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Football season will bring another promotion and partnership with DCTA, UNT and the Denton Convention and Visitor Bureau. The transit agency will offer a game-day shuttle to Apogee Stadium. “The whole point is to make game day an experience,” Brevard said. The shuttle will pick up riders at the Euline Brock Downtown Denton Transit Center and take them to the stadium with stops in between at shopping and restaurant areas. The first of six UNT home games is against Southern Methodist University. DCTA staff are looking at ways to work with Dallas Area Rapid Transit on promotions and getting SMU fans to the game to help foster the rivalry. “UNT has been such a great partner for us over the years. We’re always trying to find ways to improve service, which improves the relationship with UNT,” said DCTA board President Charles Emery. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20140627-dcta-pursues-projects.ece

North Texas: The Mean Green’s winning foes in 2014 are Texas (8-5), Rice (10-4) and UTSA (7-5). What’s left is FCS Nicholls State and eight opponents that combined for a 26-70 (27%) record last season. Read more: http://www.fbschedules.com/2014/06/college-football-teams-playing-fewest-winning-opponents-2014/

Its a landmark day in the calendar year for UNT football. Off-season workouts are underway. Strength coach Frank Wintrich will have UNTs players for the next several weeks, when they will run, lift and prepare for the upcoming season. Im going to write about it for tomorrows paper. - See more at: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/06/and-so-it-begins-off-season-football-program-starts-today.html/#sthash.VN3SRidx.dpuf

QB - Connor Means (6-4, 210) Deer Park, Texas (Deer Park HS) [July 24, 2013] WR - Fonzale Davis (5-11, 185) Dallas, Texas (South Oak Cliff HS) [July 25, 2013] K - Trevor Moore (5-11, 175) Edmond, Oklahoma (Edmond North HS) [July 28, 2013] LB - Brandon Garner (5-11, 200) Mansfield, Texas (Timberview HS) [July 31, 2013] DB - Kishawn McClain (5-11, 193) Rosenberg, Texas (Rosenberg Terry HS) [August 1, 2013] LB - Jalen Montgomery (5-11, 220) Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite HS) [August 1, 2013] OL - Christopher Miles (6-4, 291) Flower Mound, Texas (Flower Mound HS) [August 5, 2013] DB - Andrew Jones (6-1, 175) Mesquite, Texas (North Mesquite HS) [september 13, 2013] WR - Jalen Adams (5-10, 161) Moore, Oklahoma (Southmore HS) [November 14, 2013] WR - Terian "Tee" Goree (6-3, 170) Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS) [November 26, 2013] WR - Okeeron Rutherford, (6-5, 185) Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS) [November 26, 2013] RB - Willy Ivery, (5-9, 180) Sulphur Springs, Texas (Sulphur Springs HS) [November 29, 2013] DE - Tillman Johnson, (6-1, 243) Austin, Texas (McNeil HS) [January 19, 2014] DT - T.J. Tauaalo, (6-2, 290) Keller, Texas (Central HS) [January 22, 2014] QB - Caleb Chumley, (6-6, 240) Longview, Texas (Pine Tree HS) [January 27, 2014] RB - Jeffery Wilson, (6-1, 190) Elkhart, Texas (Elkhart HS) [February 2, 2014] OL - Aaron Fortenberry (6-4, 280) Era, Texas (Era HS)

Conference USA announced its preliminary television schedule today. The good news for UNT is that the Mean Green will be on television a ton coming up this season. Here’s the schedule: Saturday, Aug. 30 — UNT at Texas, 7 p.m., Longhorn Network Saturday Sept. 6 — SMU at UNT, 11 a.m., Fox Sports Net Thursday Sept. 11 — Louisiana Tech at UNT, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network Saturday Oct. 25 — North Texas at Rice, TBA, FOX Sports 1 or FSN Saturday, Nov. 8 — Florida Atlantic at UNT, 6 p.m., Fox College Sports Saturday, Nov. 15 — North Texas at UTEP, TBA, FOX Sports 1 or FSN Saturday, Nov. 29 — North Texas at UTSA, TBA, FOX Sports 1 or FSN read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/05/unt-will-be-on-tv-a-ton-this-year-sked-and-thoughts.html/

