start over in Mesquite a new town with new people to guide him. That decision changed Trices life. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20131228-football-life-changing-support.ece?ssimg=1361524#ssStory1361520

Enough about attendance already let's game talk! It is time! Anybody watch a UNLV game this season? Any thoughts on how we match up? We are showing as 6.5 favs with an under over at 56 -- tells me the oddsmakers like our defense. But again who is UNLV? What are their strengths? Link to final regular season stats in their win over San Diego State (who dominated their bowl game against Buffalo): http://www.unlvrebels.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2013-2014/sd-lv.html Initial impressions: Team has good size across both lines. At least on paper they look like a big, athletic team across all positions. A 6-3, QB who can run. An all star RB and WR. Two 6-7 Olinemen, a 6-6 255 Tight End, A 6-1, 250 linebacker that looks mean and an athletic secondary. I've said it before and will say it again, for those wanting revenge against UTSA this is your chance. This team looks and plays a LOT like UTSA to me witha QB that can hurt you with the run and pass. They will load up against the run and force DT to beat them in the passing game. This game could present a big challenge to us both offensively and defensively as UNLV started clicking late in the season and their overall 7-4 record could be deceiving. UNLV Two Deep Offense C 79 WATERMAN, R. (6-2, 290) LG 78 JEFFERSON, C. (6-6, 300) LT 69 Boyko, Brett (6-7, 310) RG 72 Scoggins, Ron (6-3, 335) RT 73 Oberg, Andrew (6-7, 280) QB 8 Herring, Caleb (6-3, 200) RB 35 Cornett, Tim (6-0, 210) WR 81 Davis, Devante (6-3, 210) WR 18 SULLIVAN, M. (5-9, 195) TE 46 Phillips, Jake (6-6, 255) H 16 BARNHILL, T. (6-4, 240) Defense DE 93 Sanitoa, Sonny (6-3, 260) DT 97 Garrick, Mark (6-4, 280) DT 99 Gaston, Tyler (6-3, 295) DE 85 SPARKMAN, J. (6-6, 265) LB 55 Lotulelei, Tau (6-1, 220) LB 41 Maka, Tani (6-1, 250) LB 43 Hasson, Tim (6-2, 215) CB 17 Penny, Kenneth (5-11, 170) SS 42 Vea, Peni (6-1, 200) FS 32 Horsey, Mike (6-0, 180) CB 29 Hasson, Tajh (6-1, 195) Six players honored by Phil Steele: LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Six UNLV football players were named to Phil Steele's 2013 Postseason All-MW Team, including first-team pick Devante Davis. Davis, a junior wide receiver, has shattered the UNLV record for touchdown receptions in a season with 14 and is just the second Rebel since 1994 to reach the 1,000-yard mark. His 1,194 yards through 12 games is the third-most in program history while his 77 catches stand fourth in a season at UNLV. Senior running back Tim Cornett, who is UNLV's all-time rushing king and ranks second in conference history with 3,700 yards, was named to the second team. In 2013 he has 1,251 net yards and 15 touchdowns rushing to go with a career-high 142 yards on 28 receptions. Joining him on the second team was offensive tackle Brett Boyko. The junior left tackle has allowed just one quarterback sack through 12 games. A trio of Rebels was named to the Third Team: defensive lineman Mark Garrick, safety Peni Vea and cornerback Frank Crawford. UNLV continues its preparations for the Heart of Dallas Bowl vs. North Texas on New Year's Day. Tickets are $75 apiece (UNLV students with valid I.D. are $20 apiece with a limit of two) and available now by calling (702) 739-FANS (3267) or visiting www.unlvtickets.com.

UNT is headed to a bowl game for the first time since 2004 and the Denton Record-Chronicle is going all out for the occasion. If it seems like I have been MIA on the blog for a while, which I have, there is a good reason. I have been holed up in the office writing and designing the largest bowl section we have ever produced. The section will be 12 pages with not a sliver of wire content anywhere. It’s all UNT and UNLV all the time. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/12/the-heart-of-dallas-bowl-section-is-out-tomorrow.html/

