Sun Belt releases all-decade team, moments

The Sun Belt Conference released its 10th Anniversary team and all-time moments on Monday, and North Texas players took two of the superlative awards and four spots on the team. The full release:

Sun Belt's Top Players, Moments and Plays of Last Decade Released

NEW ORLEANS – Former league Players of the Year and current NFL stars highlight the Sun Belt Conference’s Ten Year Anniversary Football Team, while last minute wins and non-conference victories highlight the Sun Belt’s list of Top Ten Moments and Top Ten Plays as all three lists were released Monday. 

Each category was selected by fan voting over the course of the season as well as voting from the Sun Belt Conference head coaches and media panel.  All nominations came from the Sun Belt institutions. 

Sun Belt Conference Tenth Anniversary Football Team

Offense

Rusty Smith (Florida Atlantic, Quarterback)
Tyrell Fenroy (Louisiana-Lafayette, Running Back)
Patrick Cobbs (North Texas, Running Back)

Casey Fitzgerald (North Texas, Wide Receiver)

Jerrel Jernigan (Troy, Wide Receiver)

Jason Harmon (Florida Atlantic, Tight End)

Matt Mandich (Arkansas State, Offensive Line)
Chris Fisher (Louisiana-Lafayette, Offensive Line)
Brandon Westbrook (Middle Tennessee, Offensive Line)

Nick Zuniga (North Texas, Offensive Line)

Dion Small (Troy, Offensive Line)

Defense

Alex Carrington (Arkansas State, Defensive Line)

Jeff Littlejohn (Middle Tennessee, Defensive Line)

Brandon Kennedy (North Texas, Defensive Line)

Demarcus Ware (Troy, Defensive Line)

Frantz Joseph (Florida Atlantic, Linebackers)

Cardia Jackson (Louisiana-Monroe, Linebackers)
Boris Lee (Troy, Linebackers)

Tyrell Johnson (Arkansas State, Defensive Back)

Charles Tillman (Louisiana-Lafayette, Defensive Back)

Chris Harris (Louisiana-Monroe, Defensive Back)

Leodis McKelvin (Troy, Defensive Back)

Special Teams

Josh Arauco (Arkansas State, Placekicker)
Joel Stelly (Louisiana-Monroe, Punter)

Leodis McKelvin (Troy, Return Specialist)

Specialty Awards

Tenth Anniversary Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Patrick Cobbs (North Texas)

Tenth Anniversary Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Brandon Kennedy (North Texas)

Tenth Anniversary Most Outstanding Head Coach: Larry Blakeney (Troy)

Sun Belt Conference Tenth Anniversary Football Top Ten Moments

As part of the Sun Belt Conference’s Ten Year Anniversary of football, fans, coaches and members of the media combined to select the Top Ten Moments in the history of the Sun Belt Conference.  Below are the results of the voting in no particular order.  Nominees were submitted by each institution.

Motor City Bowl Makes Owls Back-to Back Bowl Champs
FAU was chosen to travel to Detroit where they would serve as host to Central Michigan. It would be billed as an offensive game with two of the country’s best quarterbacks. However, it was the defense that dominated the game and defense that gave FAU the 24-21 victory over CMU.  Rusty Smith was honored as the game’s MVP. Frantz Joseph as the game’s Defensive MVP and both celebrated as Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger and Lloyd Carr exchanged the championship trophy. It was the second bowl celebration in as many years for the Owls with each holding a different meaning. The first was accomplishment, the second relief that they had truly lived up to expectation and would become the players that earned the Sun Belt Conference back-to-back bowl victories, the first time in the league’s history. The back-to-back victories in 2007 and 2008 also noted FAU as the only team in the state of Florida to earn bowl victories in both 2007 and 2008.

Cajuns beat Big XII Kansas State on 48-yard field goal with 0:32 left

The Sun Belt has had its share of upsets, but not many as memorable as the Cajuns’ victory over Kansas State.  ULL led 14-2 at the half, but trailed 15-14 with 8:08 remaining on the clock.  A late drive inched the Cajuns closer, but rookie kicker Tyler Albrecht faced a 48-yard field goal with 32 seconds remaining to win the game.  If that wasn’t enough pressure, add a wet surface and the fact that it was Albrecht’s first career field goal attempt.  None of it mattered, as his kick sailed through the uprights giving the Cajuns the win.

ULM’s 21-14 Victory at Alabama

ULM stunned the nation and a crowd of 92,000 fans inside Bryant-Denny Stadium when the Warhawks defeated Alabama 21-14 on Nov. 17, 2007. The Warhawks held Alabama without a touchdown over the game’s final 42 minutes and forced four Crimson Tide turnovers in what is Alabama’s last loss at home (heading into the 2010 season). Calvin Dawson rushed for 91 yards, Kinsmon Lancaster completed 14-of-24 pass attempts and Quintez Secka intercepted a pair of John Parker Wilson passes – Secka was awarded a helmet sticker by the ESPN College GameDay Final crew. It was ULM’s third victory over a Southeastern Conference school, but easily the biggest victory in the school’s Division I history.

Blue Raiders win over Vanderbilt in 2001

In Middle Tennessee’s first-ever game as a Sun Belt member it traveled a short distance to take on the SEC’s Vanderbilt Commodores. The Blue Raiders picked up the conferences first-ever win as the combination of Wes Counts and Dwone Hicks was too much for the Commodores. Counts completed 27 of 36 passes for 308 yards while Hicks added 203 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to give MT a 37-28 victory. It went down as the Blue Raiders’ first-ever win against the SEC.

Dwight Dasher 2009 New Orleans Bowl MVP

Quarterback Dwight Dasher became the first bowl Most Valuable Player since the Blue Raiders joined the FBS ranks in 1999 with a record-setting performance in the Louisiana Superdome on national television. Dasher accounted for 81 percent of the team’s offense with 363 total yards and four touchdowns to lead MT to a 42-32 win over Southern Miss. Along with 162 yards passing, Dasher rushed for a career-high 201 yards to set a new New Orleans Bowl rushing record. His 201-yard effort also went down as the most rushing yards by a quarterback in NCAA bowl history by breaking Vince Young’s mark of 200 yards set against USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl.

Final Drive at Maryland in 2009

Even though he would prefer it be called “the Blue Raider Drive”, there’s no doubt who was in command of Middle Tennessee’s stunning game-winning drive on the road against Maryland in 2009. Needing a field goal to win, quarterback Dwight Dasher took the Blue Raiders 73 yards in eight plays with no timeouts to set up Alan Gendreau’s game-clinching three-pointer. Dasher was a perfect 4-for-4 through the air for 65 yards, including a beautiful 35-yard strike to Chris McClover along the left sideline to key the come-from-behind win. It marked the second straight upset of the Terps and the first time the Blue Raiders have ever defeated an ACC team on the road.

North Texas Wins 2002 New Orleans Bowl
North Texas claimed its second consecutive invitation to the New Orleans Bowl in 2002.  Not content on just playing in the game, the Mean Green defeated Conference-USA co-Champion Cincinnati for the their first Bowl win since 1946.

National Rushing Champs
With Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas, North Texas became the first school in NCAA history to have two national rushing champions play in the same backfield. Cobbs won the NCAA rushing title in 2003 and Thomas in 2004.

 “The Miracle in Murfreesboro”

Down 20-7 at Middle Tennessee with less than three minutes to play and the season in the balance, Omar Haugabook leads the Trojans on a pair of TD drives, sandwiched around a successful onside kick.

Trojans Upset Missouri

The goal posts at Movie Gallery Stadium come down after the Trojans 24-14 victory over 19th ranked Missouri.

Sun Belt Conference Tenth Anniversary Football Top Ten Plays

As part of the Sun Belt Conference’s Ten Year Anniversary of football, fans, coaches and members of the media combined to select the Top Ten Plays in the history of the Sun Belt Conference.  Below are the results of the voting in no particular order.  Nominees were submitted by each institution.

Leonard-to-Jones Touchdown Gives Red Wolves Win at Texas A&M

Arkansas State ushered in the era of the Red Wolves with arguably its biggest victory ever when quarterback Corey Leonard connected with wideout Kevin Jones from 15 yards out to put ASU on top of Texas A&M 15-14 with 4:39 to play, in what would eventually be an 18-14 Red Wolves victory.

Leonard’s Hail Mary Stuns Memphis

With the clock reading :00, Arkansas State receiver Patrick Higgins jumped high in the end zone among a throng of Memphis defenders to catch a 53-yard pass from quarterback Corey Leonard to lead Arkansas State to a come-from-behind 26-23 victory over the University of Memphis at the Liberty Bowl.

Albrecht's first career attempt, only from 48 yards and only beats K-State with 32 ticks left

Nerves of steel needed when your first career field goal attempt comes with 32 seconds remaining in the game, is from 48 yards, is on a wet surface, will either win or lose the game and has upset implications.  Add in the fact that Tyler Albrecht nearly lost the starting kicker job to a redshirt freshman during fall camp and his game-winning field goal against Kansas State in nothing short of legendary.

Fenroy bursts through the line to claim his fourth 1,000-yard rushing season - just the 7th in history

Just six players in the history of college football had ever had four 1,000-yard rushing seasons, until Tyrell Fenroy became the seventh on Nov. 1, 2008.  In doing so, Fenroy joined the most elite rushing list in NCAA history.  Some of college football’s most famous running backs – Archie Griffin, Bo Jackson, Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders and Ricky Williams – do not appear on the list.  Fenroy was the 16th player in NCAA history to have three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons to begin career during his junior campaign of 2007.  In the post-game press conference, Fenroy entered sporting a red t-shirt with the words “Mr. 4000” across the chest.

James Truxillo Forced Fumble at Alabama

With ULM hanging on to a 21-14 lead over Alabama late in the fourth quarter, the Crimson Tide appeared as if they were going to tie the game as they were on a promising drive deep in ULM territory. After three plays that averaged 17.3 yards each brought the Crimson Tide down to the ULM 19-yard line, James Truxillo forced what will go down as one of the biggest fumbles in ULM history. With Alabama facing a 2nd-and-1, Truxillo ripped the ball out of running back Jimmy John’s hands and Alabama native Darrius Battles fell on the ball to give the Warhawks possession with just 4:41 to play in the game. The Warhawks would go on to defeat the Crimson Tide 21-14.