With the graduation losses we had this past season, you really need some of the newer players to show up and make an impact this year. I have included their bio links in case you would like to review their size stats etc from the official website. Here's a list of some of the guys who I think need to step it up the most: Jarrian Roberts - Roberts is a RS Soph. He was one of the higher profile Mac recruits who had offers and interest late from schools like Tulsa and Iowa State. He plays a position (Defensive End) where UNT needs impact players since they graduated both Sarge McCoy and Aaron Bellazin. Roberts had some nice moments last season, including a fumble return for a touchdown. UNT needs him to become more of an every down player that they can rely on against the run and the pass this season. Mustafa Haboul - An undersized RS Soph at 6-0 260, Haboul is the classic overachiever who has paid his dues and should get a chance to show what he can do this year. UNT needs quality depth at the defensive tackle position, perhaps more than any other position on the field. I see this as year where Haboul can step up and make a place for himself or become more of a role player. Austin Orr - Orr is listed as a junior this season and should be the starter at the inside DT technique against Texas. He has good size at 6-4, 285 and has played a fair amount of football at UNT. Orr participated in "The Stand" against Rice last season and has show that he can be a solid run stopper when healthy. This is a BIG year for him as Skladany is putting a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. UNT does not have a a lot of proven depth at this position and so they really need a guy like Orr to step in and immediately produce. Orr will face a VERY physical and talented UT line in the opener. If he can hang it will be a very good sign for this defense. Dutton Watson - Watson is listed behind Orr at the inside defensive tackle position coming out of Spring. Watson is a RS sophomore and is listed at 6-3, 273. Skladany will play a rotation in the front four so it should provide Watson with ample time to show what he can do this season. UNT does not want to drop a true freshman TJ Tauaalo into the mix right away, but if Watson struggles early they might have to. A.J. Smith - Smith transferred in from Northeastern Oklahoma and participated in Spring Training. He is a good athlete with speed. He did not crack the post Spring two-deep which could say more about the depth UNT has at that position than his ability as a player. You don't sign Juco's to sit the bench so this first season will be a big one for Smith to show what he is capable of. LaJaylin Smith - Smith is a junior now and it's time for him to produce. He was heralded coming out of high school as a big playmaker who had SEC program interest. It just hasn't played out for him on the field yet. This is a big season for him to try and make a name for himself even if only on special teams. Anthony Wallace - Wallace the Oregon transfer really struggled in the Spring. Expectations were extremely high for this former 4-star player but he just wasn't making plays. He will have a chance to redeem himself in the Fall camp but he will have to fend off Freddy Scott and newcomer Blake Bean whose stock has risen significantly. This is a guy who REALLY needs to make the most of his offseason. Michael Banogu - listed as the backup offensive tackle behind Cyril Lemon coming out of the Spring. The guy looks the part at 6-5, 300 and lean but as a junior he needs to come on strong this season as we graduate some of the best linemen this program has seen in Lemon and Y'Barbo. UNT was extremely fortunate with injuries last season and Banagu could play a big role from a depth perspective if anyone goes down. Ryan Rentfro - Rentfro had a nice spring and appears to be the guy behind Antonio Johnson who did not participate through much of the Spring. As a RS sophomore, UNT really needs Rentfro to produce for them this season and solidify things for 2015. If he can, then with Sam Rice becoming eligible in 2015, the graduation losses of Y'Barbo and Johnson don't sting nearly as much. Micah Thompson - Thompson had a solid Spring and is listed at multiple positions as the primary backup. He appears to be the UNT O-Line's 6th man this year and as a junior has a good chance to become a key starter in 2015. McCarney wants an 7-8 man rotation on the offensive line and Thompson is a key piece of being able to do that. He has patiently waited for his chance to shine and the time is now. At 6-4, 316 he has the size you like. Mark Lewis - Lewis is one of the lone Louisiana guys to stay in the mix at his position. He was overshadowed by the electric Spring performance of Erick Evans but still held his own. At 5-10, 220 he's a bigger more power back option and could be key in short yardage situations. This could be a big year for him especially with UNT losing Brandon Byrd as he might be the best candidate to fill Byrd's shoes. Chris Loving - Loving has drawn the ire of Coach McCarney which tells me that the kid must have some potential or Mac wouldn't be pointing him out so much. Loving arrived as a juco transfer and sat out a season. Then he injured his wrist and could not participate in this past Spring. There is no question that at 6-4, 270 he is an outstanding athlete and could be a terrific blocking tight end. Will he? Stay tuned. Roderick Lancaster - listed as a redshirt sophomore, Lancaster has struggled with injuries since before he stepped on UNT's campus. UNT needs a big speed guy to replace Darnell Smith. Lancaster - a redshirt sophomore - fits this mold but he needs to make his move quickly or he will be on the outside looking in. John Chelf - Chelf is listed as a senior and was able to crack to 2-deep coming out of Spring. Mac has really liked and promoted this kid for his work ethic and ability. Since he will be a one and done guy, this season is for all the marbles. GMG!

