University of North Texas Athletics
Live Blog Continues Today, Dodge Days From Denton Part II
8/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Post Practice Quotes
10:28 p.m.
Cam Montgomery, Running Back
What he's working on during fall camp
I'm trying to practice on blocking, picking up blitzes, and improving on my route running. I just want to get better overall".
Sam Roberson, Wide Receiver
"I can't worry about myself. If the team is doing well then that means I'm doing well and that's all that matter.
Denton The New Oxnard?
10:12 p.m.
For at least a portion of this night, the players, coaches, and let’s face it, the blog is very happy about the cool weather that has blown in tonight. One difference from
On a night where the offense had the upper hand for most of the evening, defensive back Kylie Hill had two superb pass break-up’s during 11-on-11 drills. The transfer has been catching the eye of a lot tonight and he has made two excellent plays on passes over the middle.
Pass 'N Catch Combo
The first and second team offenses ran drills involving screens to the running backs and wide receivers. Head coach Todd Dodge and the other coaches preached lining up and sprinting off the line quickly to run their routes precisely. Running back Cam Montgomery and wide receiver Sam Roberson made some nice grabs. They also wanted the quarterbacks to make their reads and get the ball out quickly. QBs Giovanni Vizza, Daniel Meager, Riley Dodge, and Matt Phillips all got into the act showing their ability to run the offense.
Delivered by Sam Owusu-Hemeng. Remember these are non-contact drills but Owusu-Hemeng layed out coach Scott Vestal. He was playing the role of the quarterback, rolled to his left and was met promptly by Owusu-Hemeng, sending Vestal on his backside. No punishment though as Owusu-Hemeng tried to pull up, we think. Team drills just started, Play of the Day candidates coming.
Down The Line
9:08 p.m.
A lot has been talked about regarding the defensive line, in particular the ends. Early indications are Ryan Davenport and Marquis Sykes will get the early chance to grab the starting positions.
Draylen Ross is another name to keep an eye on though.
LB Toby Nwigwe is ready for some hitting. After proclaiming he’s going to “make somebody pay on Friday” he continued with his verbal assaults during more scout team drills. Friday is the first day of hitting and pads is Friday.
Coach Dodge has talked a lot about setting a good tempo, and new (old) defensive coordinatory Gary DeLoach is carrying out the general’s orders. Working with a full 11-man squad lining up against the scout team, from the time of the snap, end of the play, and back in and out of the huddle, the Mean Green defense was averaging 16 seconds.
From the start to finish of a play to the next, just under 40 seconds. Each time after the play “gotta get our reps, gotta get our reps, back in the huddle” .
I did see a softer side of Coach DeLoach though, offering up a helping hand to true freshman Jeremy Phillips during the drills.
“We’re going to be blitzing, so get used to it!”
Those were the words of returning defensive coordinator Gary DeLoach. For a second night in a row the defensive unit was stressing on turnovers. DeLoach was preaching to the defensive line about being active at all times, including batting down balls at the line of scrimmage. The linebackers were also working on the “Scoop N Score” drill, placing one hand on the ball carrier while using the other to punch free the football. Graduate assistant Scott Vestal was telling the group that this whole season the objective is to not only stop the opposing offense, but try and score every opportunity they can get.
The wide receivers worked on drills involving route running. The focus was on cutting and breaking to run precise routes. The coaches were also talking about having fast hands and anticipating when they should turn to catch the ball. Roderick Johnson, Sam Roberson, Brock Stickler, Kenny Barrett, and Marcus King made these drills look easy.
“Let There Be Light”
8:27 p.m.
The immortal words of Harry Carey when the lights turned on for the first time at Wrigley Field. Well it’s not the first time for the lights to fire up here at Fouts, but it sure seems like it sometimes.
After what seemed light a good 20 minutes, the lights have finally heated up. Didn’t slow down the drills though.
Not to worry, we won’t be here for too much longer........The press box that is. No stadium rumor’s being started here.
p.s.- really like what Cam Montgomery is doing these first two days. Finally healthy, he’s looking like a potential threat.
Take It Back
8:13 p.m.
Full squad drills underway. Defense is working on the north side on ball hawking and interceptions.
One thing that new (old) defensive coordinator Gary DeLoach has emphasized in the early going is takeaways. He wants his DB’s to have better hands than the guys they are covering. And so far, looks good. Eight straight balls in the air, Eight straight picks. Granted its coming from Coach Vestal, but so far no one has put the ball on the turf.
Quarterback’s Worst Nightmare
The defensive line began practice working on technique and footwork.
At least their hands are. Both freshman running backs Lance Dunbar and Jeremi Mathis showed nice hands during workouts with the QB’s.
Everyone’s Involved
7:32 p.m.
With mainly freshman and newcomers getting reps for the first hour of practice, there is a little more involvement from the coaches when in comes to instruction. Starting at the top with Coach Dodge, the coordinator’s, position coaches, GA’s, and even the.....Trainers?
