Friday, November 10
Dallas, Texas
8 PM CT
University of North Texas
at
SMU
Football Ready For Friday Night Lights at SMU
11/7/2023 2:08:00 PM | Football
DENTON – The UNT football team will look to bounce back from a loss to one rival as the Mean Green travel to face another one in SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Friday night at 8 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN2 with the radio broadcast set for KHYI 95.3/The Varsity Network.
Head coach Eric Morris and selected players spoke to the media on Tuesday and discussed, among other things, playing on a short week, going up against a statistically stout SMU defense, this game marking the end of a longtime series until further notice and the team's challenge to win out in order to secure a bowl bid.
Mean Green prepping for Friday game
On a night that is typically owned by high school football in Texas, UNT will travel to SMU to play a Friday game on the opening weekend of the Texas high school playoffs.
Aside from what could be a lackluster crowd because of that and having to create energy, Morris talked Tuesday about some of the challenges that come with playing on a short week.
"It's a little bit of an odd week when you get done on Saturday and have to prepare on a short week," Morris said. "The practice schedule has been different. The kids have handled it great. We've taken a little off physically and put a lot on mentally. Tomorrow, we'll get some good work in and go into walk through mode the rest of the week. You're getting to the point now where you have some guys banged up and with our depth as it stands as a program, it's important we're fresh for this game and let our guys recuperate a little bit."
While acknowledging some of the challenges, Morris also pointed out that SMU has the same challenge but also that the variety of game days across all levels of the sport have changed approaches.
"This is not foreign," Morris said. "NFL teams now go all week without playing with pads at practice. It's how football has evolved over the course of time. Mental reps are so important. The rest piece of it is more important. They're college students and still have class and a lot going on.
"Throw all that on top of the time change, I think everyone is a little tired right now with it getting dark early," he added. "They have to deal with the same thing. It's not something only we're dealing with. We just have to worry about what we can control this week."
Junior wideout Trey Cleveland said not much has changed in the preparation for a late Friday start instead of a Saturday afternoon kickoff.
"It hasn't really affected practice, to be honest," Cleveland said. "The coaches have done a great job taking care of our bodies and making sure we're locked in. We put in some new plays and we're ready to come out and execute on Friday. Our bodies are good. We're feeling good, even though it's a quick turnaround."
Offense facing stiff test in SMU defense
Statistically speaking, the UNT offense is one of the most versatile and effective units in all of FBS.
The Mean Green are one of just seven FBS teams to rank inside the top 35 nationally in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense and passing offense, joined by the likes of Oregon, LSU, UNC, Ole Miss, Texas State and Texas.
Moving the ball and scoring points this season hasn't been problematic for UNT, but Friday's game could pose a tough challenge in the form of SMU's defense.
The Mustangs are fifth in FBS in opponent third down conversion, while UNT is 33rd nationally in offensive third down conversion at 44%.
"Statistically, this is the best defense we've played," Morris said of the Mustangs. "You look at some of their numbers they've given up defensively, they're allowing teams to convert on third down just 28% of the time, which is phenomenal. They're doing a great job of getting off the field and giving the ball back to their offense. Our kids are excited about that. They know the challenge that's awaiting them."
UNT hoping for win in final SMU matchup on the books
After Friday night's game, no one knows when UNT and SMU will meet again after 43 all-time matchups.
SMU will make the jump to the ACC meaning any game would be of the non-conference variety and would likely be years out if played at all.
"It is what it is," Morris said. "There's a bunch of is what it is in college football that we could all complain about, but that's not my personality. I could talk about the portal, NIL, realignment and everything has been stirred up. It's just different now. It is what it is. They've bene trying to do this for some time. Being so close in proximity, I think it's a cool rivalry. I wish I had more time to have seen this thing and be a part of it, but the president of SMU forgot to call me when they decided to go to the P5 level. I'm excited to get one shot at it."
While several UNT players have a history against SMU, Morris and most of his staff will be facing the Mustangs for the first time. The same goes for several players, such as Cleveland.
"This, being my first year here, I think SMU is definitely a rival in my eyes because they're right down the street from us. There's bragging rights in that game. My high school QB plays cornerback at SMU, Jahari Rogers. I grew up with him my whole life. It'll be fun. I haven't texted him this week. We talk all the time. He's like a brother to me but we haven't texted this week. This will be my first time going against him.
"I just want to give them the L and get them out on a bad note," Cleveland added. "It'll be fun to play them. This will be my first time, but we just have to have fun with it and try to get the W."
UNT has history with backs against the wall
It's no secret the Mean Green must win out in their final three games to get to six wins and earn a bowl berth.
While that might be a daunting task, it's nothing several players on the team haven't seen, and done, before.
Just two years ago in 2021, UNT started the year 1-6 and was forced to win out in order to get bowl eligible. The Mean Green did just that, capping off the regular season with a big win over then-No. 15 UTSA to earn a bowl bid.