Under normal circumstances, I don’t put a lot of stock in team chemistry. Teams that have talent and win a lot of games tend to have players who like each other and bond for obvious reasons. It all goes back to talent in college athletics and always will. With that being said, the 2014 season appears to be one of those rare instances where chemistry could matter more than it usually does for several reasons. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/

UNT made the switch on its coaching staff official today, announcing that Mike Nelson has ridden off into the sunset and retirement on his motorcycle and will be replaced by Kevin Patrick, a former South Florida assistant coach. We have talked about both moves extensively, but have yet to delve into the departure of one of the more interesting figures in recent UNT history in terms of assistant coaches. Nelson was around for five seasons, which is a pretty long time in the world of college athletics. I don’t think we ever exchanged more than a passing hello in all that time. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/01/unt-makes-dl-coach-switch-official-now-for-some-thoughts.html/

Got a tip on this player from one of our members...he was seen on the sidelines with the Mean Green team. He's a defensive linemen that was a senior at Keller Central in 2006. He was an 1st team 5-5A All District defensive tackle. He was also on the 5A academic all state team. It sounds like he may have been in the service and returned (ie Sarge) but I don't know that for a fact. If anyone has any other information please feel free to share. GMG

He played in the UM downfall loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and the legendary victories over Florida State, as well as Penn State. His career spanned most of Miami's NCAA record 58-game home winning streak. "A lot of big games against a lot of great teams," Patrick said. So it's only natural that Patrick will be going ballistic on the sidelines when he looks across the field and sees the 2011 Hurricanes, that is, the 5-5 Hurricanes. Not his Hurricanes. "All I'm going to say," said USF linebacker Sam Barrington, "is that I'm not going to let him go to war by himself." All that matters to Patrick is how the USF defensive tackles like Grissom, Keith McCaskill and freshman Elkino Watson get after UM quarterback Jacory Harris and stuff running back Lamar Miller. "He tells me he wishes he could play, but he lives his life through us right now," Grissom said. Patrick has been driving home the same intensity to the defensive tackles he's coaching, that served him and his former defensive linemates like Rusty Meaderis and Darren Krein, back when Patrick was a part of two national championship teams at Miami. "That's what I want our D-linemen to play like, with a passion and a little bit of an attitude," Patrick said. "Not that it was from there (Miami) or anywhere else. That's who I am and that's what I'm bringing to this game. That's what I bring to this job every day." "He says he's going to contain himself as we get close to Miami," Grissom said. "He said, 'On game day, y'all better bring it.' " Read more: http://tombalog.blogs.heraldtribune.com/10234/once-a-cane-usf-coach-patrick-now-a-bull/

read more: http://www.shaggybevo.com/board/showthread.php/141055-Wait-so-Texas-Football-is-gonna-be-fun-again

Former Iowa State football coach Dan McCarney led North Texas to its first bowl win in more than a decade (beating UNLV 36-14 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl). And according to ESPN blogger Richard Durrett, fans weren’t quite sure how to react. “Some of them contemplated rushing the field and in the end, maybe 500 of them decided to join the team in celebration at the 50-yard line, doing so in the most calm and orderly "storming" of a field you'll ever see.” Read more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20140106/SPORTS/301060083/0/NEWS01/?odyssey=nav|head

