2018 North Texas Mean Green football team

The 2018 North Texas Mean Green football team represented the University of North Texas in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mean Green played their home games at the Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by third-year head coach Seth Littrell. They finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in C-USA play to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the New Mexico Bowl where they lost to Utah State.

2018 North Texas Mean Green football
ConferenceConference USA
DivisionWest Division
2018 record9–4 (5–3 C-USA)
Head coachSeth Littrell (3rd season)
Offensive coordinatorGraham Harrell (3rd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorTroy Reffett (3rd season)
Base defense3–3–5
Home stadiumApogee Stadium
(Capacity: 30,850)
2018 Conference USA football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
East Division
Middle Tennessee x  7 –1     8 –6  
Marshall  6 –2     9 –4  
FIU  6 –2     9 –4  
Charlotte  4 –4     5 –7  
Florida Atlantic  3 –5     5 –7  
Old Dominion  2 –6     4 –8  
Western Kentucky  2 –6     3 –9  
West Division
UAB x$  7 –1     11 –3  
North Texas  5 –3     9 –4  
Louisiana Tech  5 –3     8 –5  
Southern Miss  5 –3     6 –5  
UTSA  2 –6     3 –9  
UTEP  1 –7     1 –11  
Rice  1 –7     2 –11  
Championship: UAB 27, Middle Tennessee 25
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions

Following a 44–17 victory over Arkansas and a 3–0 record, the Mean Green received votes in both the AP Poll (4 votes) and Coaches Poll (5 votes), the first time since 2013 North Texas received votes in a poll.[1]

Previous season

The Mean Green finished the 2017 season 9–5, 7–1 in C-USA play to win the West Division. They lost the C-USA Championship Game to Florida Atlantic. They received an invite to the New Orleans Bowl where they lost to Troy.

Preseason

Award watch lists
UNT QB Mason Fine at 2018 C-USA media days

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Rimington Trophy[2] Sosaia Mose C JR
Maxwell Award[3] Mason Fine QB JR
Davey O'Brien Award[4] Mason Fine QB JR
Fred Biletnikoff Award[5] Jalen Guyton WR JR
Fred Biletnikoff Award[6] Michael Lawrence WR JR
John Mackey Award[7] Kelvin Smith TE JR
Paul Hornung Award[8] Kelvin Smith TE JR
Wuerffel Trophy[9] Quinn Shanbour QB SR
Walter Camp Award[10] Mason Fine QB JR
Manning Award[11] Mason Fine QB JR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award[12] Mason Fine QB JR

Preseason All-CUSA team

Conference USA released their preseason all-CUSA team on July 16, 2018, with the Mean Green having two players selected.[13]

Preseason media poll

Conference USA released their preseason media poll on July 17, 2018, with the Mean Green predicted to finish as champions of the West Division.[14]

West Division
Predicted finish Team
1North Texas
2Louisiana Tech
3UAB
4Southern Miss
5UTSA
T–6Rice
T–6UTEP

Schedule

North Texas announced its 2018 football schedule on January 23, 2018. The 2018 schedule consists of six home and six away games in the regular season. The Mean Green will host C–USA opponents Florida Atlantic, Louisiana Tech, Rice, and Southern Miss, and will travel to Old Dominion, UAB, UTEP, and UTSA.[15]

The Mean Green hosted two of their four non-conference opponents, SMU from the American Athletic Conference and Incarnate Word from the FCS Southland Conference, and traveled to Arkansas from the Southeastern Conference and Liberty which is a FBS Independent. North Texas won all four non-conference games to begin the season.

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 16:30 p.m.SMU*
StadiumW 46–2329,515
September 86:30 p.m.Incarnate Word*
  • Apogee Stadium
  • Denton, TX
ESPN+W 58–1618,538
September 153:00 p.m.at Arkansas*
SECNW 44–1762,355
September 225:00 p.m.at Liberty*
ESPN3W 47–714,112
September 296:30 p.m.Louisiana Tech
  • Apogee Stadium
  • Denton, TX
beINL 27–2930,105‡
October 66:30 p.m.at UTEP
beINW 27–2412,809
October 131:30 p.m.Southern Miss
  • Apogee Stadium
  • Denton, TX
ESPN3W 30–718,252
October 206:30 p.m.at UAB
beINL 21–2928,014
October 273:00 p.m.Rice
  • Apogee Stadium
  • Denton, TX
ESPN+W 41–1725,375
November 102:30 p.m.at Old Dominion
ESPN3L 31–3418,062
November 158:30 p.m.Florida Atlantic
  • Apogee Stadium
  • Denton, TX
CBSSNW 41–3818,338
November 246:00 p.m.at UTSA
ESPN+W 24–2119,874
December 151:00 p.m.vs. Utah State*
ESPNL 13–5225,387
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time
Schedule Source:[16]
  • ^‡ Largest attendance recorded at Apogee Stadium.

