You could see it in the North Texas fans eyes, another close loss. This time Arkansas State (2-4, 2-2) comes into to Denton to take a 24-19 Sun Belt Conference win. The Red Wolves dropped the Eagles to a 1-5, 1-2 record putting them into a very dangerous position of another losing season.

There were two new players in the lineup for North Texas. After starting quarterback, Nathan Tune; backup quarterback Derek Thompson and last seasons starter Riley Dodge were injured former walk-on quarterback Chase Baine got the starting nod. 

Zack Olen, considered by some scouting services to be one of the top five kickers in the nation, got the starting job as the kicker. His four field goals helped North Texas keep the game close and breathed life into the offense.

The North Texas defense continues to get better as the season rolls on. With the help of some timely blitzes were able to keep the ASU quarterback below his season average of net yards per game.

Several times during the season the ASU offense came to life in the second half but during this game the North Texas defense would not let that happened and held them to only three points.

Baine was under center and using a limited playbook did a good job running the offense. North Texas relied manly on the running game and Lance Dunbar as its primary offensive weapon. After the game Head Football Coach Todd Dodge said Dunbar carried the ball about thirty times while Baine handled it 13 times.

Understandably, Baine was not comfortable in the passing game missing on several passes. Dodge stated they rolled Baine out to help him become more comfortable. He was hit on one play and it looked like he was injured however. It ended up a cramp and was replace with Riley Dodge with the caste on his left, non-throwing, hand. Baine was able to return to the game.

HC Dodge stated if Baine was injured, they would have gone to Riley Dodge to handle the position.   

Dodge “felt the team played well enough to win” and the “players are doing a lot of things right” but things are not just lining up for the team to get a win.