I show 100 total players when you account for the seniors graduating and the commits we have in the fold now. Of course, not everyone on the roster is on scholarship. Taking that into account, this at least gives you an idea of what our numbers are by position. QB (5) - Adding another Juco/transfer QB seems to be a head scratcher with three returning and a scholarship guy on the way in January. If anything it appears to be an insurance policy in case someone doesn't work out. 12 Dajon Williams QB 6-3 199 FR Pflugerville, TX Connally HS 6 Jordan Gill QB 6-0 184 RS FR Whitesboro, TX Whitesboro HS 16 Brock Berglund QB 6-4 213 SO Highlands Ranch, CO Kansas 5 Andrew McNulty QB 6-1 210 SO Iowa City, IA Iowa City HS COMMIT QB - Connor Means (6-4, 210) Deer Park, Texas (Deer Park HS) [July 24, 2013] RB (6) - Look pretty solid here although it wouldn't surprise me to see them offer a stud if there is one available that just jumps out at you. Could use a big body guy but this is not a priority position from a recruiting perspective in my mind. 18 Erick Evans RB 5-9 190 FR Dallas, TX Seagoville HS 8 Mark Lewis RB 5-10 210 RS FR Livonia, LA Livonia HS 20 Rex Rollins RB 6-1 197 RS FR Tyler, TX Chapel Hill HS 22 Antoinne Jimmerson RB 5-9 222 SO Dallas, TX DeSoto HS 2 Reggie Pegram RB 5-9 221 JR Terrell, TX Purdue 21 Jermaine Wilhite RB 5-8 200 JR Denton, TX Guyer HS WR (14) - 5 commits makes this the top recruited position from a numbers perspective. Need more size and they addressed that with Goree and Rutherford. Goree is the bell cow of this class. If they can hold on to him, it could dramatically improve this position and help ease the loss of Smith. Davis Ivery and Adams help fill the gap left by Chancellor. 4 Darvin Kidsy WR 6-0 174 FR Missouri City, TX Elkins HS 1 Turner Smiley WR 6-0 187 FR Frisco, TX Wakeland HS 85 Roderick Lancaster WR 6-2 205 RS FR Dallas, TX Life School of Oak Cliff 9 Carlos Harris WR 5-8 172 SO Frisco, TX Frisco HS 31 John Chelf WR 5-11 178 JR Iowa City, IA Iowa 34 Willie Hubbard WR 5-10 168 JR Euless, TX Northeastern Okla. State 46 Brandon Johnson WR 6-0 208 JR Dallas, TX DeSoto HS 10 Derrick Teegarden WR 6-0 204 JR Odessa, TX Odessa HS 11 Darius Terrell WR 6-3 212 JR DeSoto, TX Texas COMMIT WR - Fonzale Davis (5-11, 185) Dallas, Texas (South Oak Cliff HS) [July 25, 2013] COMMIT WR - Jalen Adams (5-10, 161) Moore, Oklahoma (Southmore HS) [November 14, 2013] COMMIT WR - Terian "Tee" Goree (6-3, 170) Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS) [November 26, 2013] COMMIT WR - O'Keeron Rutherford, (6-5, 185) Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS) [November 26, 2013] COMMIT WR - Willy Ivery, (5-9, 180) Sulphur Springs, Texas (Sulphur Springs HS) [November 29, 2013] TE (7) - If Loving is for real, we may be ok here, but if you find an athletic 6-4/5 guy with speed and size it's hard to pass up because they can play so many positions. If Rheinhardt steps in and contributes and if Marcus Smith stays healthy this could be one of the stronger positions on the team. 48 Wylie Reinhardt TE 6-4 275 FR Saginaw, TX