Mean Green defense provides tough challenge for Horned Frogs’ offense
UNT has surrendered 60 points in its first three games. The Frogs are still trying to find stability in their offense.
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

When North Texas is mentioned to the Horned Frogs, one thing always comes to mind.

Their defense.

Everyone on the team respects their defense, and knows the challenge they face.

“They’ll be the best defense that we have played to this point,” head coach Gary Patterson said.

In their first three games of the season, the Mean Green have played college football powerhouses Texas and Alabama, as well as Division I-AA Nicholls State. In those three games, North Texas surrendered a total of 60 points.

Despite the fact that one of their best defenders will not play, junior linebacker Cody Spencer, Frog coaches still expect a formidable opponent.

“I think all three of their linebackers are good,” offensive coordinator Mike Schultz said. “Even though Spencer is out, all three will play hard, and be very tough.”

On the other side of the ball, the Frog offense is still searching for stability. They want to run the football, but no true starter has emerged from the group since the start of the season. TCU has also begun to take some chances with the pass, but they have a better chance of being successful at it if the running game can be better established.

Patterson said he has an idea why running the football hasn’t been up to par.

“To me it’s come down to one-on-one situations and not making the guy miss,” Patterson said. “We have to find somebody back there that is going to make one guy miss.”

The players also understand how important the running game is to Frog football.

“We have yet to establish ourselves running the ball, and we’ve got to do that in this game,” senior quarterback Sean Stilley said. “We’ve got to establish ourselves on the ground to be able to throw the ball. It’s what we have been doing around here forever, and right now we are not getting it done.”

With UNT being the last game before the remainder of the conference schedule kicks in, the offense needs to remedy its struggles immediately.

“I think to win the conference, your offense has to average somewhere around 26 to 28 points a game,” Patterson said. “Everyone has good skill players. If you don’t average that many points your going to have a hard time beating people, even playing defense.”