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North Texas Eagles (2000: 3-8) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programWhen coach Darrell Dickey took over the North Texas football program in 1998, he brought in a game plan for success that included old-fashioned football values and a recruiting policy to sign the best players in Texas.With the 2001 season begins, Dickey hopes his old-school tactics and ability to communicate with players pays dividends in the victory column. “There is a lot of excitement among our players right now,’’ Dickey said. “We were just three minutes away from winning six games last year. That’s not to say that we should have won those games, but we were nearly able to do that with a very young football team. They have to understand that the key to our season is how much improvement they make from spring practice until two-a-days in August.’’ In 1998, Dickey and UNT finished in second place in the Big West Conference, the best finish in the school’s five years in the league. In 1999, the Mean Green beat two teams that went to bowl games -- Texas Tech and Boise State. Last year, as Dickey said, the Mean Green came within a few minutes of six victories -- losing in the fourth quarter to Utah State, Idaho and Texas Tech. This season North Texas moves into the new Sun Belt Conference. Dickey’s three recruiting classes have been dominated by players from Texas high schools. His first in 1999 produced nine players who will enter August as projected starters in just their third seasons. The 2000 class included seven players who are either slated to be starters or made starts last year as freshmen. Some of the players in the 2001 class could also make an impact this fall. “The biggest strength that we have is that for the first time since I’ve been here we have an experienced player at each position,’’ Dickey said. “In past years we’ve had to deal with a lot of on-the-job training. We need to continue to upgrade our ability and depth at each position. People are having to earn their playing time rather than getting it by default.’’
OffenseSophomore Scott Hall (6-1, 211) started the last nine games at quarterback last year and became the first freshman to lead UNT in total offense since 1987. He established himself as a quarterback who could run and pass equally in Dickey’s offense, which is an option-oriented, I-formation set.North Texas must replace the all-time leading rusher in school history in Ja’Quay Wilburn, who led UNT in rushing the last four seasons and finished with over 3,000 career yards. Michael Hickmon rushed for 575 yards last year, scored three touchdowns and averaged 4.2 yards per carry the last two years but decided before the start of spring practice he didn’t want to play football any more. In the spring game, senior Dustin Dean (5-10, 221) ran for a game-high 61 yards on 20 carries. UNT also lost its top two receivers in Byron Curtis and LaDarrin McLane, who combined for 34 catches and 515 yards last year. Dickey brought in a junior college standout in Michael Thrash (6-2, 167), who had 32 receptions for 585 yards and four touchdowns last year at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Four starters return in the offensive line, led by sophomore right guard Nick Zuniga (6-3, 319), who earned second-team All-Big West Conference honors last year. Kicker senior Jason Ball (5-7, 160) played most of last season with a strained hamstring, but still made 6-of-10 field goals, including a career-best 52-yarder.
Defense and special teamsUnlike the 2000 season, most of the defensive line returns this year. Sophomore Brandon Kennedy (5-10, 325) earned second-team All-Big West honors as a freshman last year. He made 33 tackles, 10 for losses and one quarterback sack. He also had nine quarterback hurries and forced two fumbles.Joining Kennedy as a returning starter is senior end Ron Paris (6-3, 228) and junior tackle Chris McIver (6-1, 254). McIver was second-team All-Big West last year with 19 tackles. Paris led the defensive line with 43 tackles. The leader of the linebackers will be senior Brad Kassell (6-3, 241), who earned unanimous first team All-Big West honors last year after making 115 tackles. He had nine tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks, intercepted four passes and recovered four fumbles. Junior Don McGee (5-11, 190) returns at cornerback. He tied Kassell for the Big West lead in interceptions with four last year. He also had 35 tackles and two blocked kicks, including one he returned for a touchdown. Sophomore Ty Jackson (5-7, 171) averaged 10.7 yards per return last year on punts, which led the Big West. However, North Texas had four punts blocked, two field goals blocked and averaged just over 16 yards per kickoff return.
Bottom lineDickey appears to have the Mean Green on a track for success in the future, but the best chance for six wins came last year. It will be difficult for the Mean Green to get over the .500 mark this season.UNT will play host to five games, four of those in Denton and one at Texas Stadium. The Mean Green will play six league games in the inaugural season of the Sun Belt Conference, and five non-conference games -- including a game against defending national champion Oklahoma -- and three others against teams that played in bowl games last season. It will be a tough road for the Mean Green. Even though six starters return on offense and defense, there are simply too many voids to fill with young, inexperienced players for a run at the Sun Belt championship. Maybe in 2002. |
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