"Our backs were against the wall then and they are now," said junior cornerback Ridge Texada. "We know it'll be tough, but it isn't anything we can't do or can't handle. We've done it before, so why can't we do it again?"
Head coach Eric Morris and selected players spoke to the media on Tuesday and discussed, among other things, playing on a short week, going up against a statistically stout SMU defense, this game marking the end of a longtime series until further notice and the team's challenge to win out in order to secure a bowl bid.
Mean Green prepping for Friday game
On a night that is typically owned by high school football in Texas, UNT will travel to SMU to play a Friday game on the opening weekend of the Texas high school playoffs.
Aside from what could be a lackluster crowd because of that and having to create energy, Morris talked Tuesday about some of the challenges that come with playing on a short week.
"It's a little bit of an odd week when you get done on Saturday and have to prepare on a short week," Morris said. "The practice schedule has been different. The kids have handled it great. We've taken a little off physically and put a lot on mentally. Tomorrow, we'll get some good work in and go into walk through mode the rest of the week. You're getting to the point now where you have some guys banged up and with our depth as it stands as a program, it's important we're fresh for this game and let our guys recuperate a little bit."
While acknowledging some of the challenges, Morris also pointed out that SMU has the same challenge but also that the variety of game days across all levels of the sport have changed approaches.
"This is not foreign," Morris said. "NFL teams now go all week without playing with pads at practice. It's how football has evolved over the course of time. Mental reps are so important. The rest piece of it is more important. They're college students and still have class and a lot going on.
"Throw all that on top of the time change, I think everyone is a little tired right now with it getting dark early," he added. "They have to deal with the same thing. It's not something only we're dealing with. We just have to worry about what we can control this week."
Junior wideout Trey Cleveland said not much has changed in the preparation for a late Friday start instead of a Saturday afternoon kickoff.
"It hasn't really affected practice, to be honest," Cleveland said. "The coaches have done a great job taking care of our bodies and making sure we're locked in. We put in some new plays and we're ready to come out and execute on Friday. Our bodies are good. We're feeling good, even though it's a quick turnaround."
Offense facing stiff test in SMU defense
Statistically speaking, the UNT offense is one of the most versatile and effective units in all of FBS.
The Mean Green are one of just seven FBS teams to rank inside the top 35 nationally in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense and passing offense, joined by the likes of Oregon, LSU, UNC, Ole Miss, Texas State and Texas.
Moving the ball and scoring points this season hasn't been problematic for UNT, but Friday's game could pose a tough challenge in the form of SMU's defense.
The Mustangs are fifth in FBS in opponent third down conversion, while UNT is 33rd nationally in offensive third down conversion at 44%.
"Statistically, this is the best defense we've played," Morris said of the Mustangs. "You look at some of their numbers they've given up defensively, they're allowing teams to convert on third down just 28% of the time, which is phenomenal. They're doing a great job of getting off the field and giving the ball back to their offense. Our kids are excited about that. They know the challenge that's awaiting them."
UNT hoping for win in final SMU matchup on the books
After Friday night's game, no one knows when UNT and SMU will meet again after 43 all-time matchups.
SMU will make the jump to the ACC meaning any game would be of the non-conference variety and would likely be years out if played at all.
"It is what it is," Morris said. "There's a bunch of is what it is in college football that we could all complain about, but that's not my personality. I could talk about the portal, NIL, realignment and everything has been stirred up. It's just different now. It is what it is. They've bene trying to do this for some time. Being so close in proximity, I think it's a cool rivalry. I wish I had more time to have seen this thing and be a part of it, but the president of SMU forgot to call me when they decided to go to the P5 level. I'm excited to get one shot at it."
While several UNT players have a history against SMU, Morris and most of his staff will be facing the Mustangs for the first time. The same goes for several players, such as Cleveland.
"This, being my first year here, I think SMU is definitely a rival in my eyes because they're right down the street from us. There's bragging rights in that game. My high school QB plays cornerback at SMU, Jahari Rogers. I grew up with him my whole life. It'll be fun. I haven't texted him this week. We talk all the time. He's like a brother to me but we haven't texted this week. This will be my first time going against him.
"I just want to give them the L and get them out on a bad note," Cleveland added. "It'll be fun to play them. This will be my first time, but we just have to have fun with it and try to get the W."
UNT has history with backs against the wall
It's no secret the Mean Green must win out in their final three games to get to six wins and earn a bowl berth.
While that might be a daunting task, it's nothing several players on the team haven't seen, and done, before.
Just two years ago in 2021, UNT started the year 1-6 and was forced to win out in order to get bowl eligible. The Mean Green did just that, capping off the regular season with a big win over then-No. 15 UTSA to earn a bowl bid.
"Our backs were against the wall then and they are now," said junior cornerback Ridge Texada. "We know it'll be tough, but it isn't anything we can't do or can't handle. We've done it before, so why can't we do it again?"
Players Mentioned
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