Saginaw HS 87 Cooper Jones TE 6-4 243 SO Lone Oak, TX Lone Oak HS 98 Jarrod Lynn TE 6-0 233 SO Grapevine, TX Grapevine HS 18 Marcus Smith TE 6-4 255 SO San Antonio, TX Warren HS 96 Cade Carter TE 6-3 230 JR Lucas, TX Trinity Valley CC 14 Chris Loving TE 6-4 272 JR Klein, TX Blinn CC 88 Tanner Smith TE 6-3 250 JR Fort Worth, TX Nolan Catholic HS OL (16) - Without question, this is the strength of the team next year although you need to identify some guys that can fill the shoes of Johnson YBarbo and Lemon who graduate after next season. 69 Trevor Melugin OL 6-2 299 FR Prosper, TX Prosper HS 59 Cody Nelson OL 6-5 277 FR Keller, TX Keller HS 76 Harrison Sorge OL 6-5 304 FR Wichita Falls, TX Rider HS 79 Dominick Walker OL 6-5 278 FR Sugar Land, TX Austin HS 50 Kaydon Kirby OL 6-3 313 RS FR Flower Mound, TX Flower Mound HS 72 Ryan Rentfro OL 6-4 298 RS FR Flower Mound, TX Marcus HS 78 Connor Trussell OL 6-5 287 RS FR Arlington, TX Martin HS 66 Michael Banogu OL 6-5 292 SO McKinney, TX Prosper HS 77 Travis Ellard OL 6-3 290 SO Deer Park, TX Deer Park HS 65 Micah Thompson OL 6-4 316 SO Jones, OK Jones HS 74 Cam Feldt OL 6-5 299 JR Pilot Point, TX Arkansas 71 Antonio Johnson OL 6-5 294 JR Diboll, TX Diboll HS 62 Cyril Lemon OL 6-3 304 JR Marble Falls, TX Marble Falls HS 53 Shawn McKinney OL 6-4 365 JR Hubbard, TX Trinity Valley CC 57 Mason Y'Barbo OL 6-2 307 JR Sulphur Springs, TX Sulphur Springs HS COMMIT OL - Christopher Miles (6-4, 291) Flower Mound, Texas (Flower Mound HS) [August 5, 2013] DB's (21) - Another area of strength and you hope the 3 commits can help ease the loss of Lee and Jones after next season. 16 Chad Davis DB 5-10 180 FR Richmond, TX Bush HS 19 John Schilleci DB 6-0 193 FR Denton, TX Guyer HS 25 Andrew Tucker DB 6-0 199 FR Tyler, TX Chapel Hill HS 32 Jamarcus Jarvis DB 5-10 212 RS FR Gonzales, LA East Ascension HS 29 Brock Squier DB 5-9 195 RS FR Sanger, TX Sanger HS 20 Brandon Allen DB 6-0 183 SO Arlington, TX Summit HS 5 David Busby DB 5-11 188 SO Coppell, TX Coppell HS 31 Kenny Buyers DB 5-11 177 SO Hurst, TX L.D. Bell HS 23 Zac Whitfield DB 5-9 190 SO Sherman, TX Sherman HS 25 Peter Ashton DB 6-1 206 JR Keller, TX Oregon State 38 Brendan Campbell DB 6-2 201 JR Killeen, TX Harker Heights HS 1 Zed Evans DB 5-11 198 JR Dallas, TX Louisville 13 James Jones DB 5-11 173 JR Houston, TX Kilgore JC 27 Lairamie Lee DB 5-10 195 JR Tyler, TX Chapel Hill HS 15 Mike Marshall DB 6-0 207 JR Grand Prairie, TX South Grand Prairie HS 41 Ricky Pratt DB 5-7 170 JR Grand Prairie, TX Cisco JC 39 Sheldon Wade DB 5-11 181 JR Knoxville, TN Austin Peay 21 Freddie Warner DB 5-10 189 JR Dallas, TX Pinkston HS COMMIT DB - Kishawn McClain (5-11, 193) Rosenberg, Texas (Rosenberg Terry HS) [August 1, 2013] COMMIT DB - Andrew Jones (6-1, 175) Mesquite, Texas (North Mesquite HS) [september 13, 2013] COMMIT DB - Garrett Davis (6-1, 175) Red Oak, Texas (Red Oak HS) [November 10, 2013] Defensive Ends (7) - This area concerns me losing both Bellazin and Sarge, if you could land a quality juco you probably need to consider it. I think we are ok speed rushing wise but