North Texas Team Notes

slugg · November 16, 2012

North Texas Team Notes – USATODAY.com

2 days ago ... It's an uphill battle for the Mean Green against ULM's talented skill players ...

defensive backs who can play winning football," McCarney said.

usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/sunbelt/northtexas/notes/50085678/1

INSIDE SLANT

Mean Green face uphill battle

North Texas must win out to become bowl eligible. At 4-6, 3-3 in Sun Belt play, the Mean Green travel to Louisiana-Monroe this weekend.

It will be tough for UNT regardless of who is playing quarterback for the Warhawks. Starter Kolton Browning has been injured for the last two weeks, but backup Cody Wells has been impressive as well.

It's an uphill battle for the Mean Green against ULM's talented skill players because head coach Dan McCarney feels like the UNT secondary isn't deep enough to hang with the Warhawks.

"We don't have enough defensive backs who can play winning football," McCarney said. "Otherwise you'd see us in more nickel or more dime. That's not a scouting report for Monroe. They can watch tape. That's a fact of life. That's one of the many frustrations we're working through this season."

ULM is 6-4, but beat Arkansas earlier this season and took Auburn to overtime. But the Warhawks have lost two straight games to Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State.

"Monroe, as everyone's aware of, is vastly improved," McCarney said. "They're really playing with great confidence even though they've had a couple of setbacks the last couple of weeks. That doesn't change my evaluation of them when I watch them on tape."

UNT's last two games are on the road. McCarney expressed disappointment that UNT had just five home games this year at Apogee Stadium and vowed that it wouldn't happen again.

"Seven and four (UNT's record at home in the last two years), that's a step in the right direction," McCarney said. "A big, strong, major step, but you should have at least a minimum of six home games and that will always happen in the future."

NOTES, QUOTES

--North Texas finished with its second straight winning season at home for the first time since 2003 and 2004. The Mean Green is 7-4 the last two seasons at Apogee Stadium. At home North Texas only allowed 19.5 points per game.

--The Mean Green had only 12 first downs against South Alabama but still found a way to win. It was the fewest first downs in a win for the Mean Green since 2005. Not since having only 11 first downs in a 13-10 win at FIU in 2005 has North Texas had 12 first downs or fewer and won.a game this season, the fewest points allowed at home since the 2003 season.

--Linebacker Zach Orr is third in the Sun Belt Conference in tackles per game at 9.4 and 34th in the nation. With six more tackles, Orr will top the 100 tackle mark for the first time in his career.

SERIES HISTORY: ULM leads North Texas 15-13 (last meeting, 2011, UNT won 38-21)

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: UNT has been hot and cold, but hot when the running backs have been able to get untracked. If the run game gets going, quarterback Derek Thompson is more efficient.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: North Texas is allowing just 26.7 points per game, which is second-best in the Sun Belt. The Mean Green will get a test, though, with ULM's top-scoring offense. UNT's linebackers, led by Zach Orr and Derek Akunne, have spearheaded UNT's defensive success.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "One (game ball) went to (running back) Brandin Byrd, who was outstanding. He had the best game since he's been here." -- UNT head coach Dan McCarney.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

THIS WEEK'S GAME: North Texas at UL-Monroe, Nov. 17 -- It's a tough game for UNT, which must win out to reach 6-6 and be bowl eligible. However, North Texas seems to have ULM's number as of late and had a convincing win over the Mean Green last year.

KEYS TO THE GAME: UNT must slow down ULM's offense, as quarterback Kolton Browning may return for ULM after an injury. If he's back, UNT must apply pressure to him early and often.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DE K.C. Obi -- Obi has 10 tackles for loss, which ranks eighth best in school history. Obi has been a strong force on the defensive line.

RB Jeremy Brown -- Brown, UNT's third-string back, could see more carries if Antoinne Jimmerson is sidelined.

QB Derek Thompson -- Thompson threw for only 106 yards on 12 of 28 passing against South Alabama. Regardless if UNT is running the ball or not, he has to be more productive if UNT wants to win at ULM.

ROSTER REPORT

--RB Antoinne Jimmerson is doubtful for the ULM game because of a shoulder injury.

--DL Ryan Boutwell is questionable with a knee injury.

--WR Brelan Chancellor is out for the season with a collarbone injury.

---------------------------------------------------------------

TWO TO GO FELLAS!!! It would be a tremendous feat to make bowl. Go guys, Lets get ULM!!!!

Edited November 16, 2012 by slugg