Jeremiah Weaver blocked field goal at Vanderbilt in 2005

Middle Tennessee traveled to Vanderbilt to take on the 4-0 Jay Cutler led Commodores. The Blue Raiders led 17-15 and VU took over from its own 1-yard line with 2:47 to play. Cutler led the Commodores all the way to the MT 18-yard line with 3 seconds left and would attempt a 36-yard field goal. Senior Jeremiah Weaver came storming in from the right side to cleanly block the FG attempt and send Middle Tennessee to a dramatic victory.

Malcolm Beyah “Hail Mary” catch vs FAU in 2008

Trailing 13-7, the Blue Raiders started their final drive at their own 35-yard line with 1:15 left to play and no timeouts. QB Joe Craddock and freshman receiver Malcolm Beyah teamed to provide the “Murfreesboro Miracle” on a play called “Hope”. Craddock threw the game-tying pass to Beyah in the right corner of the endzone with no time left to give the Blue Raiders an improbable victory on national television. It marked the first time in school history the Blue Raiders had won a game on the final play of regulation.

Alan Gendreau last second field goal at Maryland in 2009
Trailing 31-29 at Maryland with 1:30 to play, Middle Tennessee went 73 yards in eight plays with no timeouts left to set up a possible game-winning field goal. With :02 seconds left, Alan Gendreau came on and hit a 19-yard field goal as time expired to give the Blue Raiders a second straight upset of the Terps.

Louissaint’s Rumbling Touchdown against Missouri
RB DeWhitt Betterson fumbled in the second quarter of the Trojan’s nationally-televised showdown with the 19th-ranked Tigers. Fortunately, the ball landed in the hands of senior offensive lineman Junior Louissaint, who rumbled 63-yards for a touchdown to start a stretch of 24 unanswered points in Troy’s 24–14 victory.

The Miracle in Murfreesboro – Hampton Upside-down Catch
Smokey Hampton lands on his head, making a 19-yard catch from Omar Haugabook on fourth down for a first down late in the fourth quarter of “The Miracle in Murfreesboro”, setting up the game-winning score seconds later.

UNT 85, Texas State 62 (final)

George Odufuwa didn't score in the final 15:28 to get a caree-high in points, but he did plenty to help UNT down the stretch with an assist, a block and his usual tough rebounding. His nine field goals were a career-best, and five assists tied a career high. Josh White had 18 points after a slow start, and three more UNT players had eight points each.

UNT (9-2) plays at LSU, alma mater of Mean Green coach Johnny Jones, on Wednesday. The Tigers aren't exactly "up" right now, so it could be intriguing.

UNT 65, Texas State 49 (7:35 2nd half)

George Odufuwa needs a point to surpass his career high (he has 20 now), and Alonzo Edwards just threw down a baseline slam. I've been a little distracted by some football-recruiting related stuff, but UNT hasn't really lost control of this game at any point. Texas State is shooting 32 percent. Other than Josh White 16 points, UNT isn't getting a lot of big point totals from anyone else. By the way, Edwards just got another dunk, this one off a fast-break assist by White.

Apparently, UNT picked up football commit in last hour or so

Derek Akunne, a linebacker from North Garland, has apparently committed to UNT, according to his Rivals.com profile that was recently updated. Colorado State, Air Force and Western Kentucky were apparently after Akunne. Not sure who at Rivals was notified of this or by who, but it wasn't me. Will try to find out more about Akunne later on.

UNT 40, Texas State 25 (halftime)

Officials just counted a last-second shot by Odufuwa that was first ruled to have not beaten the buzzer. They had to talk it over after Odufuwa and UNT coach Johnny Jones protested, and it looked like a legit gripe. UNT in firm control despite not all of its players in top form.

UNT 38, Texas State 25 (:58.8 1st half)

Texas State has fought back somewhat after trailing by 18. UNT guard Josh White has six points but isn't getting into much of a rhythm. I suspect he'll pull it together just fine.

UNT 23, Texas State 11 (10:31 1st half)

Shannon Shorter sank a 3 for the latest UNT lead. Edwards really showed some nice passing on that last possession. Looks like he and Knox will share some minutes today, because looks like the latter is about to return. Can't tell if Hogans is really slowed that much, but the knee is pretty wrapped.

Edwards, Hogans both in

Looks like Odufuwa got poked in the eye or something, and Alonzo Edwards just entered the game for Knox and scored on a quick putback. Kedrick Hogans came in for Odufuwa, whose still trying to get an eye issue worked out. UNT leads 20-11.

UNT 13, Texas State 4 (15:20 1st half)

Ben Knox just popped a little half-turnaround, and George Odufwa's layup put the Mean Green up by 9. Texas State is struggling early, but we'll see if UNT really buries the Bobcats early.

UNT looking thin up front

Ben Knox is making his first career start in place of Kedrick Hogans (sprained knee). No idea why Alonzo Edwards isn't starting. Cameron Spencer must still be slowed by an injury. Jacob Holman is still on the bench, too. That's not to say Knox hasn't been out-practicing some people, which Johnny Jones is known to reward.

UNT-Texas State men's hoops about to tip off

Mean Green is 8-2, Texas State is 2-6. Since UNT played Rice on Nov. 23, it's been like the Tour de Southland or Circ du SWAC on the Mean Green's schedule, including an earlier game against Texas State in San Marcos that UNT won 81-77 before this rematch.

UNT staff starting to look like Jayhawk South

Dan McCarney made the hirings of special teams/tight ends coach Kent Riddle, offensive line coach Justin Frye and defensive line coach Mike Nelson official today. He did the same Tuesday with defensive coordinator/safeties Clint Bowen, assistant head coach/receivers Nick Quartaro and associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Mike Canales.

We've known about Nelson and Canales for weeks, since they were retained from the former staff. Quartaro was a late addition when McCarney decided not to retain Conroy Hines, who had to swing in the wind for a while. Quartaro and Bowen both have long ties to the program at Kansas. Fry played at Indiana and was an offensive line graduate assistant at Florida for two years. Riddle has been at Colorado but apparently helped Boise State develop some of its famed trickeration in previous years.

We were the first to tell you Monday that Montana State DBs coach Justin Gaines was joining the staff as cornerbacks coach. That hire isn't "official" yet, but it's unofficial. Sources told us about Bowen, Frye, Riddle and strength coach Frank Wintrich last Wednesday and Thursday, as per the time stamps on this blog.

As for any douches out there who can't help but tell anyone who will listen how right they always are, Bowen did in fact interview last Thursday at Indiana after accepting the UNT job in principle. No one -- at least in this space -- ever said he was taking a job there. It's great that he didn't, but any assertions that Kevin Wilson wasn't interviewing assistants then is, well, smoking something. Congratulations to Bowen for landing a good gig, and he'll be an asset to UNT, obviously.

So, this is the lineup so far:

OC/quarterbacks: Canales
Running backs: ?
Receivers: Quartaro
Offensive line: Frye
Tight ends: Riddle
DC/safeties: Bowen
Defensive line: Nelson
Linebackers: ?
Cornerbacks: Gaines
Special teams: Riddle
Strength/conditioning: Wintrich

Gaines new UNT secondary coach

The title is unclear at this point, but Montana State secondary coach Justin Gaines is the latest addition to Dan McCarney's staff at UNT, according to a source.

Gaines has been coaching defensive backs at Montana State since 2007. He played for MSU rival Montana and also coached at Midwestern State, Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas Lutheran and Northern Arizona. He used those inroads to put Montana State on the recruiting trail in Texas (that doesn't sound easy), which apparently helped land him this job.

The assumption here is Gaines will specifically coach either safeties or cornerbacks. If not, McCarney is going a little old-school with the coaching organizational structure.

Here is Gaines' bio.

More mystery about the Bowen "hire"

Jason Stamm of InsideHilltopperSports.com said Friday evening he had confirmed that Clint Bowen, UNT's will-he-or-won't-he new defensive coordinator, interviewed at Indiana on Thursday. From what message-board chatter I can piece together, it sounds like Bowen is considering a position-coach job that pays more than UNT can offer as a defensive coordinator. Other than money, I can't think of another reason why Bowen would do that, but sometimes money talks.

What little time I had Friday to chase this led to not much on UNT's end, but senior associate athletic director Eric Capper told the Western Kentucky student newspaper in an e-mail  that "there has been no official announcement about the hiring of any assistant football coaches and at the present time the University of North Texas does not have a contract with Mr. Bowen."

Obviously, that could be administrator speak for "he's here, just not officially." If there's a soap opera playing out between UNT and IU for Bowen's services, it'll play out soon. But I also know Stamm isn't pulling junk out of thin air when he says Bowen has interviewed at IU, and that at least bears watching.

My guess is at least a modest level of confusion or uncertainty about Bowen's status exists on certain fronts, but it stands to reason new UNT coach Dan McCarney knows one way or another. The most suspicious aspect is there's been enough time for Bowen to be firmly in place at UNT, and he's apparently talking to IU as late as Thursday. Maybe he's covering bases, which isn't a bad idea in that nasty business.

Here's the updated story from the WKU paper.

Bowen out before he's in?

Rivals site InsideHilltopperSports.com is reporting tonight that erstwhile UNT defensive coordinator Clint Bowen could be headed somewhere else without even stopping in Denton first. Site publisher Jason Stamm told me a few hours ago that sources say Bowen is set to be named defensive coordinator at Indiana in what could be a collision of bad timing for new UNT coach Dan McCarney. Things have been quiet over at the AC after various sources confirmed Bowen's hiring to different publications (including TMGR), so you have to wonder if the smoke is real.

Bowen was Western Kentucky's DC for one season (2010) after being swept out in the Mark Mangino staff bloodletting at Kansas following the 2009 season. I'm told there's been no Bowen sighting at the AC, and there's precedent at UNT for this.

