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UNT Freshmen QBs impressive
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Daniel Meager was a highly rated HS quarterback with a lot of national interest from numerous programs until he broke a leg. Most schools backed off, but UNT stayed with him. He's fully recovered and will be a big plus for the Mean Green.

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Posted on Wed, Aug. 25, 2004

UNT Notes

Freshman QBs impress as they duel for backup spot

By Jeff Wilson

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


DENTON - Two quarterbacks have emerged as candidates to back up starter Scott Hall, and they are running neck and neck for the No. 2 spot on the North Texas depth chart, which opened after the death of Andrew Smith.

Redshirt freshman Joey Byerly, from Orange, and true freshman Daniel Meager, from Richardson, are even after Saturday's 207-play scrimmage, offensive coordinator Ramon Flanigan said Tuesday.

"They did a good job, just out there making plays -- making positive plays and also not making negative plays," said Flanigan, who doubles as the quarterbacks coach.

If the 6-foot-5, 254-pound Byerly has an edge over the 6-1, 180-pound Meager, it's in experience. But Flanigan said Meager is closing that gap each practice.

"Both of those guys are doing a lot of stuff that's very impressive, and we're just going to let it continue to play out," Flanigan said. "But I think they'll probably both get playing time sometime this season."

Linebackers banged up

Redshirt freshman Derek Mendoza, a former walk-on who has emerged as a starter at weakside linebacker, could return to practice next week after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee Monday.

"They thought it was torn, but it's not. It's one of those deals where he should be back fairly quick," defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Kenny Evans said. "That's been a snake-bit position, our Willie linebacker."

Travis Thompson opened preseason practice as the starter there, but suffered a dislocated ankle Aug. 14 and was lost for the season. That bumped Mendoza and true freshman Brandon Monroe up the depth chart. Monroe will start the Sept. 4 opener against Texas if Mendoza is still hobbled.

"He was overlooked in recruiting, big-time," Evans said of Monroe, who starred at Electra, a Class 2A high school. "He came to [a one-day senior camp], and I knew real quick he was a player. There were a lot people who took looks at him, but they sometimes pass over some small-school kids."

Arther McNac and Shawn Early are the other projected starting linebackers in the Mean Green's 4-3 scheme.

Briefly

• In addition to Derek Mendoza and Daniel Meager, running back Jamario Thomas of Longview and defensive end Jeremiah Chapman of China Spring are other true freshmen who could get playing time this season. "We're working with a lot of guys right now, and how much freshmen make an impact will depend on how the season unfolds," coach Darrell Dickey said.

• Colorado sports information director David Plati said the kickoff for the Mean Green's Sept. 18 game in Boulder should be determined later this week.

• Kenny Evans said the cornerbacks were the defense's top unit during Saturday's four-hour scrimmage. Markeith Knowlton returned an interception for a touchdown, and Walter Priestley and T.J. Covington also stood out.
08-25-2004 09:47 AM
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