Brandin Byrd
What a great return to bowlsville for the Mean Green of The University of North Texas as they took ESPN’s Heart of Dallas Bowl 36-14 over the University of Nevada – Las Vegas! As proclaimed at the post-game trophy presentation, the Eagles say this is “just the beginning.”
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Although perfectly sportsmanlike, polite and extremely complimentary of his opponent, UNT mentor Dan McCarney had set the tone for the game, the day before at the press conference. Seeing his enthusiasm — a colorful quote machine of a coach — led at least one blogger to expect the UNT win.
Fans hadn’t seen green in a bowl since 2004. The bowl loss in Dallas on New Year’s Day was the first for UNLV, previously 3-0 in post-season play.
Thompson Throws On 1st
Glen Rose, Texas product Derek Thompson, the UNT QB, was the game’s offensive MVP – 21 of 30 pass completions on the day for 256 “air miles.” Running back Brandin Byrd rushed for 55 yards on 20 carries for the Green.
FUMBLE of the day > No Wi-Fi for “The Wi-Fi Guy” covering the game for the third time, sequestered down in the lower level of the press box of the storied Cotton Bowl stadium with many noisy fans and few actual members of the media.
We’re grateful for the opportunity, but also have the cutting edge ability to improve your social media moxie. Love the time on the sidelines for the game – 4 pings.
FYI — Lots more photos from the game experience on our Facebook page:
BEST run of the day > From our perch in the lower press box after the game, had a great view of a leprechaun-like, green-shirted UNT fan being chased full-speed by a police officer, from the end zone to about the 50, before the fan on the run ducked into a sea of green at the trophy celebration. If only I’d had a laser pointer …
In the “live action,” the Eagles pretty much dominated the UNLV Rebels for most of the game after The Rebs’ first drive, although it didn’t show int the stats until Denton’s finest pulled away in the fourth quarter. The Rebs scored first, and fired their cannon just after 7 minutes elapsed in the first quarter, going ahead 7-0.
Sacked
The Green Meanies countered with four unanswered TDS, the first with 1:47 left in the first quarter … 7-7 and they built a 28-7 lead by 4:56 left in the final period. The Eagles capped off the day with a 15-yard run by Brelan Chancellor with 2:24 left to play. Chancellor also scored on a 3-yard run earlier in Q4. It was the 34-yard TD reception by UNT’s Darnell Smith, with 6:59 left in the fourth that put the game out of reach at 28-7, and put a ring in my ears, as I photo’d the catch from a vantage point near the UNT cannon. Ouch.
The Running Rebels first score, the first of the game, came on 9-yard pass from Caleb Herring to Marcus Sullivan … the culmination of a 95-yard march down the field. The other UNLV score, also through the air – Herring to Jerry Rice Jr., from 13 yards out. YES, Rice Jr. is the son of Hall of Famer, 49er Jerry Rice. The catch was his first TD reception, in his last college game, after transferring to UNLV from UCLA.
BEST call of the day … whoever dialed up the sunshine and 60-degree weather in Dallas in the heart of winter.
Know what I sayin?
Separated From Headgear