I just spoke to RV regarding the issues surrounding the tickets and FedEx delivery. They have identified and he is aware of the issue in regards to the mailing of the tickets and how they were distributed. There was a miscommunication in the ticket office in regards to how the tickets would be delivered. RV apologized on behalf of the entire staff for any inconveniences this may have caused some of the fans. The entire athletic department is proactively trying to get in touch with everyone who could have been affected by this to get them their tickets and get things resolved to their satisfaction. They want only to make sure everyone gets their tickets and enjoys this bowl game. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED YOUR TICKETS - you can contact the ticket office at 1-800-UNT-2366 but please understand that they have a limited number of phones and there are still a LOT of people still buying tickets for the game so there probably will be wait times. In addition to the phones, the following schedule will be in place for those wanting to pick up their tickets in person: * The UNT Ticket office (@Apogee) will be open all day tomorrow (Saturday) (12-28) * The UNT Ticket office (@Apogee) will be open all day Monday(12-30) * The UNT Ticket office (@Apogee) will be open until noon on Tuesday (12-31) * They will move the Ticket Office to the Omni Hotel Lobby from 3-5 on Tuesday afternoon (12-31) * They will have tickets available for pickup at the NYE party at the Tower Club on New Years Eve (12-31) * They will have a ticket table set up @7AM at the Cotton Bowl on gameday In addition -- RV asked if anyone could not get the options above to work that you could email him personally at rick.villarreal@unt.edu and he and his support team would assist you in getting your tickets. He reiterated at the end of the phone call they were going to do everything they could do to make this right and get everyone their tickets as quickly as possible! GMG!

GAME DAY EATS - If you are hungry before or after the Heart of Dallas Bowl on New Year's Day, the iconic Old Mill Inn Restaurant & Bar will be open at 7:30 a.m. on game day. Located 400 feet from the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium in the shadow of Big Tex inside Fair Park, the Old Mill Inn will feature breakfast and lunch with a full bar service. The menu features county-style cooking like chicken-fried steak, sandwich baskets, fruit cobbler and more. The Old Mill Inn was built as a flour mill for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. It was a large exhibit that featured a modern experimental flour mill, three model kitchens and a tea room. The roof (which features hand-carved beams that German carpenters connected with wooden pegs) and all other woodwork is built of old timbers. The stones are laid after the manner employed by the masons of a century ago. The fireplace in the down stairs dining area remains in its original state as it was in 1936. A working water wheel, and fountains, complement the nostalgic experience. In later years, the Old Mill became the Bordens Dairy Exhibit during each State Fair of Texas. Youngsters took particular delight in going there to visit "Elsie" the cow, her husband "Elmer" (of glue fame), and their calf son, "Beauregard." For information, please telephone 214/426-4600.

Two former Wildcats will be in action representing the University of North Texas (8-4) in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, vs. UNLV (7-4) Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. in the Cotton Bowl. The game will be televised on ESPNU. Blake Macek is No. 40 for the team and the starting punter for the Mean Green. Macek, a 5-9, 186-pound redshirt freshman, has earned high praise in Denton. He was named the 2013 Conference USA All-Freshman team. He has the highest freshman punting average (40.8) in school history. Forty percent of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, that was 15th in the nation. Macek had 11 kicks of over 50 yards and a career long of 61 yards against Georgia. In seven games he had at least one punt downed inside the 20-yard line. Mason Y’Barbo has already received his diploma from North Texas. He is a 6-2, 307-pound offensive lineman wearing No. 57. This year he was named to the 2013 Conference USA All-Conference Second Team at offensive line. He also was named Midseason All-C-USA Third-Team by Phil Steele while starting all 12 games. A highlight of his season was when he recovered a fumble for a touchdown at Tulane. Y’Barbo has been part of an offensive line that has allowed only 10 sacks on the season and the fewest sacks in the nation with 16 over the last two years. He blocked for Brandin Byrd to rush for over 1,000 yards. In 2012 he was named Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt Conference in 2012 for the first time in his career. That year he started all 12 games and has started 24 straight games. Y’Barbo was part of an offensive line that led the nation in allowing the fewest sacks in 2012. The Mean Green offensive line gave up just six sacks last season and did not allow a sack in nine of the 12 games in 2012. That year the North Texas squad rushed for over 2,000 yards for the third time in the last four years He helped North Texas rush for over 200 yards in four games in 2012 and a season-high 352, which was the ninth-highest total in school history. Y’Barbo played and started all 12 games as a freshman. The Heart of Dallas Bowl is the Eagle’s second appearance in a New Year’s Day bowl. North Texas played Jan. 1 in 1948 in the Salad Bowl, which was a precursor to the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Ariz. North Texas is he only school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to earn a bowl invitation this year. Read more: http://www.myssnews.com/news-telegram/sports/24148-5-former-wildcats-in-bowl-games.html

