“That really a big win for our program,” North Texas Head Football Coach Dan McCarney said about his team’s 38-21 Homecoming win over the University of Louisiana-Monroe.  “We needed this. It was very important for us” and he added he was proud of the coaching staff and the players.

The defense has been extremely effective during the home games and McCarney said it was a combination of the fans, the coaches and the players. However, he gave the praise to his Defensive Coordinator Clint Bowen. McCarney started to see some positives things and improvements during the Alabama game. When he saw those things “I knew we were getting better.”

McCarney said he told his players the team with the strongest will would win the game and in the end the team with the strongest team won.

The offense was more effective in the ULM game than any other game this season. McCarney felt the reason was the team had “better execution” plus the team players are having faith in and believe in each other.  The coaches are building that faith and believe in one another during the practices. In addition “guys have made up their minds…it time to start making plays.”

McCarney thought it was a fun game to watch and probably the “most complete game” the team has had since he took over the helm of the program. The offensive line is getting better and better each game and as result “it was a big game for Derek Thompson and sure was fun to watch #5 (Lance Dunbar) carry the football.”

The coach felt the offensive line was the reason Christopher Bynes and Ivan Delgado were extremely effective in the ULM game. They gave Thompson the time he needed to put the ball where the receivers could make the plays.

The defense is starting play faster, playing better and playing with confidence and is one of the reasons the team is now plus six in turnovers. He was impressed with the play of Jullian Herron and Zack Orr. Even though they are getting better and better they still has a lot more work to do.

McCarney wanted the team to enjoy the victory for about 24 hours and then they have to get ready to play a “tremendous team in Arkansas State Saturday.”