Numbers and notes: UNT
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 3:03 amSome observations from Denton:
• The SMU offensive balance could not have been more even: 366 rushing yards and 344 passing yards, 15 rushing first downs and 14 through the air. Through two games — albeit against overmatched opponents — the Mustangs are averaging 48 points and 627 yards per game.
• It's only two games, and Texas State and North Texas both are less talented than SMU, so it is premature to suggest that T.J. McDaniel and Ulysses Bentley can replace Xavier Jones and Ke'Mon Freeman. But through two games, the pair is averaging 232.5 yards per game. Good start.
• The Bentley highlight that ended up on SportsCenter was his 84-yard touchdown, but more impressive was his ability to run between the tackles, thanks to more than 30 pounds he has added since he arrived at SMU a year ago. At one point, while running up the right sideline, Bentley lower his shoulder and planted a UNT linebacker rather than stepping out of bounds, a collision that would have had a decidedly different outcome a year ago. More visible is his open-field running. After Bentley broke off a couple of big runs, the UNT defense was on its heels. Bentley's speed is evident, but his ability to smoothly change direction allows him to break off runs in chunks by corkscrewing defenders into the ground.
• The game was not as close as the score. It was effectively over with SMU leading, 34-7, at halftime, and an argument could be made that Chris Naggar's 37-yard field goal that put the Ponies ahead, 24-0, 1:18 into the second quarter basically put the game out of reach.
• The outcome was never in doubt. That said, UNT quarterback Austin Aune did throw for 276 yards. The Mustangs need to generate more pass rush — they mustered just one sack in the game.
• Linebacker Delano Robinson seemed to have an extra level of intensity Saturday. He normally isn't a guy who talks too much, or if he does, he normally isn't very animated about it. But playing in his hometown of Denton, Robinson jawed with with opponents after plays on special teams and defense.
• Danny Gray changes the offense. Teaming him with Reggie Roberson and Rashee Rice and Kylen Granson gives Buechele an impressive assortment of weapons from which to choose.
• Scary sight when defensive end Shabazz Dotson went down after what looked like a hit to the head or neck (or both). Dotson stayed down for quite a while before eventually walking and then jogging off.
• The SMU offensive balance could not have been more even: 366 rushing yards and 344 passing yards, 15 rushing first downs and 14 through the air. Through two games — albeit against overmatched opponents — the Mustangs are averaging 48 points and 627 yards per game.
• It's only two games, and Texas State and North Texas both are less talented than SMU, so it is premature to suggest that T.J. McDaniel and Ulysses Bentley can replace Xavier Jones and Ke'Mon Freeman. But through two games, the pair is averaging 232.5 yards per game. Good start.
• The Bentley highlight that ended up on SportsCenter was his 84-yard touchdown, but more impressive was his ability to run between the tackles, thanks to more than 30 pounds he has added since he arrived at SMU a year ago. At one point, while running up the right sideline, Bentley lower his shoulder and planted a UNT linebacker rather than stepping out of bounds, a collision that would have had a decidedly different outcome a year ago. More visible is his open-field running. After Bentley broke off a couple of big runs, the UNT defense was on its heels. Bentley's speed is evident, but his ability to smoothly change direction allows him to break off runs in chunks by corkscrewing defenders into the ground.
• The game was not as close as the score. It was effectively over with SMU leading, 34-7, at halftime, and an argument could be made that Chris Naggar's 37-yard field goal that put the Ponies ahead, 24-0, 1:18 into the second quarter basically put the game out of reach.
• The outcome was never in doubt. That said, UNT quarterback Austin Aune did throw for 276 yards. The Mustangs need to generate more pass rush — they mustered just one sack in the game.
• Linebacker Delano Robinson seemed to have an extra level of intensity Saturday. He normally isn't a guy who talks too much, or if he does, he normally isn't very animated about it. But playing in his hometown of Denton, Robinson jawed with with opponents after plays on special teams and defense.
• Danny Gray changes the offense. Teaming him with Reggie Roberson and Rashee Rice and Kylen Granson gives Buechele an impressive assortment of weapons from which to choose.
• Scary sight when defensive end Shabazz Dotson went down after what looked like a hit to the head or neck (or both). Dotson stayed down for quite a while before eventually walking and then jogging off.