Read this letter in the Dallas Morning News (link): http://letterstotheeditorblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/heart-of-dallas-bowl-unt-is-now-a-football-team-worthy-of-a-bowl-game.html/ On January 1 we have a great opportunity to showcase Dallas and the University of North Texas Mean Green Eagles on national TV. Just imagine the excitement of being at the original Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. We need all UNT alumni, friends, and people who love football to put on your green and join us at the Heart of Dallas Bowl. These student athletes deserve our support. In the three years since Coach Dan McCarney and his staff arrived at UNT, we have transitioned into a team worthy of playing in a bowl game and capable of winning. I hope to see you in the stands when we kick off at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Let’s fill the stands with green and show the nation we stand behind the Mean Green. GO MEAN GREEN! Phala Finley, Dallas

Hey, Merry Christmas everyone! As some of you may recall from the midsummer, I put together most all of the UNT Mean Green post for /r/CFB's 132+ Teams in 132+ Days thread series. Well the subreddit is back with a similar series of threads for all 35 bowl games this season in the 35 Bowls in 17 Days. I am making the post for the Heart of Dallas Bowl along with a UNLV poster. I want to make this particular post fun, so if you know of any cool things I should include, let me know! Also, anyone who watched or witnessed any past iteration of the HoD, give me the inside scoop on which game has been the best in its short tenure. Thanks and GO MEAN GREEN!

Not sure to what level social media will ultimately play in terms of the attendance for this bowl game, but it is striking how much traffic I am seeing about the game on twitter right now. Whether it is simple stuff like "I just got my bowl tickets" or instructions on how to pick up tickets or just encouragement about attending the game you can't help but think it could have a positive impact.

When the captains for the UNLV and North Texas football teams meet at midfield on New Year’s Day for the Heart of Dallas Bowl, they will shake hands and await the result of the coin toss that starts off every football game. When they get there, the Rebels will see a familiar face while the Mean Green see one they’ll know shortly — current UNLV President Neal Smatresk said he’s going to do the ceremonial coin toss. That thumb flick will be a sort of passing of the torch as Smatresk prepares to leave UNLV to take the same position at North Texas on Feb. 3. In the meantime, he finds himself in an incredibly unique situation as he prepares to watch his current and future teams meet in a bowl game that means a lot to both programs. “Two football teams and one president,” said UNLV Athletic Director Tina Kunzer-Murphy. While that’s not entirely true — retiring North Texas President V. Lane Rawlins will be in his position until Smatresk takes over — it’s certainly an interesting situation. No one has been able to find a similar example, where a university leader was able to watch his two athletic programs play each other in the middle of his transition from one institution to the other. Smatresk, who has said he’s taking the job to be closer to his family, was named the lone finalist for North Texas at the end of November. In the week leading up to the bowl announcement, when projections changed seemingly every hour and ADs were busy calling in favors, Smatresk was one of many following every ebb and flow. “I was totally following it every minute,” he said. “I’m a fan. I’m in it.” Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/dec/27/two-football-teams-and-one-president-smatresk-cent/

Ian Campbell loves Mean Green football -- so much so that he's attended every home game since he was born. When he was born in 1996, his father Scott Campbell, a 1982 University of North Texas graduate, continued his tradition of attending every home UNT game, and he began bringing Ian along. They estimate Ian, now 17, has seen 96 consecutive games. And he's looking forward to attending the Heart of Dallas Bowl -- UNT's first bowl game since 2004 -- in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Jan. 1. "It just seems like college football is more lively," says Ian Campbell, a senior at Marcus High School in Flower Mound who plans to attend UNT next fall. "A lot can happen at the games and I've always loved the atmosphere -- the traditions, the chants, the cannon. It's always what I wanted to do on my Saturday nights." His enthusiasm stems from his father, who attended home games as a student at UNT. As a member of the Talons, Scott Campbell shot Boomer the cannon, built bonfires and participated in other school spirit events. Read more: http://www.crosstimbersgazette.com/index.php/sports/3849-for-the-love-of-the-mean-green

