2023 North Texas Mean Green football team

2023 North Texas Mean Green football
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record5–7 (3–5 AAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJordan Davis (1st season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorMatt Caponi (1st season)
Base defense3–3–5
Home stadiumDATCU Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 22 SMU y$   8 0     11 3  
Tulane y   8 0     11 3  
UTSA   7 1     9 4  
Memphis   6 2     10 3  
South Florida   4 4     7 6  
Rice   4 4     6 7  
Navy   4 4     5 7  
North Texas   3 5     5 7  
UAB   3 5     4 8  
Florida Atlantic   3 5     4 8  
Charlotte   2 6     3 9  
Tulsa   2 6     4 8  
Temple   1 7     3 9  
East Carolina   1 7     2 10  
Championship: SMU 26, Tulane 14
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 North Texas Mean Green football team represented the University of North Texas as a member of American Athletic Conference (The American) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-year head coach Eric Morris. The Mean Green played their home games at DATCU Stadium in Denton, Texas. The North Texas Mean Green football team drew an average home attendance of 17,761 in 2023.

Previous season

[edit]

The 2022 team, the Mean Green's last season as a member of Conference USA (C-USA), finished the regular season with a record of 7–5, going 6–2 in C-USA play to finish second in the conference, tied with Western Kentucky. North Texas was selected for the C-USA Championship Game based on tiebreakers, having defeated Western Kentucky 40–13 in the regular season and played at UTSA (who would also be departing C-USA for the American), losing 27–48. Two days after the championship game head coach Seth Littrell was fired. The Mean Green were invited to the Frisco Bowl with defensive coordinator Phil Bennett serving as the team's interim head coach for the bowl game. North Texas played Boise State in the bowl game, losing 32–35 to finish the season with an overall record of 7–7.

Offseason

[edit]

Coaching changes

[edit]

After 7 seasons, on December 4, 2022, the Mean Green fired head coach Seth Littrell.[1]

On December 13, 2022, the Mean Green hired Eric Morris to be their next head coach, he will be the team's 20th head coach. He was previously the offensive coordinator for Washington State.[2]

On December 28, 2022, the Mean Green hired Chris Gilbert as their assistant head coach he will also coach the tight ends.[3] Also on December 28 they added Drew Svoboda as their special teams coach and associate head coach, Patrick Cobbs as the running backs coach, and Sean Brophy as the quarterback's coach. Additionally, they hired Rolando Surita as their chief of staff.[4]

The next day on December 29, 2022, the Mean Green made five hires. They hired Matt Caponi as their defensive coordinator and cornerback's coach, Jordan Davis as their offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, and Colby Kratch as their linebacker's coach. They also named Bryan Kegans the Director of Strength & Conditioning, and Justin Owens as their Director of Recruiting.[5]

And on December 30, 2022, the Mean Green made the last of their hirings naming Clay Jennings as their safeties coach and Demerick Gary as their defensive line coach.[6]

Schedule

[edit]

North Texas and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) announced the 2023 football schedule on February 21, 2023.[7]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 23:00 p.m.California*ESPNUL 21–5821,350
September 95:30 p.m.at FIU*ESPN+L 39–4615,754
September 166:00 p.m.at Louisiana Tech*ESPN+W 40–3717,434
September 306:00 p.m.Abilene Christian*
  • DATCU Stadium
  • Denton, TX
ESPN+W 45–3121,494
October 72:30 p.m.at NavyCBSSNL 24–2728,648
October 1411:00 a.m.Temple
  • DATCU Stadium
  • Denton, TX
ESPNUW 45–1413,678
October 212:30 p.m.at No. 23 TulaneESPN2L 28–3530,000
October 282:00 p.m.Memphisdagger
  • DATCU Stadium
  • Denton, TX
ESPN+L 42–4518,062
November 42:00 p.m.UTSA
  • DATCU Stadium
  • Denton, TX
ESPN+L 29–3717,354
November 108:00 p.m.at SMUESPN2L 21–4522,043
November 182:00 p.m.at TulsaESPN+W 35–2816,520
November 251:00 p.m.UAB
  • DATCU Stadium
  • Denton, TX
ESPN+W 45–4214,628

