Turnovers Lend NT A Victory

[MeanGreen61]

Turnovers lend NT a victory

Eight takeaways by the Mean Green key Sun Belt victory

Rian Johnson

Staff Writer

October 18, 2005

Photos by Jessica Marshall / The Beacon

North Texas linebacker Brandon Monroe (4) tackels Florida International’s Samuel Smith (87) in Saturday’s 13-10 Mean Green victory.

NT’s offense may not have been perfect in its 13-10 win over Florida International, but this week, it got the job done.

For the second consecutive game, the Mean Green (2-3, 2-1) defense has all but scored touchdowns for its offense, providing NT with a short field several times throughout the last two games.

Against Troy, the NT offense was not able to capitalize, but 10 days later, the offense managed to take advantage of some of the turnovers created by the defense.

All 13 points Saturday night came off of Golden Panthers (1-4, 0-2) turnovers.

The Mean Green’s lone touchdown came after NT linebacker Phillip Graves sacked the FIU quarterback resulting in a fumble, giving the Mean Green the ball at the Golden Panthers 23-yard line.

“We gave our offense some good field position and they made a couple of key plays at key times that enabled us to win,” Graves said. “We are starting to get to where we can rely on one another more … we don’t have to worry about anything else except for our specific alignment, assignment, and technique. If you can do that stuff without having to think about it you can play so much better and faster.”

Graves’ forced fumble was one of eight turnovers created by the Mean Green defense, six of which resulted in the Mean Green starting drives in Golden Panthers territory.

NT coach Darrell Dickey said the key to defensive success for the Mean Green was the unit’s ability to cut down on assignment errors.

“Saturday, we did not have as many busted assignments,” Dickey said. “We played with great effort and great intensity and when you do that and you’re in the right place at the right time, you are going to be able to create turnovers.”

In addition to capitalizing on turnovers, the Mean Green offense showed another important feature Saturday night, the ability to play from behind.

NT was down 10-0 in the second quarter, but managed to rally 13 unanswered points.

Photos by Jessica Marshall / The Beacon

NT defenders swarm FIU’s Robert Brown

We showed a lot of character and a lot of heart Saturday,” Dickey said. “To fall behind 10-0, then fight, scratch and claw to get back into the game, then make some plays to win it just shows the character of our team.”

Dickey said he was pleased with the team going on the road, coming from behind and getting the win, but said the Mean Green still has some improving to do.

“We are still not playing the way we think we can play when all of our guys develop, but to go on the road against a team that it was their first home game in the Sun Belt conference and they were ready to play,” Dickey said.

The win moves the Mean Green to .500 in Sun Belt play.

Moreover, Troy’s loss to Louisiana-Monroe Saturday has the Mean Green controlling its own destiny as it vies for another Sun Belt championship, but Dickey said the Mean Green does not get into the conference standings.

“I don’t think you can really focus on conference standings other than to realize that you are still in it,” Dickey said. “We have got to take these games one at a time.”

The Mean Green’s next game is in Ruston, La. against Louisiana Tech. Game time is set for 3 pm. Saturday.

[EagleD]

We played with great effort and great intensity

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't DD say in his coaches show that he was dissapointed in the teams lack of intensity at the start of the game. Maybe he referrenced the previous week's game.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Some of the comments he makes, I wonder if he really thinks about what he is saying. To say that they didn't have many "busted" plays......maybe not, but I would say something busted in that offense to have 8 TO's and only 13 points.