I stopped to talk with Quenton Brown a couple of days ago about what will be one of the feel-good stories of UNTs trip to the Heart of Dallas Bowl, one will go into greater detail on in the next couple of days. Brown is back to feeling pretty good and will be in the rotation when the Mean Green takes on UNLV in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/12/the-feel-good-story-of-quenton-brown.html/

DENTON, Texas (AP) - North Texas quarterback Derek Thompson can genuinely appreciate how far the Mean Green have come in his college career. Thompson's final game at North Texas will be on New Year's Day when the Mean Green play their first bowl game since 2004, against UNLV in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. North Texas (8-4) is wrapping up its third season under coach Dan McCarney. Read more: http://www.kltv.com/story/24308502/north-texas-impressive-transition-to-bowl-team

By Drew Harris, www.heartofdallasbowl.com No player on the UNLV football team personifies the gritty 2013 Rebels better than senior quarterback Caleb Herring. “He’s a classic example of guys who persevere and are persistent,” head coach Bobby Hauck said. “It seems like we are in a day and age where when kids see the first sign of adversity, they bail or try to find an easier path. He didn’t do that. He stuck with it.” Herring, who was the starting signal caller as a sophomore before losing the grasp on the job in 2012, lost a hard-fought battle for the starter’s job again this year. But after the squad began the season 0-2 and trailed 14-0 in the early going against Central Michigan, a change was made that altered the course of the Rebels’ season. Following another CMU score, Herring led the Rebels to 31 unanswered points in a 31-21 win, orchestrating the largest comeback in school history. The native of Moreno Valley, Calif., threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns in three quarters and set an all-time school record for completion percentage in a game (24-for-28, .857). Including that contest, the Rebels won seven of their final 10, scoring 33.9 points per game and earning UNLV its first bowl berth since 2000. The Rebels, which scored 23 and 13 points in its first two games without Herring, totaled at least 24 points in all but one of the final 10 outings. “My mindset was to be ready whenever the team needed help,” Herring said. He was more than ready. For the year, he completed 234 of 364 passes (64.3 percent) with 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions. A consummate team player, Herring even played wide receiver last year, starting four times while still taking reps as the No. 2 quarterback. The 2013 media guide even lists Herring’s position as QB/WR. “He competed hard for the (quarterback) position and when he got his chance he was really, really good,” Hauck said. “He’s a guy that shows what can happen when you keep working. He played very consistently and has been invaluable to his team.” Junior wide receiver Devante Davis, who reaped the benefits of having Herring under center, put it simply when asked about Herring. “Great guy, great teammate, great quarterback,” he said. “I try to make every play for him.” “He works harder than people even know,” Davis continued. “He never had a bad face (when not starting). He could tell you every play that happened in the game, and on the sideline, he’d be coaching you.” Herring split a pair of top awards at the UNLV postseason banquet, claiming Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors while also sharing the Bill "Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational Award. “I was so happy for him,” Davis said. “We knew what he could do.” While it was an important season for him individually, Herring prefers to think about it in the context of the team. “It’s definitely been a big year for us,” Herring said. “We wanted to leave a mark as outgoing seniors.” Drew Harris (drew@firstpitchpr.com) is the founder of First Pitch Public Relations, a sports-focused media relations company in Fort Worth. He has 15 years of experience in the sports communications industry with UW-Green Bay, TCU, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. His current clients include: ESPN Events, UT Arlington Athletics, The Ben Hogan Award and the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate.

UNT will be back to work in the next day or so in preparation for the Heart of Dallas Bowl. It will get down to crunch time here in the next couple of days. This has been brought up before, but its worth mentioning again that the extra time UNT has had to practice will be huge for the programs future. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/12/unt-headed-back-to-work-after-the-holidays.html/