Game summaries

[edit]

vs California

[edit]
California Golden Bears (0–0) vs North Texas Mean Green (0–0) — Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Bears 14 19 151058
Mean Green 7 14 0021

at DATCU StadiumDenton, TX

  • Date: September 2, 2023
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 21,350
  • TV: ESPNU
Game information
First quarter
  • (12:53) CAL - Jeremiah Hunter 23-yard pass from Sam Jackson V, Michael Luckhurst kick (Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 0:46; California 7-0)
  • (11:04) UNT - Ja'Mori Maclin 3-yard pass from Stone Earle, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:49; Tied: 7-7)
  • (1:04) CAL - Jaydn Ott 4-yard run, Michael Luckhurst kick (Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards, 1:39; California 14-7)
Second quarter
  • (14:33) UNT - Ja'Mori Maclin 59-yard pass from Stone Earle, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:31; Tied 14-14)
  • (7:30) CAL - Isaiah Ifanse 26-yard run, Michael Luckhurst kick (Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 2:21; California 21-14)
  • (5:42) CAL - Jaydn Ott 66-yard run, Michael Luckhurst kick blocked (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:29; California 27-14)
  • (1:47) UNT - Xzavior Kautai 12-yard pass from Stone Earle, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 1:04; California 27-21)
  • (0:07) CAL - Isaiah Ifanse 8-yard run, two-point pass conversion failed (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 1:40; California 33-21)
Third quarter
  • Isaiah Ifanse 1-yard run, Ben Finley pass to Jack Endries for two-point conversion (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:36; California 41-21)
  • Taj Davis 4-yard pass from Ben Finley, Michael Luckhurst kick (Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 3:15; California 48-21)
Fourth quarter
  • Ashton Stredick 5-yard run, Michael Luckhurst kick (Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:14; California 55-21)
  • Michael Luckhurst 31-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 23 yards, 4:18; California 58-21)
Statistics CAL UNT
First downs 29 9
Plays–yards 95-679 53-225
Rushes–yards 56-357 27-41
Passing yards 322 184
Passing: compattint 27-39-1 15-26-3
Time of possession 39:07 20:53
Team Category Player Statistics
California Passing Ben Finley 24/34, 289 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Jaydn Ott 20 carries, 188 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Jeremiah Hunter 6 receptions, 64 yards, TD
North Texas Passing Stone Earle 12/19, 174 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Isaiah Johnson 6 carries, 34 yards
Receiving Ja'Mori Maclin 4 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD

at FIU

[edit]
North Texas Mean Green (0-1) at FIU Panthers (1-1) – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mean Green 10 10 71239
Panthers 7 10 21846

at Riccardo Silva StadiumWestchester, Florida

  • Date: September 9th
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST
  • Game attendance: 15,754
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics North Texas Florida International
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Texas Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Florida International Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Louisiana Tech

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Mean Green 10 13 7 10 40
Bulldogs 0 14 0 23 37
Statistics UNT LT
First downs 32 21
Total yards 562 432
Rushing yards 249 215
Passing yards 313 217
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 33:24 26:36
Team Category Player Statistics
North Texas Passing Chandler Rogers 24/40, 313 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Ayo Adeyi 19 rushes, 148 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Roderic Burns 11 receptions, 134 yards
Louisiana Tech Passing Jack Turner 9/13, 145 yards, TD
Rushing Tyre Shelton 16 rushes, 152 yards, TD
Receiving Cyrus Allen 5 receptions, 82 yards, TD

vs Abilene Christian

[edit]

at Navy

[edit]
North Texas Mean Green (2-2) vs. Navy Midshipmen (1-3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mean Green 3 7 01424
Midshipmen 0 13 7727

