Mean Green Relishing Opportunity in Lubbock

DENTON – The UNT football team will hit the road, looking to improve to 3-0, when the Mean Green travel to Texas Tech on Saturday, with kickoff set for 11 a.m., in Lubbock. The game can be seen on FS1 with the radio broadcast set for 97.1 The Eagle/The Varsity Network.

Head coach Eric Morris and selected players spoke to the media on Tuesday and discussed, among other things, the West Texas and Lubbock connections held by several within UNT's program, the injury-riddled offensive line still looking for continuity, Chandler Morris' hot start on the national stage and the team's reaction to the home crowd last Saturday in Denton.

West Texas roots
As much as UNT head coach Eric Morris preaches the mantra that this week's game in Lubbock is just another game, he readily admits it'll be a little different for him.

When he sets foot on the turf at Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday morning, the memories will come back.

The 2008 win over Texas with Michael Crabtree's game-winning touchdown reception in the closing seconds is the most obvious memory for the former Texas Tech inside receiver, who also found the end zone that night. But he highlighted another memory he holds most fondly in his mind.

And at the crux of it is Morris' mentor, the late Mike Leach.

"We beat Nebraska in overtime that same year," Morris said. "They were ranked, and we were ranked, and I scored the game winning touchdown on a 1-yard end-around. I remember going to the huddle before that play and Mike asking me if I wanted the ball. I won't repeat what I said back to him right here because it's probably not good to say some curse words, but yeah, and he said, 'All right, let's go do it.' And we won the game, so that'd be the memory that sticks with me forever."

Now, Morris is set to make his head coaching debut in his alma mater's stadium, where his mentor roamed the sidelines for 10 years, and that isn't lost on him.

"I think about Mike daily," he said. "I mean, I think Mike has a thumbprint on the way I envision a program being run. Our schematics might be a little different here and there. I mean, Mike would tell me how dumb I am right now because I'm running the ball too much. He was pretty stubborn in that way, but I think he had such a way of running a program and creating tough situations for kids so when they get out there, they're ready to battle that and ready for that adversity.

"There's times I go through old text messages from him. There's times, on a long road trip, and I'll pull up my phone and I look at his number because I want to ask him for advice on something. So, you know, you get flooded with all types of memories when you go back to these places."
Morris isn't alone with his Tech and Lubbock connections, as he was a college teammate of assistant head coach/head strength and conditioning coach Bryan Kegans, and oversaw then-GA Jordan Davis, who was also a receiver for the Red Raiders and worked under Morris during his time on Tech's offensive staff.

There's also senior wide receiver Blair Conwright, who starred in high school for Lubbock Coronado before signing with TCU and eventually ending up in Denton. As someone who grew up in Lubbock, Conwright might be most qualified to tell his teammates what they can expect Saturday.

"I expect a lot of tortillas, for sure. And I expect some tumbleweeds, too," he said. "I guess everybody thinks they are like what they are known for out there. I thought they were everywhere, but clearly not. You don't just see them in Denton going doing University."

OL working on chemistry, continuity
As if losing captain and starting stalwart Jett Duncan to an injury early in the season-opening win at South Alabama wasn't a big enough bit of adversity for UNT's offense, the situation didn't get any better in last week's win over SFA.

Freshman Tyler Mercer, who stepped in admirably for Duncan against South Alabama, left the game with an injury and gave way to sophomore Johnny Dickson III, who was playing out of his natural position. Then, senior right guard Landon Peterson also left last week's game with an injury.

Duncan, Mercer and Peterson are all officially day-to-day, but with a unit that requires so much communication, all of the new faces have been a challenge.

"Continuity up front is one of the most important things in football," Morris said. "They learn to make calls and communicate together, and when you're throwing new guys out there and true freshmen out there, it's a lot. We've thrown some exotic looks at them this week because (Tech is) pretty multiple and play four-down and three-down and have some really good linebackers. First and foremost, we have to figure out who those five guys are and get them some continuity."

Junior quarterback Chandler Morris said he's taken it upon himself as a team leader to make a point to encourage the unit protecting him every game.

"My job is to try to encourage them and build up their confidence and show them I have their back, like I know they have mine," Morris said. "When you plug in new guys that becomes my job is to build up their confidence."

One thing the signal-caller does know is, no matter who is in front of him, they will be ready to seize an opportunity to play if given one.

"Our message has been next man up mentality," he said. "I've been a starting quarterback, gotten hurt and had my job taken. Once you get that opportunity, go take it, and don't look back. That's just part of this game. We're trying o build that competitive culture here, and this is an opportunity for those guys to go play."

Morris looking for another big day under center
It hasn't taken long for Chandler Morris to make his presence known in Denton.

The transfer from TCU has taken the starting quarterback job for the Mean Green and run with it.

Morris is currently second nationally in passing yards per game (368.5) and ranks in the top four nationally in completions per game, passing TDs, passing yards, passing yards per game, points responsible for (first nationally) and total offense per game.

Next up is another opportunity for Morris to add to his resume, as he's preparing to face a Texas Tech defense that is currently 128th out of 133 FBS programs in total defense.

"Their personnel - they've got some dudes," Morris said of Tech's defense. "We're expecting to see a lot of different stuff. They've shown a lot of different stuff on film, so that's what we're expecting. I just have to get back to my basics and back to my progressions and trying to get the ball in space."

Head coach praises crowd from home opener
When UNT opened its home slate last Saturday against SFA in front of 23,510, it was a welcomed sight for head coach Eric Morris and his players.

There were more than 6,000 students in attendance and a filled in crowd throughout DATCU Stadium, and Morris hopes to see more of the same throughout the season.

"A huge shoutout to what The Maniacs are doing out there and getting more people in the stands," Morris said. "What was cool to me was just how many people were talking about, starting with our players, like our players feel that energy and feed off of it. It wasn't just the students, either. The students were phenomenal, but I thought it was just the crowd, overall. I thought the energy was great – on both sides (of the stadium). I think it'll continue to grow, and we need to continue to put a good product on the field where there's stuff to cheer about.

"Hats off to all our fan base, including our students. Hats off to the administration for making it fun. With the walk, the events, the laser show and all the different activities we have going on out there. We have a new beer out – Mean Green Ale, so if you haven't had it yet, here's a plug for Mean Green Ale. Saturdays should be fun here, and that's a good step in the right direction."

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Players Mentioned

Blair Conwright

Johnny Dickson III

Jett Duncan

Tyler Mercer

Chandler Morris

Landon Peterson

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