Well, at least on one drill. Coach Peterson was working with some DB’s on footwork and back-peddling and one of Dustin Hill’s sports medicine newcomers stepped in to help. She goes by the name
Needless to say she needed a water break along with the guys.
Away We Go
7:07 p.m.
After a quick speech by Coach Dodge were off and running, drills have begun. Freshman till 8. Gonna start with a look at the D-line tonight. Back in a bit.
Yes He Really Is That Big
7:01 p.m.
The blog has starting to receive some questions regarding incoming players height’s, weights, etc. Just to clear up any confusion, typically newly signed recruits fill out a questionnaire that is used in preseason information.
Well this year we went straight to the source when the players checked in, the first ever time actually, and went off the exact measurements and weight’s of the
So instead of assistant equipment manager Dick Miller’s best guess each year, what you see on the roster is accurate down to the last tenth of an inch.
Next Up For The Mean Green, Channel 8
6:51 p.m.
Media day isn’t until tomorrow but Channel 8 is the latest TV station to be on the scene covering the Mean Green tonight. Along with CW 33 last night, Channel 8 is working on a story featuring the nation’s third leading receiver.
Got a sneak peek at some of it and it is an impressive look one of the best players on the roster, on and off the field.
Remnants Of Ed Nowhere To Be Found
Still about 30 minutes away from getting the second official practice underway. In case you might be worried about weather and the remnants of Tropical Storm Edouard, so far so good. Some dark clouds to the south, but nothing to worry about.
Roster Is Ready
5:14 p.m.
The 2008 roster is now updated on the website. Not to say there won’t be any changes here or there, but this will give fans a better idea as to what number the newcomers will have. There are a slew of late arrivals and walk-on's who we will have information on in the upcoming days.
A Tall Forrest
3:56 p.m.
Freshman wide receiver Forrest Rucker checked in at a height of 6-6 the other day and that got us thinking, when was the last time that North Texas has had a receiver that tall. Well, excluding tight ends, it’s been a while. How about 32 years since it’s happened and it has an interesting twist. Rucker is the tallest receiver to don a Mean Green uniform since the 6-6 David Adkisson in 1976.
If that name rings a bell, it should, quite literally. Adkisson, who didn’t play a single down that year, would leave North Texas the following year and begin his professional wrestling career as none other than David Von Erich.
Not sure if Rucker has any ambitions of becoming a wrestler, but North Texas has quite a reputation for pumping out wrestlers over the years. And ring announcers.
Brush Your Teeth?
2:45 p.m.
"Playing linebacker should come as a natural instinct for yall. It’s like brushing your teeth; you put the toothbrush in your right hand and the toothpaste in your left hand. You just do it naturally, you don’t think about it you just do it.”
-Graduate Assistant Scott Vestal during linebacker drills last night
Fouts vs. The Practice Fields
2:06 p.m.
The heat has driven the first week of practice for the North Texas football team over to Fouts Field. So privately why would a few players prefer the aging stadium over the spacious, grass surfaced, less than five year old practice fields at the Athletic Center?
Key word there, spacious. At Fouts, the players, offense and defense, must share the 100-yard field. At the Athletic Center there are two full sized practice fields along with space on either end for individual drills. So instead of having to run the full length of the practice field, the players can enjoy simply a 50-yard workout, so to speak.
Can you blame them in this heat? Don’t worry though, the workouts of Coach Dodge are more than enough to make up for any advantages the players might feel like they are getting at Fouts.
Does James Mitchell Have A Little Brother?
12:14 p.m.
We wondered the same thing for a while after watching running back Weston Squire yesterday. For those Mean Green fans not familiar with Mitchell, he was a smallish sized running back from 2003-06 who required binoculars to see him. He was listed at 5-9 but endeared himself to many North Texas fans with his hard work and tenacity. It paid off for him when he rushed for 166 yards in a game against Arkansas State in 2004.
Fast forward to today and Squier who checks in at 5-8, but tips the scales at only 146. Don’t let that fool you however. During some of the drills last night Squier had a quick burst each time he touched the ball and in this offensive, you can’t count someone like Squier out. Just remember to bring a high-powered telescope to find him.
Former Foes Now Friends
11:22 a.m.
One of the more ironic sights of last night’s practice was seeing quarterback Riley Dodge working with the receivers, and in particular Marcus King. Who can ever forget the 2006 epic clash during the playoffs that saw Dodge’s Southlake Carroll team knock off King’s Trinity squad by a point and eventually win another state title a month later.
Those days are memories now and the two are teammates. Of course we can’t forget about defensive lineman Jordan Scoggins who was also a member of that 2006 Trinity squad, but for now Riley has scoreboard on two of his teammates.
Rosters Updates Coming
10:35 a.m.
Its day two of the fall camp and there are a few things to catch everyone up on from last night. First things first though, you can expect to see an updated roster on the website within the next few days. Once all of the jersey numbers, position switches, etc, are finalized you will be able to find out who’s wearing what number and playing what position.
