FW*Telegram Meager Might Be Back as starter

OldTimer · September 7, 2006

UNT FOOTBALL NOTESMeager might be back as QB starter

By TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DANIEL MEAGERDENTON -- North Texas quarterback Daniel Meager was cleared to practice Tuesday and this week could win back the starting job for UNT's home opener against SMU.

Repeat: Meager could be the starter, but no guarantees.

Shelved the past two weeks with a concussion, Meager has some catching up to do. UNT coach Darrell Dickey said the competition remains open among Meager, Matt Phillips and Woody Wilson.

Neither starter Phillips nor backup Wilson was consistently effective Saturday against Texas in the Longhorns' 56-7 victory in Austin. Phillips missed some receivers, and Wilson had a tendency to run around more than stay in the pocket

Wilson led UNT on its only scoring drive.

This week, Dickey and his staff are imploring all three to take charge, show they can run the offense and try to separate themselves from UNT's quarterback pack.

"We've got two guys that have already played, and another guy coming back that started every game last year," said Dickey, who didn't rule out using two quarterbacks again.

"It's probably not the best of all situations, but somebody not stepping up and providing consistent play is not the best of all situations, either."

Waiting game

By the calendar, it's been some time since Jamario Thomas had a 100-yard rushing game for UNT -- his last one was on Nov. 13, 2004.

Fifteen games ago, Thomas had 291 yards in UNT's conference title-clinching victory against Idaho. He had 92 yards at the New Orleans Bowl that year and 83 against LSU last season.

After a bad hamstring slowed him in 2005, he's off to a slow start as he attempts to regain his old form. Texas held Thomas to 38 yards, but Darrell Dickey said his star running back remains patient and not discouraged.

"He knows it's going to take awhile," Dickey said. "With what we do, it takes our offensive line and tight ends awhile to come together. As they get better, he will become more productive."

Briefly

Center Kelvin Drake and tight ends Draylen Ross and Bryant Seidle were the only true freshmen to see action against Texas. Ross, from Diamond Hill-Jarvis, caught one pass despite only recently moving from defensive end.

Receiver Johnny Quinn will be fitted this week with a new soft cast for his broken left hand. Quinn, who had three catches against Texas, hopes to be returning kicks and punts against SMU.

Linebacker Phillip Graves (knee) remains out this week. His replacement, Germaine Dawson, had eight tackles and three pass breakups against Texas.

ONLINE: meangreensports.com

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SilverEagle · September 7, 2006

UNT FOOTBALL NOTESMeager might be back as QB starter
By TROY PHILLIPS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
DANIEL MEAGERDENTON -- North Texas quarterback Daniel Meager was cleared to practice Tuesday and this week could win back the starting job for UNT's home opener against SMU.
Repeat: Meager could be the starter, but no guarantees.
Shelved the past two weeks with a concussion, Meager has some catching up to do. UNT coach Darrell Dickey said the competition remains open among Meager, Matt Phillips and Woody Wilson.
Neither starter Phillips nor backup Wilson was consistently effective Saturday against Texas in the Longhorns' 56-7 victory in Austin. Phillips missed some receivers, and Wilson had a tendency to run around more than stay in the pocket
Wilson led UNT on its only scoring drive.
This week, Dickey and his staff are imploring all three to take charge, show they can run the offense and try to separate themselves from UNT's quarterback pack.
"We've got two guys that have already played, and another guy coming back that started every game last year," said Dickey, who didn't rule out using two quarterbacks again.
"It's probably not the best of all situations, but somebody not stepping up and providing consistent play is not the best of all situations, either."
Waiting game
By the calendar, it's been some time since Jamario Thomas had a 100-yard rushing game for UNT -- his last one was on Nov. 13, 2004.
Fifteen games ago, Thomas had 291 yards in UNT's conference title-clinching victory against Idaho. He had 92 yards at the New Orleans Bowl that year and 83 against LSU last season.
After a bad hamstring slowed him in 2005, he's off to a slow start as he attempts to regain his old form. Texas held Thomas to 38 yards, but Darrell Dickey said his star running back remains patient and not discouraged.
"He knows it's going to take awhile," Dickey said. "With what we do, it takes our offensive line and tight ends awhile to come together. As they get better, he will become more productive."
Briefly
Center Kelvin Drake and tight ends Draylen Ross and Bryant Seidle were the only true freshmen to see action against Texas. Ross, from Diamond Hill-Jarvis, caught one pass despite only recently moving from defensive end.
Receiver Johnny Quinn will be fitted this week with a new soft cast for his broken left hand. Quinn, who had three catches against Texas, hopes to be returning kicks and punts against SMU.
Linebacker Phillip Graves (knee) remains out this week. His replacement, Germaine Dawson, had eight tackles and three pass breakups against Texas.
ONLINE: meangreensports.com
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