Remember Derek Lewis? I had to look him up to recall the name, but Todd Dodge hired Lewis from Texas in January of 2007 to be UNT's defensive ends coach. A month into the gig, Lewis bolted to work for Tim Brewster at Minnesota in what resembled the shortest hire in UNT history. If UNT has officially processed Bowen and he leaves, that'll break Lewis' record as a short-timer.

Since then, Minnesota has cleaned house again with Brewster's firing and hired a new coach, but Lewis' bio still popped up in the Gophers' archive. The funniest part is Lewis actually listed that one month (or less) he spent at UNT as DE coach under Dodge -- which begs the question: Why bother?

McCarney adds 2 more

Source confirms new UNT coach Dan McCarney has hired former Colorado tight ends/special teams coach Kent Riddle, ostensibly to coach the same positions for the Mean Green. Former South Florida strength and conditioning coach Frank Wintrich will take over those same duties at UNT, formerly overseen by Charr Gahagan.

McCarney has four staff spots filled, maybe fifth

New UNT coach Dan McCarney hasn't made a formal announcement, but Western Kentucky's Clint Bowen, who spent more than at decade as an assistant at Kansas before working as WKU's DC this season, will be UNT's new DC when all the paperwork clears, according to a source. Bowen also has knowledge of special teams, having coached those units for several years, in addition to tight ends, running backs and safeties at some point. He was co-defensive coordinator at KU in 2006 and 2007 and was promoted to the top DC job in 2008. WKU hired him in 2010 after Kansas made a coaching change.

Based on Bowen's resume, he seems like a solid choice, but I wouldn't exactly say he's a proven, seasoned DC. But youth is good to bring along in college coaching, and it's paying dividends for several programs. As for new OL coach Justin Frye, McCarney didn't have to look far, but you can't help but wonder about Frye's youth with UNT graduating so many guys up front.

The source also confirmed that McCarney has hired Frye to coach the OL. He was a player at Indiana as recently as 2006. He spent two seasons (2007, 2008) at IU as a graduate assistant before joining the staff at Florida as an intern/offense in 2009. Basically, his job for two years at Florida has been to assist offensive line coach Steve Addazio, who coached Frye at IU and helped him land the UF intern position. This is Frye's first real coaching job. Either he really has something as a coach despite the inexperience, or someone on McCarney's staff has to be the designated cheap hire, and he's it. Maybe both.

As for the other hires, you already know UNT interim coach Mike Canales was retained as associate HC/offense/quarterbacks, and defensive line coach Mike Nelson is also staying. Both are out recruiting this week.

UNT receivers coach Conroy Hines is still in a "maybe" phase as far as his status. Canales and Hines really clicked as offensive coaches for UNT, and Canales wants him to stay. McCarney apparently has at least another candidate in mind, but he's not opposed to Hines staying if the job were to fall to him.

If Hines stays, that leaves staff spots still open at running backs, tight ends, linebackers, safeties, cornerbacks and special teams if Bowen doesn't handle those duties, which could be a remote possibility.

UNT 80, Grambling 64 (3:47 2nd half)

Hogans and Dominique Johnson have put UNT in firm control here as we head down the stretch. Grambling can't keep UNT scorers out of the lane, so it's not just a bunch of 3-pointers and other long shots going up. Not to say that's bad or anything.

UNT 76, Grambling 60 (5:08 2nd half)

Shannon Shorter hasn't played much tonight for UNT, but he's heating up with four quick points. He and White have pushed the lead to 16.

UNT 70, Grambling 58 (7:48 2nd half)

Odufuwa rebounded a missed free throw by Hogans and got the layup for a 3-point play to push UNT's lead back to 12.

Edwards fouls out with 8:38 left

UNT just lost one of its inside guys, Alonzo Edwards. He's done with two points and two rebounds.

UNT 64, Grambling 55 (10:15 2nd half)

Odufuwa, Kedrick Hogans and Thompson gave UNT a 6-0 run. Back in business.

UNT 58, Grambling 54 (11:53 2nd half)

UNT is again playing it a little too close to the edge tonight against a lesser opponent. Grambling's Justin Patton just went in from the baseline for a slam dunk to cut the margin to four points for the second time in the last few minutes.

UNT 53, Grambling 45 (15:49 2nd half)

UNT's shooting has "cooled" to 59 percent, but three players are now in double figures with Thompson, George Odufuwa and Josh White. Grambling won't quite go away.

UNT 46, Grambling 35 (halftime)

Thompson sank 3 of 3 free throws to end the half after being fouled behind the line at the buzzer. UNT seemed to have regained control after Grambling got back into the game. Thompson has 16 points at the half and is on pace to better Tuesday's career night (29 points) against UTA.

UNT 37, Grambling 30 (3:46 1st half)

An 11-3 run by Grambling has tightened things up.

UNT 34, Grambling 19 (7:33 1st half)

Thompson leads all scorers with 11 points, and UNT is shooting 72 percent. Not much to quibble with here.

UNT 23, Grambling 13 (12:00 1st half)

Wonder if UNT will give up another big lead tonight like the 20-pointer it coughed up to UTA the other night. This one should swell as we go along, but we'll see later on.

UNT-Grambling underway at Super Pit

UNT leads early 13-6. Tristan Thompson, who had a career-high 29 points the last game against UT-Arlington, is off to another good start with six points.

UNT 87, UTA 83 (final)

Another typical Mean Green-Mavericks hoops battle. Dominique Johnson sank four free throws in the final 18 seconds to salt this one away for UNT, which led by as much as 20. UNT (5-1) was led by Tristan Thompson's 29 points. Josh White had 19. Johnson had 11 points and seven assists, and Shannon Shorter had 10 points. George Odufuwa had 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Crowded on the site tonight with so much new football news, so we'll have more live hoops coverage later this week with the Thursday game and beyond.

UNT 81, UTA 78 (:57 2nd half)

White has missed a lob and a 3-pointer here in the last minute, and UTA continues to make it a tough game to pull out. Looks like White is about to shoot some free throws.

UNT 81, UTA 76 (1:31 2nd half)

UNT's in position for a gut-it-out victory after a 3-pointer by Shannon Shorter, three free throws by Shannon Shorter, and some nice defensive rebounding by George Odufuwa. UNT has the ball now.

UNT 75, UTA 73 (3:36 2nd half)

We're in a bit of a stalemate here. UNT has had a chance to pull further ahead, but Kedrick Hogan was called for an offensive foul, resulting in a George Odufuwa hoop being waved off. Josh White made a jumper for the lead, but was called for a charge in a subsequent drive. UNT has missed its last six 3-point attempts.

UNT 73, UTA 73 (5:49 2nd half)

It's officially a game. Tristan Thompson (free throws) and Shannon Shorter (layup) have tied it for UNT, but UTA looks resilient. Great matchup as always between these two.

UTA 71, UNT 69 (6:37 2nd half)

LaMarcus Reed just made his second straight 3-pointer to put UTA ahead for the first time.

UNT 67, UTA 65 (8:02 2nd half)

UTA has made a big-time run to tighten this up. UNT led by 18 earlier, but an 18-4 run by the Mavericks have closed the gap to 2.

UNT 59, UTA 41 (15:48 2nd half)

It's not going well for UTA. UNT has 11 3-pointers, and one of the Mavericks just tried a wide-open dunk or drop-in off the baseline, missed badly and ended up on his back under the hoop. Naturally, it amused everyone here to no end.

UNT 45, UTA 29 (halftime)

UNT has had its problems with UTA in recent years, but not tonight so far. UTA is dead meat if it doesn't defends the 3 better. UNT is 8-for-12, and all 12 of Josh White's points (4-for-5) have come on 3-pointers. Tristan Thompson has 13 points at the half. UNT is killing UTA on the boards with a 28-18 rebounding margin.

UNT 37, UTA 22 (4:15 1st half)

Tristan Thompson has it going on tonight with 11 points, and it would take quite the meltdown for UNT to really let this one go. UNT is 6-for-10 from the 3-point line.

UNT 19, UTA 13 (11:51 1st half)

Josh White and Tristan Thompson have six points apiece. George Odufuwa already has six rebounds.

D-Mac in the house tonight

He's across the way with wife Margy at the VIP courtside table enjoying a little hoops after his meet-and-greet with the Mean Green Club. I imagine he's used to a somewhat fuller arena after coaching at Iowa State and Florida. They love the hoops in those places. Here, too, but to a lesser extent.

Blogging from UNT-UTA hoops

Big day in Denton today with Dan McCarney's introduction as UNT's new football coach, and tonight men's hoops (4-1) is hosting UT-Arlington. Early first half, UNT leads the Mavericks 8-3.

Response to McCarney/Canales column reaction

Received a few posts and e-mails on today's column about Saturday's K-State loss, Mike Canales not getting the HC job and Dan McCarney being hired. Everyone is entitled to agree or fire away, but here's a little explanation on my part.

If it wasn't clear from the column, then understand now I don't consider anything in there critical of Canales. It's in there that I don't question his sincerity or his approach with UNT's players the last month. All I wonder -- and it's a THEORY -- is if that approach did him any favors in the hiring process. Maybe it had no effect. Who really knows?

As for the players, nothing personal against them, but I stand by what I wrote, because it's a fair reaction to their own words. I never went looking for a frank admission their teammates quit on Todd Dodge. They volunteered it up. If you find it offensive to have it pointed out, then I guess you need a refresher definition of what news is.

I doubt Robertson or Akpunku were guilty parties in this purported "quitting" by their teammates, but it was hard to detect much remorse or shame in their explanation of what had happened. Obviously, losing takes its toll on everyone, but since when do college football players require an approach only they want or agree with to justify a sudden uptick in effort?

Don't mistake this for painting Canales with a broad brush. He's a coach, and I know he was tough and stern when he had to be. But he did what he felt he had to in coach-player relations, for the psyche of those who needed success and what might have given him the best chance to stay at UNT. I applaud him, but the point I'm making has nothing to do with him.

