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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 3-8 (3-2) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Darrell Dickey Returning starters: 14 (offense 5, defense 8) Outlook Second-year head coach Darrell Dickey opened his tenure at North Texas with ambitious plans and last year's results (3-2 in conference, second place in the Big West) have given the Mean Green reason for continued optimism. But this is a team that must measure its gains against the past, and not against the rest of the league. Dickey's club has improved its recruiting base, signing 23 high school seniors. But the need to rebuild both the offensive and defensive line, combined with an unsettled situation at quarterback, has tilted the playing field in a decidedly uphill plane. The schedule is will provide little respite, as North Texas has just four home contest and four games on the road against teams that enjoyed bowl bids (Idaho, LSU, TCU, Texas Tech) a year ago. Factor in contests against a pair of Big 12 teams (Baylor, Texas Tech), one against an improved SEC representative (LSU) and one each from the WAC (TCU) and Mountain West (UNLV) and it's only fair to say that any expectations must be tempered ones. OffenseReturning starter Jason Attaway, who was absent in spring drills while rehabbing an injured knee, will battle sophomore Richard Bridges for the starting quarterback job. The position has been a black hole since North Texas saddled up with the Big West three seasons ago. Last season's No. 2, LaDarrin McLane, will line up at receiver in '99. The offensive line was one of the few areas with experience and depth last year. That won't be the case this season as the Eagles graduated four senior starters, most notably three-time all-Big West center Phillip Armour. That's the bad news. The good is that a pair of players who will need to step in right away -- Andrew Lott and David Morgan -- gained considerable experience a year ago after a season-ending injury to the departed Laymonde Lee. Morgan was slowed this spring after postseason knee surgery and a broken kneecap following spring football. If he's healthy, look for him to start at center. A handful of JC transfers could also bring improvement up front. Broderick McGrew has decent speed and will line up opposite McLane at wideout. Expect to see Brian Futrell, a converted tight end, as another popular target. The running game will rely upon promising junior Ja'Quay Wilburn, but a broken jaw kept him off the field this spring. Last year he averaged a league-best 5.4 yards per carry and rushed for 501 yards in the final three games It's a good sign if: JC transfers have an impactIt's a bad sign if: A young line struggles with pass protection Defense The juggling act that characterizes the offensive line is mirrored on the defensive side of the ball. Second-team all-Big West selection Corbin Montgomery is the lone stable presence. He had seven sacks last year and 15 over the past two seasons. Leadership, not statistics, may be his biggest contribution, however. The other veteran up front is nose tackle Zeb Cornist. At 6-5 and just 270 pounds he may be a bit undersized, but the senior's experience will be invaluable. A trio of juniors return at linebacker to give the Mean Green some continuity at a key position. Fred Pertile's 86 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries set the pace last year, but Jeff Rogers (88 tackles) and Corry Pertile (62 tackles) weren't far behind. Fred Pertile makes up for a lack of size (6-0, 190) with surprising speed while Rogers is the unit's big hitter. The entire secondary boasts experience. Detrion Woodson is two-year starter at corner and senior Ramone Archie will line up for his second season at strong safety. Kendrick Sapp and Lawrence Ellis split time at the other cover spot in 1998, starting 11 games between them. It's a good sign if: Solid play at linebacker keeps scores lowIt's a bad sign if: Double-teaming shuts down Montgomery Special Teams He may be a freshman, but the kicking game will almost surely be handed to Dan Walker. As a high school senior he drilled six field goals of 40 yards or better and three from outside 50. That range could prove critical if an unsettled offense cannot get untracked. Broderick McGrew is more than a guy who can field kicks, he's a genuine threat to score. His 32.6-yard average was tops in the country last year. Those numbers included a 100-yard return for touchdown against Utah State and a 64-yard gallop against Kansas. -- John Crowley |
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