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| Monday, August 13 Updated: August 14, 10:13 AM ET Defense is the key to Mean Green's success By Adam Rittenberg Special to ESPN.com |
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North Texas Mean Green 2000 record: 3-8 (1-4 Big West). Coach: Darrell Dickey (4th year, 8-25). Starters returning: 6 offense, 6 defense, 1 kicker. Outlook: North Texas heads into a new league with an old goal -- finding consistency. The Mean Green Eagles fluctuated through a 3-8 campaign last season in which their three wins were spaced out over seven weeks. For UNT to play solid football for an extended period, its defense must take charge. Perennial All-American LB Brad Kassell returns after recording 115 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions last season. Kassell and star CB Don McGee will need to guide a unit that has seven underclassmen in the starting lineup. North Texas finally has a true No. 1 QB in sophomore Scott Hall, who led the Mean Green in total offense his freshman season. With the school's all-time leading rusher Ja'Quay Wilburn lost to graduation, Hall needs to put up some big-time rushing and passing numbers. He will need protection from an offensive line that returns four starters, including 319-pound sophomore guard Nick Zuniga. Keep an eye on: DT Brandon Kennedy. He may only be a sophomore, but this 5-foot-10, 325-pound tractor is a grizzled veteran -- and the man in charge of the North Texas defensive line. As a true freshman, Kennedy recorded 33 tackles and one sack, leading the Mean Green with 10 tackles for a loss. Kennedy was a second-team All-Big West selection last season and should earn All-Sun Belt honors this year. Key game: Provided that North Texas survives a harsh trio of games to open the season, an upset chance arrives against Texas Tech on Sept. 22. After its fourth-quarter comeback fell short last season, UNT will be out for revenge as the two teams meet at Texas Stadium, a neutral site. It's a good season if... The Mean Green posts a few non-conference wins. Two non-conference wins would be a huge boost for the team before opening conference play against Louisiana-Monroe. Hall must step into his role as the team leader and establish an effective rushing attack behind a veteran line. While Kassell will surely get the job done, his test will be motivating his teammates to perform. A realistic goal for UNT would be four or five wins in 2000. |
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