Charting the improvement North Texas has made under Dan McCarney starts by charting the improvement on defense. In his three years as head coach, the unit assigned with stopping the ball has made remarkable progress. Opponents scored nearly 31 points per game in McCarney's first season. That number dropped about a field goal in Year 2. Through 12 games this season, North Texas has allowed just 18.1 point - the school's best showing in 11 years. That ranked first in Conference USA and ninth in the country. The Mean Green allowed just 14.0 points in league games. North Texas gave up 10 or fewer points in four games going into the Heart of Dallas Bowl presented by PlainsCapital Bank on New Year's Day against UNLV. "Defensively we were in the bottom 10 in the country when I took this job three years ago," McCarney said. "Understand the leadership of John Skladany we've made dramatic improvement. We had to and needed to, and we've done that." Skladany (pictured) is entering his second season as defensive coordinator, ending a run of three defensive coordinators in three years. That consistency in message, plus the return of UNT's top-six tacklers from last season, proved the catalyst to such dramatic improvement across the board. North Texas is first nationally in Red Zone Defense (60.6 percent), 27th in total defensive (355.5 yards per game), 18th in rushing defense (125.1), 29th in passing efficiency defense (117.4), 14th in first downs allowed (17.7) and 15th in turnover margin (plus-0.8). Senior linebacker/team captain Zach Orr and senior safety Marcus Trice have earned plenty of headlines this season, and with good reason. Orr, an all-Conference USA selection, led UNT with 113 total tackles (51 unassisted) to rank 28th in the country. Trice led the team with five interceptions and eight pass breakups, and his 83 tackles rank third. "Zach Orr is our leader," McCarney said. "Marcus Trice has had an all-conference year as a safety. We have a lot of guys. We play a lot of guys and rotate and try and stay fresh. We've made some tremendous improvement on defense." North Texas ranked third in the country with 32 forced turnovers, and nabbed at least one takeaway in every game. The Mean Green had at least one interception in the last seven games and 10 of the last 11. UNT was 6-1 in games when winning the turnover battled and 0-2 with losing it. Though they may not get the same recognition as some of their more decorated teammates, the job done in the trenches can't be overlooked. Senior defensive end Aaron Bellazin led the squad with 7.5 sacks. The defense took down opposing quarterbacks 34 times, which was 18th nationally and the most at North Texas since 2002. "The defensive line is the most overlooked unit on our team," Orr said. "They are a big reason we are having success defensively. They are getting pressure on the quarterback and holding up against the run." If North Texas is fortunate enough to hold up the Heart of Dallas Bowl trophy at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, count on more than a few hands coming from the defense. Art Garcia, the Assistant Athletics Director for Communications for UT Arlington, has spent nearly 20 years as a sportswriter. He's worked for NBA.com, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the San Antonio Express-News and the Bryan-College Station Eagle. Garcia has also written for FoxSportsSouthwest.com, ESPNDallas.com, CBSSports.com, in addition to other national websites and magazines.

Seems like back in the old days the teams that played in the Cotton Bowl would get to eat a nice steak dinner at Lowry's steak house. I know the Dickey teams also got meals at great restaurants through the New Orleans Bowl... Lots of great restaurants in Big D - wonder which one the Mean Green and UNLV get to enjoy through the Heart of Dallas festivities?