at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, Maryland

  • Date: October 7th
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: W at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h) • Weather: Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 28,648
  • Referee: Tim Rich
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): John Sadack (play-by-play), Randy Cross (analyst) & Sheehan Stanwick Burch (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (2:43) UNT – Noah Rauschenberg 42-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:11; North Texas 3-0)
Second quarter
  • (7:18) NAVY – Alex Tecza 39-yard run, Nathan Kirkwood kick (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:15; Navy 7-3)
  • (2:42) UNT – Chandler Rogers 75-yard run, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:37; North Texas 10-7)
Third quarter
  • (0:43) NAVY – Nathan Kent 26-yard pass from Tai Lavatai, Nathan Kirkwood missed PAT (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:59; Navy 13-10)
Third Quarter
  • (8:26) NAVY – Anton Hall 1-yard run, Nathan Kirkwood kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:34; Navy 20-10)
Fourth quarter
  • (13:01) UNT – Ja'Mori Maclin 18-yard pass from Chandler Rogers, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 14 plays, 93 yards, 4:57; Navy 20-17)
  • (7:07) Navy – Alex Tecza 21-yard run, Nathan Kirkwood (Drive: 1 play, 21 yards, 0:06; Navy 27-17)
  • (5:23) UNT – Ayo Adeyi 47-yard run, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 1:44; Navy 27-24)
Statistics North Texas Navy
First downs 23 21
Plays–yards 69–473 68–406
Rushes–yards 36–206 58–331
Passing yards 267 75
Passing: compattint 22–33–0 4–10–0
Time of possession 26:05 33:55
Team Category Player Statistics
North Texas Passing Chandler Rogers 22–32–0, 267 yards, TD
Rushing Ayo Adeyi 14 carries, 125 yards, TD
Receiving Ja'Mori Maclin 6 receptions, 76 yards, TD
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 4–8–0, 75 yards, TD
Rushing Alex Tecza 17 carries, 137 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Brandon Chatman 1 reception, 38 yards

vs Temple

[edit]

at No. 23 Tulane

[edit]
North Texas Mean Green (3–3) vs No. 23 Tulane Green Wave (5–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mean Green 0 0 21728
No. 23 Green Wave 7 14 7735

at Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA

  • Date: October 21, 2023
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: SE 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 30,000
  • Referee: Nate Black
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (color), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (9:34) TUL – Alex Bauman 2-yard pass from Michael Pratt, Valentino Ambrosio kick (Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 2:58; Tulane 7–0)
Second Quarter
  • (5:12) TUL – Makhi Hughes 10-yard run, Valentino Ambrosio kick (Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:33; Tulane 14–0)
  • (0:17) TUL – Lawrence Keys III 23-yard pass from Michael Pratt, Valentino Ambrosio kick (Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 0:41; Tulane 21–0)
Third Quarter
  • (10:20) UNT – Ja'Mori Maclin 7-yard pass from Chandler Rogers, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards, 2:49; Tulane 21–7)
  • (4:39) TUL – Alex Bauman 21-yard pass from Michael Pratt, Valentino Ambrosio kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:41; Tulane 28–7)
  • (3:05) UNT – Ayo Adeyi 18-yard run, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:34; Tulane 28–14)
  • (0:17) UNT – Oscar Adaway III 1-yard run, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 2:47; Tulane 28–21)
Fourth Quarter
  • (9:08) UNT – Landon Sides 6-yard pass from Chandler Rogers, Noah Rauschenberg kick (Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:35; Tied 28–28)
  • (2:34) TUL – Michael Pratt 19-yard run, Valentino Ambrosio kick (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:34; Tulane 35–28)
Statistics UNT TUL
First downs 23 24
Total yards 426 439
Rushing yards 83 245
Passing yards 343 194
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 27:24 32:36
Team Category Player Statistics
North Texas Passing Chandler Rogers 35/51, 343 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Chandler Rogers 8 carries, 34 yards
Receiving Ja'Mori Maclin 8 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
Tulane Passing Michael Pratt 15/21, 194 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Makhi Hughes 20 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Lawrence Keys III 5 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD

vs Memphis

[edit]

vs UTSA

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Roadrunners 10 17 3 7 37
Mean Green 0 13 0 16 29

at SMU

[edit]
North Texas Mean Green at SMU Mustangs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mean Green 7 7 0721
Mustangs 14 3 141445

