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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Darrell Dickey (9th season, 39-55) 2005 record: 2-9 Sun Belt finish: 2-5 (t-7th) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 62nd (142.6 ypg) Passing: 112th (129.3 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 114th (220.9 ypg) Passing: 54th (215.7 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 at Texas Sept. 9 SMU Sept. 16 at Tulsa Sept. 23 at Akron Sept. 30 Middle Tennessee Oct. 7 FIU Oct. 21 at Arkansas State Oct. 28 at Troy Nov. 4 Louisiana Tech Nov. 11 at UL Lafayette Nov. 18 Florida Atlantic Nov. 25 at UL Monroe Depth Chart: Offense 9 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 81 Johnny Quinn Sr. 31 Joel Nwigwe Sr. WR 3 Zach Muzzy Sr. 49 Brandon Jackson Jr. LT 60 Jeremy Brown Jr. 69 Robert Peachey Fr. LG 74 Adam Venegas Jr. 57 Tyler Bailey Fr. C 67 Chad Rose So. 64 Nick Najarro Jr. RG 66 Dylan Lineberry Sr. 54 Ajani Banks Fr. RT 72 Joel Foster Sr. 78 Chris Eidd Fr. TE 99 Robert Harmon Sr. 88 Beau Davidson Sr. QB 7 Daniel Meager So. 18 Matt Phillips So. FB 37 James Mitchell Sr. 30 Keronna Henderson So. RB 20 Jamario Thomas Jr. 11 Deavin Cox Jr. Depth Chart: Defense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 90 Jeremiah Chapman Jr. 89 Blake Burruss Jr. DT 56 Sky Pruitt Sr. 65 Joseph Miller So. DE 79 Montey Stevenson Jr. 95 Chase Pistole Jr. BAN 9 Eddrick Gilmore So. 97 Raifu Durodoye Jr. MLB 4 Brandon Monroe Jr. 51 Derek Mendoza Jr. WLB 41 Maurice Holman Jr. 46 Shawn Early Sr. ROV 36 Phillip Graves Sr. 53 Germaine Dawson So. CB 2 Dominique Green So. 35 Antoine Bush Fr. CB 39 Desmond Chatman Fr. - Roy Loren Jr. SS 38 Aaron Weathers Jr. 24 Roderick Cotton Jr. FS 16 Steve Warren So. 45 Cliff Higgs Jr. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 32 Denis Hopovac Sr. KR 81 Johnny Quinn Sr. P 25 Truman Spencer So. PR 81 Johnny Quinn Sr.

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Last season North Texas wallowed in uncharted territory, finishing last in a league it had ruled since its inception in 2001. Now that the competition has exacted its revenge, the Mean Green will try to reassert itself as the kingpin of the Sun Belt Conference.

There is no denying that last year's shortcomings were directly attributable to inexperience and injuries. North Texas lost five SBC games by a total of 21 points.

But this season there are 15 healthy starters returning, plus Jamario Thomas. The nation's leading rusher as a freshman, Thomas will be back at full strength after being slowed by a hamstring in '05.

The offensive line has grown up, the quarterback is battle-tested and the top receiver is an all-conference performer. The defense switches to a 3-4 to take advantage of a gifted corps of linebackers.

OFFENSE

It's not often that a team replaces its leading all-time rusher with a back who once led the nation in rushing. But that's what will happen at North Texas in 2006. Thomas, a junior, takes over for Patrick Cobbs, has recovered from a hamstring injury that limited him to eight games and 361 yards in 2005. If he comes close to returning to the form that saw him lead the nation with 1,801 yards as a freshman, North Texas will be well on its way to challenging for its fifth Sun Belt title in six years.

Thomas is not the only North Texan with all-star credentials on the offensive side of the ball. Receiver Johnny Quinn is as dependable as they come. A two-time all-conference selection, Quinn ranks second in I-A with at least one catch in 36 consecutive games.

A talented but youthful offensive line took its lumps last year but figures to deliver a few of its own in '06. North Texas welcomes back four starters up front, led by right guard Dylan Lineberry, a first team all-conference selection.

The key to the offense will be finding consistency at quarterback. Sophomores Daniel Meager, who started every game, and Matt Phillips, who showed promise late in the season, were neck-and-neck in the spring. Their battle should carry over into August.

DEFENSE

A switch to a 3-4 alignment will enable North Texas to take advantage of the skill and athleticism of its deep and talented linebacking corps. Phillip Graves and Maurice Holman, who started on the outside, are the top returnees at a position where no fewer than five players have starting experience.

After allowing more than 2,400 yards rushing, the line is undergoing a makeover, and the two best players are trying to rebound from injuries. Sky Pruitt, who missed much of spring ball, is slated to start inside. Jeremiah Chapman, one of only two returning all-conference defensive linemen and the team's best pass rusher, also skipped spring practice while recovering from ankle surgery. A healthy Montey Stevenson is listed as a starter opposite Chapman.

Strong safety Aaron Weathers, the Sun Belt's Newcomer of the Year in 2005, is the best player in an untested secondary. Part-time starter Steve Warren returns at free safety. Dominique Green and Desmond Chatman were first-team corners in the spring but that could change by fall.

SPECIALISTS

Kickoff specialist Denis Hopovac will take on the placekicking job vacated by Nick Bazaldua, UNT's all-time scoring leader. Truman Spencer returns to handle the punting. While not known for an overpowering leg, Spencer did drop 16 punts inside the 20. The sure-handed Quinn will return punts and kickoffs.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Walking around with a bull's-eye on its back was not a good way for an inexperienced and often-injured North Texas team to go through the 2005 season. The resulting 2-9 record was not a lie. But it didn't tell the entire story, either. In spite of their youth and injuries, the Mean Green went toe-to-toe with all of its Sun Belt Conference rivals.

Now that the youngsters have matured and the aches and pains have had time to heal, North Texas is poised to make a run for the Sun Belt title, a prize it considers its birthright. The real test will come from the schedule as UNT faces Arkansas State, UL Monroe and UL Lafayette on the road.