What happened in Vegas this year didn’t stay in Vegas. And that’s a good thing for head coach Bobby Hauck and his 2013 UNLV football team. When Hauck took over the UNLV football program four years ago, he knew the challenges facing him. “We knew it was going to be a big job to turn it around,” Hauck said. “There have been a lot of really, really fine coaches go through here and no one’s had much success.” The program had been to just three bowl games in school history, and hadn’t played one outside of Las Vegas since 1984. Furthermore, UNLV managed just three winning seasons in a quarter century, from 1987 to 2012, with the most recent coming in 2000. And despite having players such as Randall Cunningham, Ickey Woods and Keenan McCardell go on to successful NFL careers, UNLV was unable to turn Sin City into Win City on the gridiron. Instead, the university has been much more readily identified with its basketball program. The Runnin’ Rebels gained national fame under Jerry Tarkanian, winning the NCAA title in 1990 in the first of two straight Final Four appearances. That program continues to rank as one of the nation’s most storied in college hoops. “The four letters are recognizable, but not for the football program,” Hauck said. “We want to build it into a football school as well.” This year, Hauck and his crew have started to get noticed thanks to a 7-5 record that included two consecutive impressive wins to end the season. ESPN Events, which operates the Heart of Dallas Bowl presented by PlainsCapital Bank, was among those who saw the growth, and extended an invitation for the Rebels, over several other bowl eligible teams, to face another program on the rise: North Texas. “We’re excited. It’s a big deal for us,” Hauck said. “Our guys have had to overcome some things at UNLV in order to get to where they are. As you build a program, one of the major milestones is getting to a bowl game, and that’s what we’ve done. It’s been a fun season.” Hauck knows how to win. To take the UNLV job, he left a juggernaut Football Championship Subdivision program in Montana, where he had fashioned a Big Sky Conference all-time best 80-17 (.825) record from 2003-09. The Grizzlies also reached three FCS championship games (2004, 2008 and 2009) during his tenure. Now he is changing the culture at UNLV. This year, the Rebels won three road games, which was as many as the squad had won over the previous eight years combined. “He came in a tackled a tough task,” quarterback Caleb Herring said. “He took some lumps early, but he stuck to his plan. How we are turning it around is just a reflection of his leadership.” “We’re moving forward,” Hauck said. “We’re evolving as a program. We started from below ground, basically, and built a foundation. And now we are seeing the rewards for that.” And the first of what UNLV faithful hope will be many rewards to come will be this national television appearance on New Year’s Day 2014 in the historic Cotton Bowl. Drew Harris (drew@firstpitchpr.com) is the founder of First Pitch Public Relations, a sports-focused media relations company in Fort Worth. He has 15 years of experience in the sports communications industry with UW-Green Bay, TCU, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. His current clients include: ESPN Events, UT Arlington Athletics, The Ben Hogan Award and the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate. UNLV's INTERACTIVE ONLINE GUIDE - IMG College and UNLV Athletics launched the first-ever interactive, online bowl guide for Rebel fans as the team prepares for its New Year's Day appearance in the Heart of Dallas Bowl presented by PlainsCapital Bank. With head coach Bobby Hauck holding his final 2013 practice in the city of Las Vegas, the team has was released Monday for a holiday break before reconvening in Texas on Saturday. The 24-page guide, which includes click-on videos and game reviews, is available online at UNLV's Gameday Central or at following link: http://www.unlvdallasbowlguide.com/.

Idk if anyone noticed but we're the only bowl not being broadcast on ESPN ESPN 2 CBS ABC FOX all major channels, not everyone has ESPNU and even though I really like getting a NYD bowl it is kind of depressing and hurts the amount of views our school will get. I apologize but I always must look at the negative side instead of the positive side like every one on here, every second of the day.

http://unlv.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=1093&tid=195844671&mid=195844671&sid=915&style=2

The Heart of Dallas Bowl is perfect for those who like to get up and at ‘em while the rest of us sleep it off. The college postseason bowl game, put on by the nonprofit Heart of Dallas, matches up a Big Ten team with a school from Conference USA. Heart of Dallas aims to “leverage the power of sports and entertainment to fuel bold social change,” and has donated the proceeds of past games to organizations such as the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance. Read more: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2013/12/23/things-to-do-in-dallas-for-christmas-and-new-years/

The University of North Texas Mean Green is headed to its first bowl game in nine years! I am excited as both a Dentonite and an alum. The Mean Green will face the University of Nevada at Las Vegas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on New Years Day at the Cotton Bowl stadium. Back in the Sunbelt Conference days, UNT went to the New Orleans bowl four years in a row, from 2001-04. Since then, our football luck hasnt been so great. For head coach Dan McCarney and his team, this ball game has been their goal since he arrived on the scene three seasons ago to put Mean Green football back on the map. Rick Villarreal, director of UNT athletics, is charged up about the bowl game but not surprised. This is an exciting time, he said. A lot of people thought with this being our first year in Conference USA, that wed have to grow into it. But weve been getting ready for this for a long time. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20131221-kim-phillips-unt-bowl-game-puts-spotlight-on-denton.ece

This is from a Cory McCartney article on FOX sports... 24. UNLV remains perfect in bowl games, with QB Caleb Herring (25 TDs) sinking North Texas in the Heart of Dallas. The Rebels haven't been to a bowl since '00 and are in their fourth since 1984, but are 3-0 all-time. The complete article: http://msn.foxsports.com/south/story/35-bold-predictions-for-college-football-s-bowl-season-121913 He's definitely made some bold claims like Duke topping the Aggies (even though Manziel will go off) and Rice getting to 11 wins by beating MSU. I'm not reading too much into into this article, since he seems to be picking upsets for the sake of writing this article. Let's prove his ass wrong. GO MEAN GREEN!!!