Mean Green Set for Senior Day Against ECU

DENTON – The UNT football team will host a hot East Carolina team on Saturday, as the Mean Green look to snap a four-game skid and earn bowl eligibility at 2:30 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN+ with the radio broadcast set for 97.1 The Eagle/The Varsity Network/Sirius XM Channel 987.

Head coach Eric Morris and selected players spoke to the media on Tuesday and discussed, among other things, the importance of this senior class, Brian Odom taking over defensive coordinator duties and the stellar play of a couple of true freshman offensive linemen.

15 seniors set for final home game
The Mean Green clearly have a lot to play for on Saturday, but an added factor this week will be the celebration of 15 seniors who will be playing their final home game at DATCU Stadium.

The group, which is comprised of Jordan Brown, Roderick Brown, Blair Conwright, Terrell Dawkins, Jett Duncan, Alphie Guillory Jr., Jayden Hill, Landon Peterson, Jace Ruder, Jake Shipley, Jaylen Smith, Ridge Texada, Loronzo Thompson, Jenson Walker and Damon Ward Jr., will be honored prior to kickoff on Saturday.

Jordan Brown and Duncan are both fifth-year seniors who spoke to the media on Tuesday about what they'll be feeling when they take the field at DATCU one last time.

"This group is special," Brown said. "A lot of these guys have been for a minute. It's amazing to see guys grow over the years into the roles they have… I'm excited. I'd say it's bittersweet but more sweet than bitter for us. To start out here in 2020, and it's finally to the end of the road now? It's gonna be a special moment. I just have to give it my all because what do we have to lose?"

Duncan said throughout the ups and downs the last five years, which included a coaching change, the senior group has stuck together through thick and thin.

"I think it earns a lot of trust into the people that are still here," Duncan said. "It's a new thing going to college, but now we're on our fifth year so it shows how much they care about this program… I've been here with them for five years. It's special. We're all friends so it's cool to go out there Saturday one last time at DATCU."

Morris said he's been proud of the group for sticking together – whether they've been here for years or just a few months.

"A bunch of guys that are fighters," Morris said, describing the group. "They've never wavered through the good and the bad. The have great relationships with one another. Some have been here six months and some for six years. To see those guys come together is always fun for a coach. There's not many of them. It's a small group, which is a good thing for a program's future. I'm excited to see them out there one last time."

Defense getting fresh start under Odom
The UNT defense is ready to play for interim defensive coordinator Brian Odom, who was elevated to coordinator duties from linebackers coach this week, and not many people in the program know Odom better than Brown.

"Just being in linebacker room, the way he's led us, I know he'll give it his all and we'll give him ours," Brown said. "He's hard-nosed. He never flinches. He wants to get after it. I'd say he's your typical linebacker coach."

Odom has been an interim coordinator twice in his career – in 2021 at Oklahoma and last season at USC. In those two years, he took over defenses that eventually ended their seasons with bowl wins.

Morris said Odom's previous experience in the role will help smooth the transition with games regular season games remaining, and it could also help him know what works and what doesn't.

"He did this last year at USC," Morris said. "It's not uncharted territory for him. He commands a presence in front of the kids and has great leadership skills. The kids will build off his toughness and energy and confidence. That's the biggest thing for me on both sides, we're not a confident football team right now. Finding a way to do that is the most important thing for me right now, and coach Odom will help there."

Freshmen excelling up front on offense
In last week's game at UTSA, the Mean Green started two true freshmen on the offensive line in left tackle Braydon Nelson and center Tyler Mercer. Nelson has been a fixture up front with eight starts this year, while Mercer started his fourth game of the year.

Morris said the duo more than held their own in the loss to UTSA at arguably the two most important spots on the offensive line.

"One bright spot of last game was that was the best our offensive line has played to this point," Morris said. "The two true freshmen continue to get better. Two guys with huge jobs – maybe the biggest jobs on the O-line."

Duncan, who's played all five spots on the offensive line over the course of his decorated career and made starts at four of them, said he's been blown away by the play of his two young teammates.

"They're doing unbelievable for freshmen," Duncan said. "They have so much potential and they don't even know it. They're way ahead of me when I was a freshman. They're gonna be dogs when they get older."

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Brown

Roderick Brown

Blair Conwright

Terrell Dawkins

Jett Duncan

Alphie Guillory Jr.

Jayden Hill

Tyler Mercer

Braydon Nelson

Landon Peterson

Jace Ruder

Jake Shipley

Jaylen Smith

Ridge Texada

Loronzo Thompson

Jenson Walker

Damon Ward Jr.

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