University of North Texas Athletics
Best Team Ever: (1) 1967 vs. (1) 2002
6/11/2020 9:24:00 AM | Football
DENTON - There have been many great football teams in North Texas history and now is the time to decide which one is the all-time best. Over several weeks, fans have had the chance to weigh in with their opinions, observations, memories as we pit the best teams in school history against each other in a 16-team bracket, presented by Dos Equis. The teams were broken up into four "regions" based on era and seeded 1-4 within those "regions". Winners of each matchup are decided by a combination of social media voting and a special committee of UNT alums from each era dating back to the 1950's.Â
We conclude the semifinal round Thursday, which pits a No. 1 seed, 1967 team (Mean Green regional champion) against another top seed, the 2002Â team (Scrappy regional champion).
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(1) 1967 vs. (1) 2002
1967 – Coach Rod Rust – 7-1-1, 4-0 in Missouri Valley Conference
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Undefeated until last game of the season with one tie along the way… Defense allowed just 1,821 yards for the season (202.3 per game), still the fewest total yards allowed in a season by any North Texas team since stats were kept… Allowed just 79.1 rushing yards allowed per game, the second-best in school history... QB Steve Ramsey led the NCAA with 21 passing touchdowns and Ron Shanklin led the NCAA with 13 receiving TDs... Total of 10 all-conference selections, including 3 first team... Team had 11 players that were drafted by the NFL from 1968-70... 12 players from this team in the North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame… Joe Greene junior season... Rod Rust named MVC Coach of the Year.
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Points Per Game: 30.8
Points Allowed Per Game: 15.8
Offensive Yards Per Game: 332.9
Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 202.3
College Football Reference Power Rating: 29th of 118 teams Â
All Conference Players: Charles Beatty, CB (1st team); Ed Brantley, OT (1st team); Paul Draper, OC (1st team); Lindy Endsley, NG (2nd team); Joe Greene, DT (2nd team); Johnny Mata, LB (2nd team); Steve Ramsey, QB (2nd team); James Russell, WR (2nd team); Ron Shanklin, WR (2nd team); Bob Tucker, DE (2nd team).
2002 – Coach Darrell Dickey – 8-5, 6-0 in Sun Belt Conference
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Losses were to No. 4 Texas, Alabama, TCU, Arizona and South Florida… Outscored conference opponents 159-59… Had 10 first team all-conference selections and six second team… DT Brandon Kennedy was 3rd team All-American, conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year... Darrell Dickey was conference Coach of the Year... One of only three bowl championship teams in school history... Ranks sixth for most rushing yards in a season by a North Texas team with 2,372... Kennedy had 24 TFL, ranking second all-time and 10 sacks, the best since that year... Team had 45 sacks, best in North Texas history still a Sun Belt Conference record... Ranked 3rd nationally in scoring defense and 9th nationally in total defense… Five players from this team signed as NFL free agents and three (Spencer, Cobbs, Awasom) had multiple year NFL careers… Seven players from this team currently in North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Points Per Game: 19.2
Points Allowed Per Game: 14.8
Offensive Yards Per Game: 284.5
Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 287.2
College Football Reference Power Rating: 63rd of 117 teams Â
All Conference Players: J.R. Randle, OT (1st team); Nick Zuniga, OG (1st team); Jeff Muenchow, TE (1st team); Kevin Galbreath, RB (1st team); Brandon Kennedy, DL (1st team); Darrell Daniels, DL (1st team); Taylor Casey, LB (1st team); Cody Spencer, LB (1st team); Craig Jones, DB (1st team); Don McGee, DB (1st team); Matt Turney, OL (2nd team); Adrian Awasom, DL (2nd team); Chris McIver, DL (2nd team); Jonas Buckles, DB (2nd team); Brad Kadlubar, P (2nd team); Ja'Mel Branch, ST (2nd team).
We are down to the Final Four and this is your chance to help decide if your team is the best Eagles/Mean Green team ever!
Vote on Twitter (@MeanGreenFB)
Vote on Facebook
(1) 1967 vs. (1) 2002
1967 – Coach Rod Rust – 7-1-1, 4-0 in Missouri Valley Conference
Â
Undefeated until last game of the season with one tie along the way… Defense allowed just 1,821 yards for the season (202.3 per game), still the fewest total yards allowed in a season by any North Texas team since stats were kept… Allowed just 79.1 rushing yards allowed per game, the second-best in school history... QB Steve Ramsey led the NCAA with 21 passing touchdowns and Ron Shanklin led the NCAA with 13 receiving TDs... Total of 10 all-conference selections, including 3 first team... Team had 11 players that were drafted by the NFL from 1968-70... 12 players from this team in the North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame… Joe Greene junior season... Rod Rust named MVC Coach of the Year.
Â
Points Per Game: 30.8
Points Allowed Per Game: 15.8
Offensive Yards Per Game: 332.9
Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 202.3
College Football Reference Power Rating: 29th of 118 teams Â
All Conference Players: Charles Beatty, CB (1st team); Ed Brantley, OT (1st team); Paul Draper, OC (1st team); Lindy Endsley, NG (2nd team); Joe Greene, DT (2nd team); Johnny Mata, LB (2nd team); Steve Ramsey, QB (2nd team); James Russell, WR (2nd team); Ron Shanklin, WR (2nd team); Bob Tucker, DE (2nd team).
2002 – Coach Darrell Dickey – 8-5, 6-0 in Sun Belt Conference
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Losses were to No. 4 Texas, Alabama, TCU, Arizona and South Florida… Outscored conference opponents 159-59… Had 10 first team all-conference selections and six second team… DT Brandon Kennedy was 3rd team All-American, conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year... Darrell Dickey was conference Coach of the Year... One of only three bowl championship teams in school history... Ranks sixth for most rushing yards in a season by a North Texas team with 2,372... Kennedy had 24 TFL, ranking second all-time and 10 sacks, the best since that year... Team had 45 sacks, best in North Texas history still a Sun Belt Conference record... Ranked 3rd nationally in scoring defense and 9th nationally in total defense… Five players from this team signed as NFL free agents and three (Spencer, Cobbs, Awasom) had multiple year NFL careers… Seven players from this team currently in North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame.
   Â
Points Per Game: 19.2
Points Allowed Per Game: 14.8
Offensive Yards Per Game: 284.5
Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 287.2
College Football Reference Power Rating: 63rd of 117 teams Â
All Conference Players: J.R. Randle, OT (1st team); Nick Zuniga, OG (1st team); Jeff Muenchow, TE (1st team); Kevin Galbreath, RB (1st team); Brandon Kennedy, DL (1st team); Darrell Daniels, DL (1st team); Taylor Casey, LB (1st team); Cody Spencer, LB (1st team); Craig Jones, DB (1st team); Don McGee, DB (1st team); Matt Turney, OL (2nd team); Adrian Awasom, DL (2nd team); Chris McIver, DL (2nd team); Jonas Buckles, DB (2nd team); Brad Kadlubar, P (2nd team); Ja'Mel Branch, ST (2nd team).
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