It was a historic game this past Saturday when North Texas went helmet to helmet against Big Ten Conference member Indiana.  It was the first time North Texas faced a Big Ten member and they got their first win. It was the first win in Apogee Stadium and the first win for first year Head Coach Dan McCarney.

North Texas was able to overcome some early player mistakes to go up 24-0 on the Hoosiers.  However, with under 12 minutes left in the game, it seemed the North Texas coaches did everything they could to loose the game. 

In the forth quarter, after an IU interception and score, with an obvious forthcoming onside kick, North Texas did not have the right special team players on the field. Instead special teams lined to to accept a deep kickoff and as a result, IU recovered the onside kick. Everyone in the stands seem to deflate at the situation. However, North Texas’ rose to the occasion forcing a punt.   

It appeared at this point the offense went into the play not to lose game mode. After the last interception by Derek Thompson at the 11:04 mark, North Texas did nothing but try to run the ball to chew up the clock. IU was expecting the running game, stopped it and as a result North Texas went two,  three and outs.

With 6:50 left in the game and UNT up 24-7, IU went into a hurry up offense with a new quarterback. The North Texas secondary looked confused like they were still waiting for which defensive alignments to use from the sideline coaches. The result was an easy 44 yard touchdown strike to a wide open player. Fans were wondering why North Texas was falling apart. The Hoosiers close the gap to 24-14.

Once again IU tried on onside kickoff but the North Texas team was ready and the ball was fielded by Chris Bynes.  After UNT went three and out, they kicked the ball back to IU. North Texas was able to force three and out but a pass interfence call gave them a new set of downs.  Once again they were methodical going to the line of scrimmage but then they quickly to the line and once again North Texas was unprepared. The result was another 67 yard touchdown to strike to a wide open receiver. The score at this point was 24-21. Fans all of sudden were looking for North Texas to grap defeat from the jaws of victory.

North Texas was ready for the next onside kick which was recovered by Brandon Byrd to preserve the win.

Was impressed with several things during the game. QB Thompson was quick on his passes and accurate on his throws.  Working with his receivers they made the IU defense look defensiveless especially during the first half.

Receiver Chris Bynes would not be denied in getting his first career touchdown catch. It seemed to keep the tone of the game, North Texas was not going to be denied a win. Reciever Mike Outlaw got his reception at the back of the endzone with defenders all around him. Thompson threated the needle to get the ball to him and Outlaw did everything to stay inbounds and keep the defender from getting an interception.

While most fans watch the high profile positions, they overlook the guys in the trenches. Without them making holes or keeping the defenders out of the quarterback’s face, the offense will simply not perform.  An interesting one to watch was Mason Y’Barbo, #57. He looks more like a center setting up than an offensive lineman. He looked undersized along the line but he played with a lot of heart. When he locked up on a defender, he was on him like glue. Even when the defender was about to overpower him and push him backwards he set his clits in the turf leaving skid marks but never giving up.

When he was on his back he still was fighting the defender, he looked like a cat that was about to be baptized. 

Was he effective? Running Back Lance Dunbar got several of his big runs going through the holes Y’Barbo created. On a couple of Thompson’s QB keepers he went to Y’Barbo side for fine gains. A lot of the running plays that secured long runs around the end were to Y’Barbo’s side.

In addition, the offensive line did not give up any quarterback sacks. Impressive compared to last year.

On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary did something that was not present last year. In this game they had sure handed tackles. There was no arm tackling or breaking of tackles. Everyone wrapped up the ball carrier in his tracks and dropped him.  On several tackles the defenders were driving the ball carrier backwards on contact.  

The secondary also covered the receivers like a blanket. There was not much room for the IU quarterback to get the ball to his receivers.  In addition, IU’s passes were lobbed to the receivers and not delivered with authority.  The result was North Texas grapping one interception by Royce Hill, forced a lot of incomplete passes and nearly had two more interceptions.   

Congratulations to Brandon Aikpunka with two sacks along with Michael Stojkovic and Julian Herron getting one each. Those numbers will scare any quarterback.

North Texas will being running into a buzzsaw at Tulsa. They lost one of their former players in a boxing match and the game will be raising funds for his kids. However, if North Texas keeps their attitude going into the Tulsa game the same as they had during the Indiana game and are able to run the ball to control the clock they should do okay.

We will look at Tulsa next.