If Akpunku and Robertson are correct, and they often speak for their teammates on team matters, we're left to think many players viewed losing as anyone's fault but theirs, so they quit. I get that it happens in places with unstable coaching situations, as was this. So, we just laugh it off when the players are this honest about it?

If we're going to hold coaches accountable for losing, then let's not be hypocritical when players admit to truly pitiful, immature stuff like this.

I didn't find it easy to write this, and there's honestly no personal offense meant to UNT players, who have always been pros with the media. I'm just not sure they really heard or thought through what they were admitting.

Of course, if you think the column completely sucks and I should be banned from the AC, then you just wasted your time reading this explanation.

Looks like KSU might hang on

Wildcats converted a 3rd and 6 and now face 3rd and 3 from the UNT 48 with 3:18 to play...first down KSU after another Thomas run. Heading down. Looks like KSU will win one of the craziest college games I've ever seen 49-41.

Dodge has neck injury

Told in press box he has full movement but getting x-rays at hospital.

KSU 49, UNT 41 (10:00 4th QU)

What a day/night this continues to be. A play after Riley Dodge is wheeled off and into an ambulance, backup QB Chase Baine dishes a shovel pass to Dunbar, who catches KSU's defense sleeping on fourth down and goes 18 yards to make an 8-point game -- again. Words don't do justice.

Dodge waving as he rolls off

Good sign. His pops, Todd Dodge, is down there too.

Dodge hurt, ambulance stretcher coming out

Riley Dodge just got beat up pretty bad on a failed zone read, and they're taking him away now. More later, but Chase Baine should be coming in now at QB for UNT. This place is dead silent.

Fouts going out kicking and screaming

Kansas State's Aubrey Quarles just ran back the next kickoff 92 yards for a TD -- a play after Chancellor did it for UNT. KSU leads 49-34 with 14:46 to play. Craziness sure to ensue.

Wow, UNT answers immediately

Brelan Chancellor just ran back the kickoff 93 yards to pull UNT within 8 to end the third quarter. Kansas State leads 42-34. Insane.

It's the Dunbar-Thomas show

KSU went up 42-27 on a Daniel Thomas 3-yard TD run. Thomas set up his score with a 33-yard run to the UNT 6.

Thomas has 249 yards to Dunbar's 253.

KSU 35, UNT 27 (2:46 3rd QU)

Kansas State will not soon forget Lance Dunbar, who added a 36-yard touchdown run on a little fake-and-draw from Dodge. Dunbar has 253 yards 3 TDs.

KSU 35, UNT 20 (7:33 3rd QU)

The kicking game is killing UNT. Deans punted 20 yards to set KSU up in UNT territory, and the Wildcats scored on eight running plays (nine total) for what looks like a comfortable lead. Lance Dunbar hasn't been a factor since going off in the first quarter.

KSU 28, UNT 20 (13:48 3rd QU)

Daniel Thomas ran 51 yards to set up a wildcat run (7 yards) by backup QB Collin Klein. Looks like the Cats have figured UNT out.

KSU 21, UNT 20 (halftime)

Wildcats take their first lead on some ill-timed UNT mistakes, the first one an 18-yard punt by Trent Deans, who had to scramble to get off an 18-yard punt after a bad snap. KSU drove from the UNT 36 and scored on Coffman's short pass to Chris Harper with 5 seconds left in the half.

KSU sacked Dodge to set up that on-the-run punt by Deans that went out of bounds. UNT's defense forced a turnover on downs on the previous KSU drive and is playing well, but Royce Hill dropped an interception that could have had UNT in business going the other way.

KSU pushes one in, finally

It took four attempts from the UNT 2, but KSU finally scores on Coffman's 1-yard sneak, which required a replay review. UNT leads 20-14 in the second quarter and just punted after going 3 and out.

For some reason, Lance Dunbar isn't in the game after his monster first quarter. 

Dunbar tees off on KSU again

He just went 63 yards for a TD and now has 161 on five carries. UNT leads 20-7 with 3:23 to go in the first. KSU's Carson Coffman fumbled away the Wildcats' last drive.

UNT 13, Kansas State 7 (6:27 1st QU)

If your a KSU fan and were watching at home if this game was even on TV, you'd want to put a foot through the TV. Riley Dodge found Jamaal Jackson, who beat man coverage for a 15-yard score. UNT missed the kick but re-took the lead.

UNT 7, KSU 7 (9:17 1st QU)

Daniel Thomas got KSU on the board with a 23-yard TD run. So far, UNT can't stop the guy.

UNT 7, Kansas State 0 (12:59 1st QU)

Quick score by UNT on Lance Dunbar's 52-yard TD run. Riley Dodge found Jamize Olawale on a 30-yard completion a few plays earlier. So far, Kansas State leaking oil on defense.

Blogging from the Fouts swan song

They should hold a promotion to see who gets to push the implosion button on this place, but for now it's still a football stadium. UNT host Kansas State (kickoff in about 10 mins.) today in the last game at Fouts Field. It's senior day, and I can't imagine UNT pulling off a win against the Big 12's Wildcats, but we'll see.

Lots of purple in the stands, but you wouldn't expect less from the KSU fans.

Done here (so is UNT)

Pretty down atmosphere around the UNT locker room after ULM won 49-37. UNT got it to 42-37 with 7:08 to play but couldn't get a stop or hold ULM to a field goal with 2:52 remaining. ULM intercepted Dodge to effectively end the game.

Seniors and Fouts Field go out next Saturday against Kansas State. Don't know exactly where this leaves interim coach Mike Canales and Co., but one can imagine. At times, UNT was really poor tonight on both sides of the ball. Headed back to Texas now, more on this game (and going forward) later.

ULM 42, UNT 37 (7:08 4th QU)

Dodge found Carey on a bubble screen that wen 41 yards for a quick TD. It's not over yet.

Looking pretty grim

ULM leads 42-30 after, you guessed it, another big play against UNT's defense. Browning hung up a long pass that Luther Ambrose hauled for a 53-yard score. How, I have no idea, since Brad Graham and Ryan Downing were right there with Ambrose, and Graham was looking back at the ball long before it arrived. Go figure.

ULM 35, UNT 30 (9:23 4th QU)

UNT's Olen put through a 45-yard field goal. The offense was on the move, but Brandin Byrd was stopped for a 3-yard loss on 3rd and 1. Riley Dodge converted a 3rd and 8 on the drive and then kept for 26 yards on the next play.

ULM 35, UNT 27 (13:42 4th QU)

Edwards scored from a yard. Still a lot of time left for UNT to pull itself together on both sides of the ball.

ULM at UNT 1

Jyruss Edwards ran 17 yards to one pylon before going out of bounds. UNT really inconsistent this half.

UNT loses fumble

Dunbar just lost the ball on 2nd and 13 after the teams each punted twice. ULM is deep in UNT territory after 20-yard completion. Second and 8 at UNT 25.

Just went to 4th quarter. ULM still leads 28-27.

Browning having way with UNT defense

ULM quarterback Kolton Browning just got out of every sticky situation he could on a 13-play drive, including a 23-yard scramble on 4th and 2. He found Frank Goodin for a 10-yard score, and ULM leads 28-27, early second quarter.

Browning keeps taking off to his right, and there's no one in green and white anywhere.

Stat check

Lance Dunbar ran for 131 yards and a TD in the first half. Riley Dodge threw for 100 and a TD. Brelan Chancellor has three kickoff returns for 121 yards and a TD.

On defense, Craig Robertson already has 10 tackles. UNT needs about five more of him out there.

UNT 27, ULM 21 (halftime)

A ULM offsides penalty kept UNT in business after an incompletion on third down. Dodge hit Darius Carey for 10 yards, Jamaal Jackson for 14 and then Jackson again for a 15-yard TD. Jackson beat his man on the fade route. Last 16 seconds of half just ran off.

Defense mans up a little

K.C. Obi and Shavod Atkinson just sacked Browning to force a punt on a ULM drive that went nowhere. Good pressure by Brandon Akpunku on two other plays.

Only thing sorrier than UNT's defense is...

ULM's special teams, apparently. UNT's Brelan Chancellor just ran the kickoff back 91 yards for a score. ULM now leads 21-20.

Yikes, the big plays in this game.

ULM 21, UNT 13 (3:49 2nd QU)

Drive worth forgetting for UNT's defense, which killed itself with an offsides penalty on fourth down and couldn't stop ULM's offense worth a flip. Browning just found Luther Ambrose on a little underneath cross from 10 yards for the score.

Offsides UNT

First down, ULM. Looks like UNT had the Warhawks stopped, too. Shame. Frank Gaines was the offender.

ULM running it up UNT's gut, but facing 4th down

Warhawks called timeout on 4th and 3 from UNT 29. Mean Green still trailing 14-13 and could use a stop here with ULM going for it.

By the way...

Lance Dunbar is over 100 yards rushing for UNT already, and we're just a few minutes into the second quarter.

ULM 14, UNT 13 (12:48 2nd QU)

Long kickoff return by ULM (terrible coverage by UNT) leads to another Warhawks TD. Frank Gooding just bulled his way in from 8 yards.

Dunbar is back, looks OK

So much for Dunbar being shaken up earlier. He just ran 83 yards for a TD and a 1-play UNT scoring drive. Looks like he wasn't touched. UNT leads 13-7, early second quarter.

The big play...again (ULM leads 7-6)

It wouldn't be a game without UNT's defense giving up a big scoring play. Je'Ron Hamm just outjumped UNT's D'Leon McCord for a 48-yard TD to cap a 3-play, 70-yard scoring drive.

First quarter just ended.

Another FG for UNT

Mean Green leads 6-0 with :58 showing in first quarter. Olen kicked a 23-yarder to end another drive that fell short in ULM's red zone and was set up by a Warhawks turnover.

Dunbar walking off on his own

Looks OK until we hear otherwise.

Dunbar down, looks hurt

Hasn't gotten up from a 1-yard run. Lots of trainers out with him now.

