On The Record: The Best Of Denton, August 14, 2009 Page: 19 of 60
60 pages : ill.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
under his belt at UNT, and many people will be
watching closely for signs of improvement. He said
he believes this team has the potential to be suc-
cessful.
"I expect this team can be a five-to-six win
team," Dodge said. "In the three years we've been
here, it definitely is the most experienced team that
we've had overall and the most talented from the
standpoint of people getting better, recruiting, the
whole deal."
The most improved aspect of the team is in the
depth of its roster. Last season, many of the athletes
were playing out of position just so the team could
fill all the spots. In the upcoming season, everyone
is competing for their spot, Villarreal said.
That makes each position stronger and provides
alternatives if someone is injured or performing
poorly, he said.
The offensive line and linebacking core, which
he refers to as the heart and soul of the team, are
shining examples of both the depth and experience
needed, Dodge said.
"The offensive line has 102 combined career
starts at the college level, and the players are all
returning this season with experience protecting the
passing and running game," he said.
The three starting linebackers are also returning.
Linebacker Tobe Nwigwe made it clear that win-
ning is the top priority.
"None of my personal goals matter if we're not
winning," he said. "But you do have to have per-
sonal goals going into a season, and I plan to be
one of the top linebackers in the nation."
Questions remain
There are still reasons to worry though. There is
almost no experience in the wide receiver, defen-
sive line and quarterback positions.
Llowever, the team signed 22 new players this
year, 13 of them from high school and nine from
junior colleges. Villarreal and Dodge both see
promise in four particular athletes, because they
add depth to the inexperienced wide receivers and
defensive line.
Jamel Jackson and Michael Outlaw are both
junior wide receivers and college transfers. Jackson
transferred from Northwestern State in Louisiana, and
Outlaw transferred from East Mississippi Community
College.
Junior defensive tackles Kelvin Jackson and Shavod
Atkinson are college transfers as well. Jackson trans-
ferred from Itawamba Community College in Missis-
sippi, and Atkinson transferred from Independence
Community College in Kansas. Both are about 6 feet, 2
inches tall and weigh about 300 pounds, Dodge said.
"Everybody in America is very excited to get started,
but a team like us is a little extra excited to wipe that
slate clean," Dodge said. "The only way to make some-
thing right, to get that disappointment out from last year,
is to get a new season in front of us."
UNT football practice begins Aug. 7, with the team's
first game on Sept. 3 at Ball State University in Indiana.
The Mean Green home opener is Sept. 12 against Ohio
University.
View the schedule at http://www.meangreensports.
com/.
Attorney James Mallory
Traffic Tickets Defended
In Fort Worth, Arlington, Grapevine,
Southlake, Hurst, Forest Hill, White
Settlement, North Richland Hills, Richland
Hills, Watauga, Haltom City, Colleyville, Keller,
Bedford, and elsewhere in Tarrant County.
Se to *4
i,spa6oV'
(817) 924-3236
3024 Sandage
Fort Worth, TX 76109-1793
*No promise as to results
*Any fine and court costs are not included in
fee for legal representation
www.JamesMallory.com
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
On The Record: The Best Of Denton, August 14, 2009, periodical, 2009; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145820/m1/19/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.