Game summaries

SMU
See also: 2018 SMU Mustangs football team and Safeway Bowl
Overall record Last meeting Result
5–31–1 2017 SMU, 54–32
SMU Mustangs at North Texas Mean Green
1 2 34Total
Mustangs 0 0 02323
Mean Green 14 6 161046

at Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 93 °F (34 °C) • Weather: partly cloudy • Wind: SE 12 MPH
  • Game attendance: 29,519
  • Referee: Tracy Jones
  • TV announcers (Stadium): Chris Hassel (play-by-play), A. J. Hawk (color), Kristen Balboni (reporter)
  • Source:
Game information
North Texas in action against SMU

The Mean Green's offense went off with 529 total yards, including 444 passing yards from junior quarterback Mason Fine. North Texas's defense held SMU's offense to only 256 yards, forced a turnover, and held the Mustangs scoreless through the first three quarters.[17] 29,519 people attended the game, setting an attendance record at Apogee Stadium.[18] This record would be broken 4 weeks later against Louisiana Tech.

Incarnate Word
See also: 2018 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
First meeting
Incarnate Word Cardinals vs. North Texas Mean Green
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 6 0 10016
Mean Green 10 31 14358

at Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX

  • Date: September 8
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Weather: overcast • Wind: N 5 MPH
  • Game attendance: 18,538
  • Referee: Joe Lehring
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Source:
Game information

at Arkansas
See also: 2018 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
0–9 2007 ARK, 66–7
North Texas Mean Green at Arkansas Razorbacks
1 2 34Total
Mean Green 17 17 3744
Razorbacks 0 10 0717

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR

  • Date: September 15
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C) • Weather: partly cloudy • Wind: NNE 6 MPH
  • Game attendance: 62,335
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (SECN): Dave LaMont (play-by-play), Ray Bentley (color), Tera Talmadge (reporter)
  • Source:
Game information

at Liberty
See also: 2018 Liberty Flames football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
First meeting
North Texas Mean Green at Liberty Flames
1 2 34Total
Mean Green 14 7 62047
Flames 0 7 007

at Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA

  • Date: September 22
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. CDT/6:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) • Weather: rainy • Wind: NNE 11 MPH
  • Game attendance: 14,112
  • Referee: Gary Patterson
  • TV: ESPN3
  • Source:
Game information

Kickoff was delayed until 6:48 p.m. due to rain and lightning. With the victory, the Mean Green started a season 4–0 for the first time since 1966.[19]

Louisiana Tech
See also: 2018 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
7–9 2017 UNT, 24–23
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at North Texas Mean Green
1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 6 20 3029
Mean Green 21 0 6027

at Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX

  • Date: September 29
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Weather: overcast • Wind: ESE 9 MPH
  • Game attendance: 30,105
  • Referee: Ken Antee
  • TV: beIN
  • Source:
Game information

at UTEP
See also: 2018 UTEP Miners football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
15–8–3 2017 UNT, 45–10
North Texas Mean Green at UTEP Miners
1 2 34Total
Mean Green 7 3 10727
Miners 3 7 01424

at Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX

  • Date: October 6
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Weather: sunny • Wind: SW 11 MPH
  • Game attendance: 12,809
  • Referee: Daniel Gautreau
  • TV: beIN
  • Source:
Game information