Interception UNT

Jeremy Phillips picked off ULM quarterback Kolton Browning, and UNT is deep into Warkhawk territory.

UNT 3, ULM 0 (9:36 1st QU)

Zach Olen kicked a 22-yard field goal to salvage a good drive that made it to the ULM 3 before a direct snap to Lance Dunbar went haywire and lost 9 yards.

We're away

UNT on offense first.

Blogging today from Monroe

We had a near scare on the wireless availability, but the folks at ULM came through about half an hour ago. Bumped into Conroy Hines out near the tailgate area about 90 minutes ago. He was drinking a Diet Coke (at first I thought Coors Light!) and taking a pregame walk. He coached down the road at Louisiana Tech and knows a lot of folks around here. Nice fall colors right now in northern Louisiana, not a bad drive. Both bands here today, so that's always nice for any college game. About 13 minutes 'til kickoff, and this plays is nearly empty.

This and that

A few musings on hoops, spikes, today's football game and Search 2010: 

• Not much to add to UNT's game Friday night in men's hoops, other than I figured the Mean Green might hang around a little longer at Kansas in the Jayhawks' 90-63 victory. I thought UNT might get out of the Phog with roughly a 15-point loss, but Kansas winning by this much is no surprise. In just a few weeks, UNT got a good look at what should be the top and bottom ends of the Big 12, including a two-period scrimmage against Oklahoma that UNT won by 20 or so. No telling what Texas Tech will be this season, but it's still early after UNT's OT win on Tuesday. Another good one at the Pit on Tuesday against Rice, and UNT should get the W if the shooting returns. Those UNT grads or Denton folks who don't see a game all season -- and let's face, a lot won't -- are going to miss out on a nice team worth watching.

• UNT's volleyball season is over after the Mean Green fell 3-1 to Middle Tennessee in the Sun Belt semifinals. UNT finished 20-13 and tied for the West Division title, which means a banner goes up at the Mean Green Village next season. Good first step in rebuilding that program and attracting more of top club talent from around the area and state. You can see UNT really getting a crack at a conference title and NCAA berth in the next few years if things keep trending upward. Wonder if any of those standing-room only matches (they do happen occasionally) need to move to a bigger place. If so, good problem to have.

• Can't predict what a UNT football victory at Monroe today will mean, but you figure it'll at least make interim coach Mike Canales a viable candidate for the job and hopefully not a symbolic one given lip service. No surprise, I got an emphatic thumbs up from several players who will return in 2011. They're also big boys who know coaching searches rarely, if ever, take into account players' desires. Dictatorships, not democracies. Whatever happens, playing well and having success lately has felt good, and you can't argue with that. With getting closer to six wins on the line, figure ULM to punch away. Keeping the Warhawks' DL from teeing off will be a priority.

• Speaking of the search, I'm getting some indication that it's officially on, but know one knows for sure if it's with or without Canales. Again, today will tell more, but at least two other strong candidates have emerged out front. Until there's more confirmation, this isn't the forum to discuss them openly.

Overlooked in last night's craziness

The UNT women's team got some good news with the signing of Fort Worth Western Hills guard Audrianna Simpson on Tuesday. Simpson (5-9) is ranked by one recruiting service, Premier Basketball Report, as the 44th-best player in Texas.

“She is an incredibly gifted athlete who will help us to continue to build on our defensive intensity and offensive aggressiveness,” UNT coach Shanice Stephens said in a release. “At the guard spot, she displays strong court vision and her impressive vertical allows her to be an incredible rebounder.”

I can't say I've seen Simpson play, but she must possess some good intangibles when you get past the numbers. An all-District 7-4A selection, Simpson averaged just 9 points and four rebounds per game, but she appears to be a defensive-stopper type (college teams can use those) with four steals per contest.

Last season at Western Hills Simpson was named to the District 7-4A second team as she averaged nine points a game. Simpson pulled down four rebounds a game and had three steals a contest last season.

UNT 92, Texas Tech 83 (final)

Big, big nonconference victory for UNT, though you wonder if it'll scare more big-name opponents away from the Super Pit in the future. Students are storming the floor right now. Can't see White anywhere, which is no surprise when you're under 6 feet tall. They're passing Scrappy along the top of the pile of humanity. Had some good moments in this building the last few years, but this one will really endure. Rest of Sun Belt conference will notice this one, I'd guess. Back with more later.

UNT finishing this off (leads 92-82, 35 seconds left)

UNT took complete and utter control of the overtime period and now leads by 10 with the game winding down. Josh White has 32 points and won't soon forget the night he took an ugly stick to the visiting Red Raiders. Final score in a few minutes.

UNT 84, Tech 80 (2:11 first OT)

Brad Reese just hit a crazy 3-pointer for Tech that looked like it was going in horizontally. More like a throw than a shot. Tech staying in there.

UNT 82, Tech 74 (3:19 first OT)

White (pullup 3), Thompson (baseline J) and White (3 pointer off Johnson's rebound, break and baseline dish) have Tech on the ropes early in OT. Looking good so far for the Mean Green.

UNT 74, Tech 74 (end regulation)

To OT we go after White's driving bucket to end regulation. Tech's Singletary missed 3 of 6 FTs in the closing 2 minutes.

UNT 72, Tech 72 (1:12 2nd)

Going to wire on this one. Tech's Mike Singletary converted 1 of 2 FTs, and Odufuwa missed a j-hook at the other end. Tight, tight, tight.

Tech 71, UNT 70 (2:56 2nd)

UNT just called a timeout after a near-turnover. Tech went ahead on a Brad Reese bucket. Thompson hit a couple of more FTs for UNT. Pretty back and forth right now.

Tech 67, UNT 66 (3:59 2nd)

Josh White and heretofore quiet Tristan Thompson are keeping UNT in it. White just pinballed into the lane like a crash-test dummy (yeah, that's a bad double metaphor) and threw up a crazy shot that went in. Thompson drove in for an acrobatic scoop layup. Dominique Johnson then made two FTs, and it's a 1-point game.

Tech 60, UNT 59 (7:51 2nd)

Great game as we wind down. UNT has cut into a 7-point Tech lead with a bucket from Odufuwa, two FTs from White, and a fast-break hoop by Hogans off a great assist by Johnson. Tech just missed a dunk and then traveled.

UNT 51, Tech 51 (11:47 2nd)

UNT has stormed back. Odufuwa has assisted Hogans twice underneath, and UNT's offense has really picked up steam. Johnson dribbled side-to-side, dished to White, who drove and dropped it off to Alonzo Edwards for a dunk and Tech foul. Edwards made the FT to cut Tech's lead to 51-48. Tech got a turnover, couldn't convert the fast break, and White took the rebound and flew downcourt. He dished to Johnson, whose 3 tied the game. It's electric in here.

Tech 46, UNT 41 (15:50 2nd)

Odufuwa made two FTs, and it looked as if White was going to convert a 1-on-1 break off a steal by Hogans, but they called White with an offensive foul instead. Didn't look like it.

Tech 46, UNT 39 (17:57 2nd)

It's a 6-0 run for Tech, which has forced two UNT turnovers in a short span to start the second half. Odufuwa was robbed out of nowhere on a UNT 3-on-1 break. UNT's offense (and defense) needs a spark.

Tech 40, UNT 39 (Halftime)

Odufuwa's layup got UNT within 38-37, but Tech answered on a Jaye Crockett jumper. Offensively, Josh White, Dominique Johnson and Odufuwa took control down the first-half stretch. White had a 3-pointer, and Johnson a couple of free throws. White hit a jumper with a few seconds showing to cut Tech's lead at the break to 1. UNT having some problems with Tech's motion offense, especially in transition. Gotta tighten the screws.

Tech 34, UNT 31 (3:36 1st)

Lewandowski just threw down a dunk to conclude a little back-and-forth offense. Josh White hit a 3 for UNT, and George Odufuwa nailed a jump-hook. Tech got a 3 off a nice screen in that stretch and has been able to pull ahead slightly as we head to the break.

Offenses picking up

Kedrick Hogans (3-point play) and Johnson (3-pointer) have UNT up 20-18, but Tech just now tied it. Things are really picking up. Just now, Hogans saved a loose ball from going out of bounds, tossing it blind behind his back to Jacob Holmen for a layup that has this place on its feet. UNT leads 22-20. Holmen's bucket resulted from a failed UNT alley-oop play.

UNT 14, Tech 13 (11:48 1st)

Dominique Johnson just popped a little jumper behind the foul line off an inbounds play, and UNT is back up. Neither team has discernible control of this contest. The tempo, even in half-court, is pretty brisk, and Tech's man defense is keeping UNT from going off.

Tech's big man picks up 2nd foul (14:20 first)

Robert Lewandowski, Tech's 6-10 center, just commited and offensive foul and is sitting down. One thing you can always seem to count on is Tech trying to plug the middle with some guy who moves like Frankenstein. Lewandowski actually moves OK, but the you still get the picture. Tech leads 11-10.

Tech 9, UNT 8 (15:35 1st)

Tech's defense has stiffened up after UNT jumped out to a 6-2 lead on Shannon Shorter's coast-to-coast layup. This one should be close to the end, I'd guess.

Tipping off...familiar faces in the house

Brief mention of this...I covered Tech for the Star-Telegram for three years, so I see some familiar faces tonight, including coach Pat Knight...Just tipped off. George Odufuwa scores first, UNT up 2-0. Tech ties it quickly. Back later.

UNT-Texas Tech hoops...banners about to go up

Just getting situated for the start of UNT's home game against Texas Tech. Now being brought out are the 2009-2010 banners commemorating last year's Sun Belt Conference regular-season title (West Division, I presume), Sun Belt Conference tournament title, and NCAA Tournament appearance. Up they go. Nice way to kick off a big nonconference game.

Another look at the new WAC

Hand it to Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson – just when you thought they were about to fold the tents at the league office in Denver, he figured out a way to survive the conference-realignment nuclear winter. Barely.

