DMN article today
Mean Green is the pick ... again
UNT is selected favorite in quest for fourth straight title
03:59 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 20, 2004
By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle
NEW ORLEANS – The North Texas football team's Sun Belt Conference opponents received a little extra motivation Monday to run down the Mean Green this season.
UNT has won the last three conference titles and was the overwhelming choice to extend the streak in the preseason poll. UNT received 15 of 18 first-place votes from coaches, sports information directors and media members.
The vote was one of several highlights of media day for UNT, which also swept the preseason player of the year honors and was selected to play on television five times during the regular season.
"People say we have a bull's-eye on our backs, but we don't listen to that," coach Darrell Dickey said. "We respect everyone we play."
Troy State was picked to finish second and was one of three other teams to receive a first-place vote.
The Mean Green will enter the season tied with Boise State of the WAC for the nation's longest conference win streak at 18 games.
"UNT believes that they are going to win every game," Middle Tennessee coach Andy McCollum said. "They make the key plays that have made the difference."
Running back Patrick Cobbs made several of those key plays last season, and he was named the league's preseason offensive player of the year. The senior led the nation in rushing (152.7 yards a game) and scoring (11.5 points a game) last season, when he was also named the conference's preseason offensive player of the year.
"I have worked harder this summer than any other season," Cobbs said. "I realize it will be tougher for me this year."
Senior defensive end Adrian Awasom was named preseason
defensive player of the year. He was a first-team selection last year. The Mean Green had eight players named to the all-conference team for the second consecutive season.
UNT also dominated the league's TV schedule. The Mean Green will appear on ESPN five times during the season, including a nationwide broadcast against Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday, Nov. 5, on ESPN2. UNT will appear on regional TV on Oct. 23 (New Mexico State), Oct. 30 (Louisiana-Monroe), Nov. 13 (Idaho) and Nov. 18 (Arkansas State).
Briefly ...
UNT coach Darrell Dickey said that receivers Joel Nwigwe and Ja'Mel Branch and offensive lineman Jason May will rejoin the team in the fall. All three had left the team for a variety of reasons. They will practice but not play.
E-mail bvito@dentonrc.com
I am kinda miffed. I think they should be gone, but then again if they clean their act up and redshirt or sit out a year then that is fine. Trust in Big D I guess.