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, Texas

  • Date: November 10
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 22,043
  • Referee: Nate Black
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Anish Shroff, Andre Ware, and Paul Carcaterra
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • SMU – Moochie Dixon 8-yard pass from Preston Stone (Collin Rogers kick), 11:39. Mustangs 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:05.
  • UNT – Trey Cleveland 19-yard pass from Chandler Rogers (Noah Rauschenberg kick), 4:47. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 3:50.
  • SMU – RJ Maryland 24-yard pass from Preston Stone (Collin Rogers kick), 0:34. Mustangs 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:13.

Second quarter

  • SMU – Collin Rogers 20-yard field goal, 10:29. Mustangs 17–7. Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 3:42.
  • UNT – Oscar Adaway III 7-yard run (Noah Rauschenberg kick), 7:07. Mustangs 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:22.

Third quarter

  • SMU – Tyler Lavine 5-yard run (Collin Rogers kick), 11:08. Mustangs 24–14. Drive: 3 plays, 17 yards, 0:51.
  • SMU – Jaylan Knighton 20-yard run (Collin Rogers kick), 2:15. Mustangs 31–14. Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 1:29.

Fourth quarter

  • SMU – Camar Wheaton 22-yard run (Collin Rogers kick), 12:44. Mustangs 38–14. Drive: 3 plays, 77 yards, 1:02.
  • SMU – LJ Johnson Jr. 3-yard run (Collin Rogers kick), 4:00. Mustangs 45–14. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 6:38.
  • UNT – Blair Conwright 29-yard pass from Chandler Rogers (Noah Rauschenberg kick), 1:27. Mustangs 45–21. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 2:28.
Statistics UNT SMU
First downs 18 28
Total yards 372 552
Rushing yards 132 318
Passing yards 240 234
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 26:34 33:26
Team Category Player Statistics
North Texas Passing Chandler Rogers 18/31, 240 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Oscar Adaway III 11 rushes, 90 yards, TD
Receiving Trey Cleveland 3 receptions, 72 yards, TD
SMU Passing Preston Stone 11/20, 234 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Jaylan Knighton 17 rushes, 129 yards, TD
Receiving Moochie Dixon 3 receptions, 99 yards, TD

at Tulsa

[edit]
North Texas (3–7, 1–5) at Tulsa (3–7, 1–5) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
North Texas 7 14 14035
Tulsa 7 14 0728

at Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman StadiumTulsa, OK

  • Date: November 18, 2023
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: • Temperature:
  • Game attendance: 16,250
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics UNT TLSA
First downs 22 22
Plays–yards 78–593 77–434
Rushes–yards 47–299 43–183
Passing yards 294 251
Passing: compattint 19–31–0 17–34–1
Time of possession 32:04 27:56
Team Category Player Statistics
North Texas Passing Chandler Rogers 19/31, 294 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Oscar Adaway III 16 carries, 126 yards, TD
Receiving Ja'Mori Maclin 2 receptions, 61 yards
Tulsa Passing Kirk Francis 17/34, 251 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Anthony Watkins 21 carries, 115 yards, TD
Receiving Kamdyn Benjamin 8 receptions, 93 yards, TD

vs UAB

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cruz, Alex (December 4, 2022). "North Texas fires football coach Seth Littrell after seven seasons". WFAA. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  2. ^ "Eric Morris Hired as 20th Head Football Coach". Mean Green Sports. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  3. ^ Eberts, Wescott. "North Texas hires Chris Gilbert as AHC/TEs coach". Burnt Orange Nation. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  4. ^ "Morris Finalizes Initial Group of Football Staff Hires". Mean Green Sports. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  5. ^ "Morris Adds Five more to Football Staff". Mean Green Sports. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  6. ^ Vito, Brett. "UNT set to add Clay Jennings, Demerick Gary to Eric Morris' first staff". Denton Record-Chronicle. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  7. ^ "2023 North Texas Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 7, 2023.