The wacky WAC is now wackier than ever, and it’s had some wacky times the last 40 or so years. Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada are headed out in the next year or two, and Benson this week dipped into the ranks of the FCS or in Texas-San Antonio’s case, the no-CS. UTSA and Texas State will join the WAC after Fresno and Nevada bolt in 2012. UTSA has a coach (Larry Coker) and a borrowed stadium (the Alamodome), but matching practice unis at this point might be a stretch.

Obviously, the first reaction is to snicker a bit at Benson, who came off like a massive hypocrite last summer when all of this BYU-to-the-WAC in all sports but football came about. The Mountain West struck a preemptive blow by pilfering Fresno and Nevada, and Benson started throwing around words like selfish to describe those schools’ actions. Never mind he started the ball rolling with his clandestine dealings with BYU.

It all eventually fell apart for Benson, who at one point sounded so low, so despairing in interviews that we were certain the WAC was set to go the way of the Southwest Conference, especially with Hawaii making noise about independence, too.

But hey, the guy got back on his speaker phone, set up conference calls and meetings, made pitches and nearly pulled in a third replacement school, Montana. That Grizzlies have a good thing going in the FCS and decided playoff football resonated better with their fans. Can’t blame them.

Now, Denver is set to leave the Sun Belt and join the WAC. It’s really no biggie; Denver is a hockey school that fits better into the WAC geography, but the Pioneers must parachute into Texas a few times a year for hoops or soccer or whatever.

Finally, the point of this little rant is this: Where should North Texas stand in all of it? What we know is Benson pitched WAC membership to UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal on at least two occasions, maybe three. I wouldn’t rule out another phone call in the near future. The WAC needs a ninth football member. UNT, for now, is going the way of consultant Chuck Neinas’ advice and forgoing realignment issues to build a winner and a brand in the Sun Belt first.

Good advice, but are there any real absolutes here? I keep hearing the WAC is dead, Sun Belt is better, blah, blah…but does anyone really know that? Not making a case for what UNT should or shouldn’t do, but here's what I can see so far.

The WAC setup going forward has eight football-playing members, and four are no farther west than Las Cruces, N.M. Half the league is a reasonable-to-favorable distance from Denton, including New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech and the two newcomers. For those schools, perhaps you work out a yearly football schedule that goes west to San Jose State, Idaho, Hawaii or Utah State no more than twice a season. UTSA and Texas State will struggle early, probably for several years, but I’m fairly certain FAU and FIU were once dismissed as drags on the FBS membership. To many, they probably still are.

Has the Sun Belt been good to UNT? Sure, but why pooh-pooh the WAC as an alternative out of either blind loyalty, perception or scenarios yet to unfold? Again, I could care less if this goes either way, but I want to see an eventual side-to-side comparison of television opportunites/revenue, bowl tie-ins or competitive balance that the WAC might (or might not) have to offer.

As for the travel excuse for non-football sports, conference geographies have turned so ridiculous in the past decade that schools just deal with it. If you’re one of those fans obsessed with money-based arguments, bean-counting and bottom lines when it comes to flying the softball team to Logan, Utah (does USU play softball?), then maybe you should try to enjoy life a bit more. Frankly, I couldn't care less. If it concerns the suits, that's their call. Miami, San Jose, whatever. Does it suck that someone has to go to Honolulu once in a while? Probably, but it’s called fiscal planning. A 36,000-student university should be able to find a way.

All I know is Benson and the WAC are now bona fide survivors. They seemed all but exterminated from the college sports map, but here they are, like stubborn cockroaches. They might look a little goofy, but we know how big the roaches down here can get.

UNT wins exhibition, looks to clean up before opener

Shorter led UNT with 23 points. (Photo/Rick Yeatts)

DENTON –  Men’s college basketball exhibitions, where home teams get essentially a practice game against some lower-division who’s-that-team, can get a little too close for comfort. Just ask Tennessee this year or Syracuse last year or whomever has taken one of these on the chin.

No such embarrassment befell North Texas on Wednesday against Division II Arkansas-Monticello, which hung around at times but took its defeat and went home. UNT improved to 14-0 in exhibition play under coach Johnny Jones with an 80-73 victory at the Super Pit.

Shannon Shorter, who made three 3-pointers all of last season, was 4-for-6 from long range and led UNT with 23 points. Dominque Johnson, who missed most of last season with an injury, scored 17. George Odufuwa had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

UNT opens the 2010-2011 season on Friday at noon against Division II Henderson State and will win easily if it can cut roughly in half  Wednesday's 16 turnovers. Exhibitions aren’t known for the cleanest play, either, and UNT is going with a longer rotation that on a given night could see see an entirely different second team on the floor.

On Wednesday, that rotation didn’t include forward Cameron Spencer, who is trying to heal up some nagging injuries. Odufuwa, guards Shorter, Josh White and Tristan Thompson and forward Kedrick Hogans (nine rebounds, four blocks) took the first rotation.

Johnson, Alzee Williams, Ben Knox, Jacob Holmen and Alonzo Edwards took the second shift. Johnson and Williams (7 points) did all the scoring in that second group.

“That’s pretty much the rotation right now,” said Jones, who secured signatures from four standout prep players on Wednesday’s opening of the early signing period. “We feel like we have 10 or 11 guys who can be impact players. We’re deep, and those guys have challenged each other every day in practice.”

Dallas Kimball’s Jordan Williams, Garland Lakeview Centennial’s Chris Jones, South Grand Prairie Trey Norris and Eastland’s Forrest Robinson all signed with UNT on Wednesday, though UNT still requires a parental signature from Jones’ mother. Casper (Wyo.) College sophomore Brandan Walton will also be officially signed when his paperwork arrives.

Anticipation for their arrival will build this season, but until then, veteran players who have stepped up their games like Shorter – extra off-season work on his shooting could pay dividends – could make UNT a mid-major that turns heads. On Wednesday, Monticello played like a lower-rung team wanting a piece of one of the big boys, and UNT’s eagerness to get under the lights showed at times.

“Teams like [Monticello] don’t get a lot of D-I opportunities,” Jones said. “It’s their Super Bowl game. They want to knock you off. They really bring an energy level to these games. I’d much rather play a game like this than win by 40 or 50. It doesn’t count on your record, but you don’t want to get in a situation where you lose, either.”

-- TMGR

Shorter, Johnson taking over

Shorter has 22 points and Dominique Johnson has 17 with UNT now leading 69-57. UNT hasn't been able to stretch it by much more than 10 tonight. Monticello looks like it could be solid in the D-II Gulf South Conference this year, even though it lost five starters from a 14-11 team. UNT should improve to 14-0 in exhibitions under Johnny Jones. Three minutes to go, UNT ahead 71-61.

UNT clamping down

UNT's defense is putting it on the Boll Weevils (seriously?). Shorter just took a loose ball coast-to-coast for a layup, and UNT leads 46-33 with 14:51 remaining.

UNT 37, Arkansas-Monticello 28 (halftime)

Shannon Shorter has 12 points, and UNT has picked up the shooting (43 percent). Shorter made three 3-pointers all last season and is 3-of-5 tonight. Too bad these three don't count tonight.

UNT heating up now

Three-pointers by Shannon Shorter (two) and Dominique Johnson have put UNT up 26-20. Little schools like Monticello love these exhibition games and often play like they do (see Tennessee this week), but they'll almost always wilt by halftime.

They look like it's early

UNT shooting 25 percent (4-of-16), including 0-of-7 from 3-point range. Arkansas-Monticello still hanging around. Game tied at 11. Ten minutes into the season, this is what you get.

Blogging from men's hoops exhibition

UNT switched out an entire team to get a look at everyone. Starters were White, Shorter, Odufuwa, Hogans and Thompson. On the floor now: Knox, Williams, Edwards, Johnson and Holmen. Typical exhibition, ragged, letting lesser opponent hang around. UNT leads 11-9.

Aren't lists fun?

I'm seeing a number of so-called "new" lists pop up, and they're kind of funny, mostly because they're not all that new. Thought I'd throw up this one up, even though it first appeared at TMGR way back on Oct. 20. No wonder so many "lists" look so familiar.

Snarky? Whatever.

UNT getting mixed respect

The fall golf season officially wrapped up earlier this month with another victory for UNT's women, it's third in four tournaments. For the fall, UNT won three events and was fifth at another one. UNT's men finished a few weeks earlier, going 1-2-3 in three events this fall. The spring season doesn't start until February.

That brings us to the latest various college golf rankings. I guess scheduling is everything in college golf, because UNT's women get about as much respect as John Daly these days. Given a 3-1 fall, Golfweek appears to get it somewhat right and has UNT at 29th in Division I in its latest rankings. The computerized Golfstat rankings that take into account a million or so different variables has UNT's women at 50. Don't ask how that's possible when you've won three times, but it is.

Next up is the Golf World/Nike NGCA women's coaches' poll, which must be a good-old-girls club similar to the men's side (GCAA coaches' poll). The NGCA poll has UNT's women exactly...nowhere in sight. Not even a vote. Yeah, right. Someone justify that, please.

Golfweek (29th) and Golfstat (28th) still have UNT's men still sitting just outside those top 25s. The GCAA coaches' poll appears quite determined to keep UNT in the "receiving votes" category until the forseeable future, though that numbers is rising. UNT has gone from one vote received to 23.

Honestly, I don't pretend to understand anything about college golf polls, but I'm not trying to be ignorant either. All I know is UNT plays pretty good golf on both sides of the gender line. It has been a while since that happened, so perhaps that's the reason for such inconsistency in polling recognition.

It's over

Dunbar dropped a short pass from Dodge, who couldn't find anyone deep or on a medium route. Really poor finish for Dunbar, who's one of UNT's steadier players. Troy wins 41-35.

Slipping away, methinks

UNT had three minutes to turn that interception into an upset victory, but it's fourth and 14 now. UNT called timeout at its own 37. A chop block called on Dunbar knocked UNT back 15 yards. It's always something.

Troy trying to hang on

3:09 left, and Troy leads 41-35. Trojans face third and eight from their 47. Robinson drops back, avoids trouble, moves up and throws a weak pass that was picked off by UNT's Zach Orr. First and 10 UNT at own 41.