Southern Miss
See also: 2018 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
6–6 2017 UNT, 43–28
Southern Miss Golden Eagles at North Texas Mean Green
1 2 34Total
Golden Eagles 0 7 007
Mean Green 0 10 61430

at Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX

  • Date: October 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 60 °F (16 °C) • Weather: overcast and rain • Wind: NE 12 MPH
  • Game attendance: 18,252
  • Referee: Justin Elliot
  • TV: ESPN3
  • Source:
Game information

at UAB
See also: 2018 UAB Blazers football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
1–2 2017 UNT, 46–43
North Texas Mean Green at UAB Blazers
1 2 34Total
Mean Green 7 14 0021
Blazers 3 7 91029

at Legion Field • Birmingham, AL

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 60 °F (16 °C) • Weather: overcast, cool • Wind: 10 MPH
  • Game attendance: 28,014
  • Referee: Jonathan Noli
  • TV: beIN
  • Source:
Game information

Rice
See also: 2018 Rice Owls football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
4–4 2017 UNT, 30–14
Rice Owls at North Texas Mean Green
1 2 34Total
Owls 7 3 7017
Mean Green 10 7 32141

at Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX

  • Date: October 27
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 25,379
  • Referee: Billy Williams
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Source:
Game information

at Old Dominion
See also: 2018 Old Dominion Monarchs football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
1–0 2017 UNT, 45–38
North Texas Mean Green at Old Dominion Monarchs
1 2 34Total
Mean Green 14 14 3031
Monarchs 0 10 141034

at Foreman Field • Norfolk, VA

  • Date: November 10
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 18,062
  • TV: ESPN3
  • Source:
Game information

Florida Atlantic
See also: 2018 Florida Atlantic Owls football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
4–8 12/2/2017 FAU, 41–17
Florida Atlantic Owls at North Texas Mean Green
1 2 34Total
Owls 7 14 10738
Mean Green 17 3 14741

at Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 18,338
  • TV: CBSSN
  • Source:
Game information

at UTSA
See also: 2018 UTSA Roadrunners football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
2–3 2017 UNT, 29–26
North Texas Mean Green at UTSA Roadrunners
1 2 34Total
Mean Green 10 7 7024
Roadrunners 0 14 0721

at Alamodome • San Antonio, TX

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 19,874
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Source:
Game information

vs. Utah State (New Mexico Bowl)
See also: 2018 Utah State Aggies football team and 2018 New Mexico Bowl
Overall record Last meeting Result
3–4 2004 UNT, 31–23
North Texas Mean Green vs. Utah State Aggies
1 2 34Total
Aggies 14 24 7752
Mean Green 7 0 6013

at Dreamstyle Stadium • Albuquerque, NM

  • Date: December 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 25,387
  • TV: ESPN
  • Source:
Game information

Statistics

Scoring
Scores against non-conference opponents
1 2 3 4 Total
Opponents 6 17 10 30 63
Mean Green 55 61 39 40 195
Scores against C-USA
1 2 3 4 Total
Opponents 9 34 3 14 60
Mean Green 28 13 22 21 84
Scores against all opponents
1 2 3 4 Total
Opponents 15 51 13 44 123
Mean Green 83 74 61 61 279

Awards
  • Head coach Seth Littrell has been selected to join the American Football Coaches Association board of trustees[20] along with Stanford head coach David Shaw and North Dakota State University head coach Chris Klieman.

Coaching changes
  • Tashard Choice Named Mean Green Running Backs Coach [21]

References
  1. "2018 NCAA College Football Polls and Rankings for Week 4". ESPN. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  2. "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  3. "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  4. "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players". July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  5. "2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  6. "2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  7. "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  8. "43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  9. "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  10. Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  11. "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018". August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  12. "2018 Nominations The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award" (PDF). August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  13. http://conferenceusa.com/news/2018/7/16/football-fb-2018-preseason-awards.aspx
  14. http://conferenceusa.com/news/2018/7/17/football-fb-preseason-media-poll.aspx
  15. "North Texas Releases 2018 Football Schedule" (Press release). University of North Texas Department of Athletics. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  16. "2018 North Texas Mean Green Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  17. "SM vs. North Texas - Game Summary - September 1, 2018". ESPN. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  18. Gregory, Dekota (September 25, 2018). "North Texas Notebook: Seth Littrell challenges fans to set new attendance record agaist La Tech". SB Nation. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  19. "Ground Game Powers North Texas To 47-7 Win". University of North Texas Athletics. September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  20. "Head coach Seth Littrell has been selected to join the American Football Coaches Association board of trustees". Jan 9, 2018. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  21. "Tashard Choice Named Mean Green Running Backs Coach". January 5, 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.