need another every down type of guy that has some size. 99 Andy Flusche DE 6-3 230 FR Muenster, TX Muenster HS 56 Malik Dilonga DE 6-4 251 RS FR Cedar Hill, TX Trinity Christian School 30 Jarrian Roberts DE 6-2 238 RS FR Clarksville, TX Clarksville HS 42 Chad Polk DE 6-0 223 SO Dallas, TX Woodrow Wilson HS 84 Quenton Brown DE 6-4 235 JR Tucker, GA Eastern Arizona 49 Daryl Mason DE 6-3 253 JR Garland, TX Rowlett HS COMMIT - Johnavhon Grahm (6-1, 250) DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS) [May 23, 2013] Defensive Tackles (7) - As always, the biggest need area on the squad. I think Linc can help fill the shoes of losing Boutwell at the tackle but big question mark in terms of replacing Abbe. Wallace is who you hope can do it but you need some insurance in case he isn't quite ready. Orr is capable but injury prone. You would like to redshirt Jackson if possible but playing at DeSoto will have him prepared. I might even consider signing two more here (1 juco and 1 HS) and moving Moore to defensive end. NEED MORE HEIGHT AND SIZE! 63 Sid Moore DL 6-1 252 FR Van, TX Van HS 94 Mustafa Haboul DT 6-0 253 RS FR Arlington, TX Martin HS 70 Sir Calvin Wallace DT 6-2 293 RS FR Tyler, TX Chapel Hill HS 98 Dutton Watson DT 6-3 273 RS FR Midland, TX Midland HS 91 Austin Orr DT 6-4 272 SO Seabrook, TX Clear Lake HS 95 Alexander Lincoln DT 6-2 267 JR Cibolo, TX Steele HS Commit DT - Shaquel Jackson (6-1, 285) DeSoto, Texas (Desoto HS) [May 27, 2013] LB's (12) -- We lose a lot of talent with Orr and Wright but If Wallace is the real deal and Marshall could bring his speed to replace Wright we may be ok. I'm not as worried about the linebacker position because Akunne is solid and Scott and Ellis have shown they can play. 52 Sed Ellis LB 6-3 189 FR Paris, TX Paris HS 3 Calvin Minor LB 6-3 207 FR Lewisville, TX Lewisville HS 32 Fred Scott LB 5-11 235 FR Kennedale, TX Kennedale HS 36 Brandon Davis LB 6-0 215 SO DeSoto, TX Duncanville HS 14 Jamal Marshall LB 6-3 210 SO Missouri City, TX Fort Bend Elkins HS 92 LaJaylin Smith LB 6-0 221 SO LaPlace, LA St. Charles Catholic HS 7 Derek Akunne LB 6-0 244 JR Garland, TX North Garland HS 45 Tarik Jefferson LB 6-0 214 JR Mesquite, TX Lon Morris HS 50 Robert Lewis LB 6-0 220 JR Mesquite, TX Mesquite HS TRANSFER LB Anthony Wallace (6-0, 235) Dallas, Texas (Oregon/Skyline HS) [May 29, 2013] COMMIT LB - Brandon Garner (5-11, 200) Mansfield, Texas (Timberview HS) [July 31, 2013] COMMIT LB - Jalen Montgomery (5-11, 220) Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite HS) [August 1, 2013] ST (6) - Blake Macek was phenomenal for a walk-on and hopefully Moore can help us replace kickoff guy Olen. Moore should make us better right away. 40 Blake Macek P 5-9 186 RS FR Sulphur Springs, TX Sulphur Springs HS 68 Eric Keena P 6-2 155 SO Keller, TX Sunrise Mountain HS 26 Zach Paul PK 5-9 185 SO Frisco, TX Wakeland HS 58 Tony Johnson DS 6-1 217 RS FR Fort Worth, TX South Grand Prairie HS 54 Blake Dunham DS 6-1 223 JR Argyle, TX Argyle HS COMMIT K - Trevor Moore (5-11, 175) Edmond, Oklahoma (Edmond North HS) [July 28, 2013]