Dodge finds Stradford

We haven't seen as much playmaking this season from OU transfer wideout Tyler Stradford as expected. Dodge just found him for a 24-yard touchdown in the back corner of the end zone. UNT is within 41-35 with 5:29 to play. Ridiculous offense in this game.

Drake walking off on his own

Doubt he'll be back.

Kelvin Drake down in obvious pain

UNT senior offensive guard Kelvin Drake just went down. He's got his helmet off, and you can see he's in agony. Drake has a history of foot or ankle injuries, and I'd be shocked if this isn't related.

Troy 41, UNT 28 (8:40 in 4th QU)

Troy tight end Donnie Crosby gets his first catch tonight on an 18-yard TD. UNT didn't have him covered as he camped out around the goal line. Probably because Jernigan took the snap.

Troy driving for the nail

Trojans at the UNT 18 facing third and 7. Just called timeout. They'll go on fourth if necessary.

Don't know if he'll ever be DeMarcus Ware, but...

Jonathan Massaquoi, a redshirt sophomore, looks like the next great Troy defensive lineman. He's sacked Riley Dodge three times tonight. UNT has no answer for him.

Big stop for UNT's D

Kelvin Jackson and a host of other Mean Green defenders stuffed Troy on fourth and 1 -- this after offsides on UNT on fourth-and-six -- and UNT takes possession on downs.

Troy 34, UNT 28 (end third QU)

Troy is driving from the UNT 31 to start the fourth quarter. Third and six coming up.

Whazzup with Troy's blown coverages?

Lance Dunbar just camped out along the far sideline and took a pass 66 yards to the house. First it was Drew Miller, now Dunbar. Troy leads 34-28 late in the third. FYI, UNT has completed more than one pass (2) to a TE for the first time this season.

Troy pulls ahead again; UNT misses FG

Jernigan took a wildcat 55 yards to the UNT 2, and Troy scored a play later for 34-21. UNT's offense had it going into Troy territory, but Dodge was sacked again on third and five, and Zach Olen missed a 42-yard field goal attempt that had plenty of distance.

We have a tight-end passing game sighting

Riley Dodge found walk-on Drew Miller alone for 31 yards and a score to pull UNT within 27-21. First TD catch by a tight end this season, I believe.

Troy calls idiotic timeout after dominating UNT defense

Troy called a timeout (why?) after driving at will inside UNT's 20. On second-and-four at the UNT 17, Troy came back from the huddle, ran a wildcat play that lost five yards, and then completed a pass for two yards. Settled for a 38-yard field goal. Don't get it, but at least UNT held Troy to 3. Trojans lead 27-14 in third quarter.

Troy 24, UNT 14 (halftime)

UNT's offense could do anything on its last drive. Riley Dodge was sacked, and they're in the locker room. Not out of it by any stretch. Defense is feast or famine, and the offense is digging itself too many third-and-long situations. At least two third-down passes have come up short on poor calls or routes. Special teams needs to cover Troy return man Jerrel Jernigan better, but that's not totally unexpected. All things considered, could be way worse.

Defense backs Troy way back

UNT took over after a punt with 2:20 to play in the first half. A Troy fumble and tackles for losses by Brandon Akpunku and Craig Robertson had Troy backed up to its goal line.

UNT stalls after review

Riley Dodge appeared to complete a long pass to Darius Carey deep in Troy territory, but a review ruled the pass incomplete. Not sure why, but we don't have replay in the booth up here, and it's pretty far to the replay board. Trent Deans' punt was down about an inch from the goal line by UNT's Ira Smith. Nice special-teams play.

Troy comes out on top of crazy sequence

Troy brought a UNT kickoff out to the Mean Green's 46 then kept converting impossible first downs. Jerrel Jernigan took a direct snap off his fingers, chased it down and ran to the UNT 9, where he was tackled hard out of bounds by Royce Hill. A Troy player coming to Jernigan's defense was slapped with a personal foul, and Troy backed up to the UNT 20 on second down. Robinson then threw a high pass up into end zone traffic, and Eric Thomas went up high to grab the ball out of nowhere for a 20-yard TD. Troy leads 24-14.

UNT back in it

UNT took advantage of the short field and roughing-the-passer on Troy. Darius Carey took an end-around 12 yards -- fairly easily -- to pull UNT within 17-14. Eleven minutes left in the second quarter.

UNT in business at Troy 24

A.J. Penson just picked off a Troy pass at the Trojans' end of the field.

Troy 17, UNT 7 (early 2nd QU)

Brandon Akpunku applied the pressure on a third down, and Robinson was forced to throw it away. Troy kicked a short field goal and leads by 10. We've just gone to the second quarter.

Troy takes over on downs

Riley Dodge couldn't find an open receiver on fourth down (UNT was too close to Troy's end zone to punt and too far for a field goal). Troy's defense is giving up a play here and there, but holding.

Defense looking pretty poor so far

Troy quarterback Chad Robinson just lofted a beautiful timing throw for a 39-yard touchdown to put the Trojans up 14-7. Either D'Leon McCord or Ryan Downing or both got roasted in the UNT secondary.

Score-fest?

Not sure what we're in for here, but UNT scored in five plays. Lance Dunbar finished off the drive with runs of 25 and six yards. The longer one was called out of bounds at the Troy 6, and Boomer was fired prematurely when its crew thought Dunbar had scored. No matter, he was in the next play.

Well, that didn't take long

Troy goes up 7-0 on first play of game, 69-yard flea flicker.

Teams on the field for kickoff

UNT-Troy getting started soon in Denton.

UNT 15th in first mid-major rankings

North Texas checks in No. 15 (highest ever) in the collegeinsider.com mid-major rankings for men's basketball. Someone out there is paying attention.

Mid-major poll

Some housecleaning

A story of, um, general interest will post at TMGR later tonight, which allows time now for some other stuff here on the blog. Here come the little bullets:

_ UNT (12-5-2, 7-2-1 Sun Belt) has a big women's soccer game on Friday at No. 22 Denver (16-2, 10-0). The Mean Green is on an eight-game unbeaten streak. UNT has a chance to knock off a big rival that's ranked and improve its Sun Belt Tournament seeding from third to second. After some early stumbles, UNT has found some traction. UNT last played a top-25 team in 2009, falling 2-0 to No. 25 Ohio State. UNT is 3-11 all-time against top-25 teams, last winning in 2003 against No. 20 Denver (3-2 overtime).

_ UNT finished the fall men's golf season (three events) with a first, second and third place. Sophomore Carlos Ortiz won twice, and winning once is hard enough. UNT sits 27th nationally in the Golfstat compu-rankings and is also 27th in the Golfweek/Sagarin team rankings. UNT has three votes in the last Golf World/Nike Division I Coaches' Poll, released Sept. 30.

After one day at the World Amateur Team Championships on Thursday, Ortiz and UNT teammate Rodolfo Cazaubon sit in the top 40 of the 206-player event. They're the low scorers (71 and 72, respectively) for Team Mexico (11th place) so far.

_ Shout-out to UNT's volleyball team. Six straight victories and a two-match lead in the Sun Belt West (17-9 overall, 9-2 SBC). Two big home games this weekend, starting with Middle Tennessee at 7 p.m. Friday and Western Kentucky at 1 p.m. Sunday. Great stuff going on in UNT's lesser-profile sports.

New SBC men's hoops standards to be enacted

The talk during much of Tuesday's Sun Belt Conference on-line media day for men's basketball figures to be about these new league standards that were announced Monday. Starting with the 2011-2012 season, these standards will encompass the following:

1. From 2003-2005, the SBC implemented a "150 rule," that's being brought back. It can be met by either of two ways or both. A team's nonconference opponents must have an three-year average Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) of 150 or lower, or the team can finish the season with an RPI of 150 or lower. The SBC says the previous implementation resulted in the league have a lower combined RPI, better average team RPI, better league and team strength of schedule, better attendance and nonconference winning percentage than any year in seven seasons.

2. The league plans to enter into agreements with another league or leagues to assist in scheduling and provide one home and one away non-league game with those other conferences.

3. The Sun Belt plays too many games outside (below) Division I -- a league-record 22 last year -- and wants them eliminated.

4. The Sun Belt is stepping in to assist member schools with season ticket sales in an effort to bring official attendance more in line with the NCAA D-I average of 5,038. No school met or exceeded that average last season. One, presumably Western Kentucky, averaged at least 5,000 fans in any season the last five years.

5. The league has hired a consultant to act as a director of basketball operations, and further discussion of these new measures are effectively tabled starting in 2011 for at least four seasons.

Curious to see how the league can help individual schools, especially those with histories of lagging ticket sales in all sports, to boost season sales for men's hoops teams that might not be terribly marketable, competitive, or in markets that much care.

As for ditching games against D-II, D-III or NAIA teams (yeah, UNT is guilty as charged), more power. Those games are a waste of time and shouldn't be glorified scrimmages.

Get out your calculators to figure those average RPIs when scheduling. Guessing more than a few teams will be dumped off schedules in the next several months.

Sounds like the league has really put a foot down on this stuff.

What UNT can't pay any longer

In negotiating a salary, the first offer is never your highest. The first demand is never your lowest. So, what's the game plan for North Texas athletic director Rick Villarreal as he begins wading through applicants/candidates for a new head football coach?

That's up to UNT's Board of Regents, and no exact ceiling figure appears to be out there, as far as a salary or compensation package Villarreal can tuck away for negotiations. He probably has a good idea by now, but the Regents won't give a yay or nay until he brings them a number late in the process.

Rumors persist it'll be $500,000 or more per year, but if UNT wants to compete with many of today's top assistant coach/coordinator salaries, it might need to be in the upper six figures. Just speculation, though.

Not speculation is what UNT can no longer pay, which is just above the rough average compensation in the Sun Belt Conference before incentives or bonuses. Todd Dodge's contract was due to pay him around $295,000 this season. He has 22 months left in the original deal, for which he'll be paid around $340,000 in base salary unless he finds another job, which he should.

