North
Texas held its final scrimmage of preseason on Saturday, as they prepare for
their season and exit from the Sun Belt Conference. The Mean Grean is also preparing
for their season opener against LSU.
North
Texas Mean Green’s players realize why it’s final full scrimmage of fall
practice Saturday at Apogee Stadium so important — and such an encouraging sign
for UNT’s defense.
Freshman
safety David Busby returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown to
highlight an approximately 100-play scrimmage that UNT’s defense controlled
most of the way.
McCarney
has emphasized being physical, creating turnovers and making big plays throughout
the offseason. During preseason practice the team have made improvements on the
defensive side of the ball.
North
Texas defense had that opportunity late in the scrimmage when the team worked
on several situations, including third down, red zone plays, goal-line
situations, 2-point conversions and the two-minute drill.
McCarney
said UNT’s defense controlled those situations.
“We
collapsed the pocket better, tackled better, broke on some balls and got our
hands on balls in the air,” McCarney said. “Busby had a big, big play returning
an interception for a touchdown in the two-minute drill. There is no question
he will play this year.”
The change is just one adjustment UNT is making this fall,
and it isn’t the biggest one. UNT’s defense is still getting used to working
under new coordinator John Skladany.
“Every
day we have so much to do,” McCarney said. “When you are playing against the
No. 1 team in the country, against all that talent and coach [Les] Miles, the
urgency I have is off the charts. I come in every day and see things that we
need to get better at.”
North
Texas offense came up with a few big plays during Saturday’s scrimmage, but not
nearly enough to satisfy McCarney or wide receiver Brelan Chancellor.
Brandin
Byrd and Jeremy Brown both posted 70-yard touchdown runs, while redshirt
freshman tight end Cooper Jones caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from backup
quarterback Andrew McNulty.
As
the defense look to have improved, the offense is not quite their according to Chancellor,
one of the veteran leaders of UNT’s offense. “It didn’t come together the way
we hoped. We were not physical enough. We have to pick it up.”