The point is UNT doesn't even pay the highest salary in the Sun Belt but really should, given its stature as the third or fourth-largest school in this state. Florida International's Mario Cristobal is the league's highest-paid coach at just over $400,000. That's not stellar, but it's quite a commitment for a program with virtually zero history and tradition compared to UNT.

After hunting around, it looks like the Sun Belt average head coach pay is roughly $286,000 a year, and that includes new coach Todd Berry at sorry-paying Louisiana-Monroe (SBC-low $188,000). Frankly, that stinks and UNT can do better. In fact, UNT needs to blow that out of the water, or Villarreal might as well just take the interim tag off Mike Canales right now and be done with it. I'm not saying what Canales deserves to be paid or not paid, just that the process will be a waste of time if Villarreal isn't given sufficient means to negotiate -- or not be walked out on.

Final Todd Dodge conversation (for now)

Caught up with Todd Dodge late Wednesday after his firing at UNT was official. Here’s a transcript of the conversation:

On how the process unfolded:

[Rick Villarreal] came out to practice and asked me come by and see him. He was ready to make a move on it. At this point, I thought I’d be with the team through end of the season. It was not a direction he wanted to go, and that’s fine. There hasn’t been a whole lot of discussion [between them], really any at all, as we’ve gone through the entire season. I don’t think there’s any changing someone’s mind as you go through decisions they have to make. The decision was to go ahead and terminate me right now. It’s not like it’s completely shocking. I think when you get into something like this [season], you get into a grind and don’t think about anything passed today.

On accepting that the change had to be made:

I’m fine. I hope this team goes on and wins all five, that they have success. These players deserve to have some good things happen to them. I’m not angry. I’m not going to go there. I’m disappointed from the standpoint of I would have liked to take this season in its own capsule, with everything we’ve been through; I wanted to be with my team and coach the whole thing. But I’m not naïve to the business. Decisions have to be made. I’m not bitter.

On what’s next:

Over the next five weeks or few months, I’ll be in a situation that I’ve never been in, the parent of a college football player that gets to go support his son and the team he plays on. As the dust settles, I’ll be looking forward what the next step in my coaching career is.

On becoming a spectator at his son Riley’s UNT games:

It’ll be tough to find me [joking]. No, Elizabeth and I will drive to Nashville next Friday [for Western Kentucky]. I imagine it’ll be a little easier on the road. I don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention. I haven’t sat in the stands at a football game in probably forever, with the exception of going to scout somebody at Southlake Carroll. It’s my 25^th year of coaching and the first week during fall I’m not going to work or practice. It’ll definitely be different. Starting next weekend, it’ll be strange. I’ve got time off right now whether I want it or not.

On his next step professionally:

My desires are one of two things. Remain at the college level as a quarterbacks coach or go back into high school head-coaching in Texas. Either one sound appealing to me. I can’t imagine staying out of the business for very long. I’ve got faith God’s going to open doors. I’ll be patient and see how that happens.

On the failure to win at UNT after so much success previously:

From a competitor standpoint, that’s the biggest thing. I don’t have any regrets at UNT, except that we didn’t win enough games. A lot of good things were done. We were able to make differences in young men’s lives. Sometimes in coaching, those differences don’t come to be until five or 10 years after you’ve coached a particular group of players. We ran the program, I hope, with integrity, and I’m proud of that. One thing about going from being highly successful to not successful as far as wins and losses, I learned a long time ago you don’t get too high with your highs and too low with your lows. The last three or four years have been very disappointing, but you don’t stop believing in yourself. This window of time doesn’t define my career. Maybe there’s a difference of opinion on that, but the only ones that matter are the people themselves you coach and worked with.

On if he’ll enjoy the time off:

I look forward to letting the dust settle and getting back to working in one of those capacities. I have faith, and you don’t have to pigeon-hole yourself. I want to still coach, and I’m excited about the next journey.

On what’s next for his son, if anything:

Nothing more than he’s been released by a doctor [from wrist surgery] to be able to play. I told him he has a great opportunity to show great leadership right now. That’s what I expect he’ll do and compete. As a father, I’m looking forward to what’s in store for Riley. Now it’s a situation where he’s playing for a team and the coaches he’s involved with. I hired those guys, and I love ‘em all. I just want to see this bunch and my son do well.

Monday football update

Sat down with Todd Dodge today for the usual post-radio show update. A few things:

_ There's a possibility or some likelihood that Riley Dodge could be back at quarterback on Oct. 30 for UNT's game at Western Kentucky. Dodge goes back to the doctor on Tuesday to see when the brace he's in comes off. The pin in his wrist needs seven to 10 days to "take," and it's been seven days. He'll actually be practicing some 7-on-7 today before Tuesday's re-evaluation. The current brace his too large to take shotgun snaps.

"Pretty good chance," Todd Dodge said. "I'm getting a good feel from the doctor that he was real pleased with the surgery and what he was able to do with the pin. He'll have a whole week to figure out what he's going to allow him to play in, with how much or how little protection."

If he returns, Dodge will wear some kind of protective brace. The key is keeping the injured non-throwing wrist covered but allowing the fullest range of motion in the knuckles, especially the thumb when he takes snaps. Once the pin in Dodge's wrist is set and healed, he should be ready to go, and these two weeks should be enough time.

_ Where injuries are concerned, went over the hardship/redshirt possibilities with Todd Dodge, and it's a long list:

1. Derek Thompson, DaWaylon Cook and Mike Outlaw are all medical-hardship eligible. Thompson and Cook are at the top of the list. Outlaw has not played this season due to a lingering injury. If UNT can hold him the rest of the season, and he's able to recover to the point where he can be productive, Dodge said Outlaw is a hardship possibility.
2. Benny Jones, a senior, has informed Dodge that he plans to ask the NCAA for a hardship sixth year.
3. Nick Leppo, currently a redshirt freshman, has three years of eligibility remaining (2011-2013) but can ask for a sixth year in 2014.
4. Greg Brown, a junior, has already redshirted but can ask for a sixth year in 2012.
5. Micah Mosley, a junior, has not redshirted but can ask for a hardship year in 2011. Dodge said he hopes Mosley does, because he can envision him going back to RB.
6. Tyler Stradford and James Hamilton played in too many games to qualify for hardship status. Both have a year of eligibility remaining.
7. Steven Ford, a junior, is eligible to request a hardship after his senior season next year. Chris Bynes, a junior, played in too many games (four) and is not eligible at this time.

Back later with game report/column

Not much new to report as we go to the fourth quarter. FIU still leads 34-3, and not much hope of a comeback by the Mean Green tonight. Back later.

Not pretty

The offense hasn't been there, but UNT's defense hasn't exactly shined tonight. FIU has been ridiculous in third down and converted again on the last drive for 26 yards. Panthers just ran in a short TD to go up 34-3, late third quarter.

Can't get much worse

Offensive coordinator Mike Canales is up in the press box doing a facepalm on the TV replay after UNT's offense flamed out again, this time when Baine was chased sideways and lost the ball out of bounds for a 9-yard loss from the FIU 7. Olen then misses a 33-yard field goal that might have been partially blocked.

Atterberry has broken left arm

Another starter done for UNT. Must make 15 or 16.

Good sign

Atterberry just stood up on his own to get on the stretcher. Can't tell what the injury is, but he seems relatively alert. Off he goes.

Atterberry hammered on late hit

UNT punter Will Atterberry is still down after several minutes, having been undercut by FIU's Jonathan Faucher. Atterberry was in the air when Faucher went under his plant leg. Stretcher coming out now. Trent Deans is probably UNT's punter for the time being.

Five punts to start second half

FIU's defense just held for a third time, and UNT has held twice. FIU is getting to Baine on nearly every play, and he's just getting rid of it or running for his life. FIU still leads 27-3.

FIU forces fumble, adds FG

FIU leads 27-3 at halftime of UNT's homecoming. Easily worst performance this season by the Mean Green, and that's saying something. Baine is stripped near the UNT goal line, but UNT recovers the fumble and ends up punting. Thanks to two penalties, FIU has to back up out of UNT territory to its own 28, and faces 2nd and 21. Carroll then finds Times in stride for 46 yards to set up a 33-yard field goal before the half.

UNT's last drive with 47 seconds remaining went nowhere.

At the half, UNT has 37 total yards. Lance Dunbar has 2 yards rushing. FIU's defense is really shutting this team down.

Last drive of half for UNT

4:26 to go after UNT's defense held FIU at midfield to force a punt. Mean Green looking to get something -- anything -- going on offense.

UNT finally gets a first down

13:26 in the second, pass to B.J. Lewis. Offense forced to punt after Chase Baine is sacked again, and just gets off an incompletion while nearly sacked again. Serious struggles tonight for the Mean Green. Injuries really catching up to this team, appears.

Looks like a beatdown

Aided by another roughing-the-passer flag on K.C. Obi, FIU makes it 24-3. Carroll hit T.Y. Hilton in stride after he froze Ryan Downing from 43 yards. Hilton dove in from about the 5. Dude can fly.

FIU 17, UNT 3 (end 1st)

UNT has two net yards. Not much else to say.

FIU tacks on another

Wayne Times takes it in from 10 yards on the wildcat, stiff-arming his way in for a 17-3 Panthers lead.

UNT D forces FG

FIU kicks a short one for a 10-3 lead at 7:11 in the first quarter. Should have been a complete stop by UNT's defense, but roughing-the-passer kept the Panthers moving.

That was big-time...boneheaded

K.C. Obi gets flagged for roughing the passer on a third-down FIU incompletion. First down, Panthers.

Olen kicking off, too

Just put one in the end zone for a touchback. Taken over that duty for Will Atterberry this week, appears.

Olen has the leg working

UNT's Zach Olen just kicked a 38-yard field goal, his fifth in two games (5-for-5) to pull UNT within 7-3. Brelan Chancellor returned the kickoff 73 yards, but UNT's offense couldn't punch it in from the FIU 23.