MIAMI vs NORTH TEXAS
Thursday, Dec. 23 -- 3:30 p.m. ET
Toyota Stadium -- Frisco, TX
ESPN
By MIKE SMITH
Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin has often mentioned the slim margin that separates many MAC programs on the scoreboard, with one or two plays often determining outcomes. Not only did the 2021 season illustrate Martin's observation, he own RedHawk program brought the point home. Miami lost three MAC games this year -- all by a total of four points.
The 48-47 overtime loss at Kent State Nov. 27 left MU watching the MAC Championship game, but the RedHawks have a chance to close out 2021 on a winning note if they can knock off North Texas Thursday in the Frisco Bowl Classic. Like Miami, the Mean Green bring a 6-6 mark to the matchup, but their march to bowl participation was more or less a tale of two seasons.
North Texas opened with a win, but lost six straight games against some formidable foes. However, it got back to winning with a 30-24 overtime win over Rice Oct. 30 and has not lost since. The most impressive victory was UNT's last outing when it overpowered No. 22 (and previously undefeated) Texas San Antonio 45-23.
"These last five weeks, they kind of simplified it. They said, 'Hey, we're really good at running it, and that's what we're going to do.' They've controlled clock. They've helped their defense (to) not be on the field as much."
UNT has run for over 300 yards in each of its last two games and in three of its last four.
Martin explained that while the Mean Green are still capable of "taking their shots" down field on occasion, they have refined the ground game to include a wide variety of looks, plays and schemes.
"We've seen everything they've done in the run, but they do them all every (game). It's a very good formula for them.
Miami's challenge is exacerbated by a number of injuries on defense. In some cases, younger players with limited game experience may need to step into the breech. "I'm still optimistic . . . we're going to be able to get stops defensively," Martin said. "I feel good about our preparation. We'lll see."
Here's more on the two teams . . .
NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN (6-6, 5-3 C-USA)
• This is the first meeting between NTU and Miami.
• As the crow flies, the Toyota Stadium is just 19.11 miles from the Mean Green’s Apogee Stadium.
• The Mean Green enter Thursday’s game versus Miami 0-4 in bowl games under sixth-year head coach Seth Littrell. UNT is 3-9 all-time in bowl games. Its last bowl victory came on Jan. 1, 2014, in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. UNT beat UNLV 36-14 in the 2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl.
• North Texas (2021), Old Dominion (2021) and Miami Ohio (2016) are the only teams in the AP Poll Era (since 1936) to win 6 games after starting 1-6 or worse.
• North Texas earned bowl eligibility by defeating previously undefeated rival No. 15 UTSA on Nov. 27. The 45-23 victory over UTSA in Denton marked the program’s first win over a nationally ranked opponent since 1974 (14-9 over No. 20 San Diego St.) and just the second ever win over a nationally ranked opponent. UNT had been 1-47 all-time versus ranked opponents.
• After possessing one of the worst statistical defenses in the country in 2020, UNT head coach Seth Littrell made the bold move to hire an entire new defensive staff led by DC Phil Bennett. The move is paying dividends as the Mean Green are allowing allowing 143.9 less yards per game in total defense from 2020 to 2021, the biggest improvement in the nation.
• During North Texas’ current five-game winning streak, the Mean Green defense is holding its opponents to an average of just 17 points per game. In the first seven games of the year prior to the current winning streak, UNT’s defense was giving up an average of 35 points per game.
• Junior linebacker KD Davis, a 2021 first-team all-conference selection, leads Conference USA defenders with 107 tackles (25th, FBS) and is third in TFL with 15.5 (T22, FBS). He recorded his first career touchdown with a 43-yard fumble return
for a score at Southern Miss.
• RS freshman DL Grayson Murphy and Gabriel Murphy are key pieces of the UNT defense, starters and most notably identical twins. Both redshirted their freshmen seasons in 2019 and have transitioned from linebackers to edge rushers. Grayson starts at defensive end, while Gabriel plays the hybrid ‘Devil’ position.
• During North Texas’ five-game winning streak, the Mean Green offense is averaging 47.8 more yards per game and scoring 13.4 more points per game than during its first seven games of the year.
• UNT is averaging 246.2 yards per game on the ground this season, the third-best total among FBS programs. It also stands as the fifth best per game average in program history and the tops since 1959.
• Senior running back DeAndre Torrey is one of the nation’s top active rushers for his career with 3,228 yards (9th, FBS) and 36 touchdowns (6th, FBS). He is also sixth in all-purpose yards (4,775) and fifth in total touchdowns scored (41).
• North Texas’ offensive line combined has made 133 starts led by junior Manase Mose (47) who also has the most career starts on the entire team.
• Through 12 games, North Texas ranks 12th nationally with only 14 sacks allowed this season and has not allowed a sack in the last three games and has given up only two in the last six games.
• Sophomore quarterback Austin Aune has showed true dual-threat ability this season. He has rushed for 297 yards on 71 carries in 2021. Over the last three games, Aune has thrown for three touchdowns and rushed for two.
• Aune was a second round MLB Draft pick in the 2012 draft by the New York Yankees. He played six years in the Yankees’ farm system and made it as high as high-A with the Tampa Yankees. Aune is the third oldest non-specialist in the country and 10th oldest player overall.
• Former UNT walk-on and third-year receiver Roderic Burns entered the 2021 season with 14 career receptions for 180 yards and no touchdowns. He was placed on scholarship Sept. 17 and now leads the team with 54 receptions, 715 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2021.
• Once again in 2021, the RedHawks spent much of their season trying to not only win a MAC Championship, but also dig out from a tough non-conference schedule. Miami went 1-4 outside the MAC, with losses to No. 8 Cincinnati, Minnesota and Army -- all on the road. The RedHawks lone road win in 2021 was a 24-17 victory at Ball State.
• All three MU conference losses were on the road and by two points or less -- Eastern Michigan, 13-12; Ohio, 35-33; Kent State, 48-47 (OT). The latter setback came when MU failed to convert a two-point try in overtime, allowng preseason favorite Kent State to win the MAC East and a ticket to the MAC title game.
• A Miami strength has been defense, particularly against the run, but often with an ability to pressure quarterbacks.
• RedHawk defenders earning First or Second Team All_MAC honors were DL Kameron Butler, Linebacker Ivan Pace, DL Lonnie Phelps, LB Matthew Salopek and DB Sterling Weatherford. DL Dominique Robinson was a third-team selection.
Pace averaged 9.7 tackles per game and owns four sacks. Salopek averaged 9.tackles, while butler's 1.17 TFL per game was third among MAC defenders. Three RedHawks were among the MAC's top 10 in tackles for loss.
• Among 12 MAC teams, Miami's defense ranked second in scoring (23.8 ppg), third in total defense (372.8 ypg), third against the rush (150.7 ypg), and sixth in passing defense (221.1 ypg).
• Sophomore quarterback Brett Gabbert missed significant time due to injury early in the year. Classmate AJ Mayer stepped in, completing 54.4 percent of his passes with six TDs and two interceptions. However, as Gabbert returned to the lineup - and eventually form -- he helped MU rise to a league-best 282.6 ypg. Completing 58.2 percent of his attempts, the sophomore led MAC quarterbacks in passing efficiency. He tossed 24 TDs and five picks over nine games. Though not exactly a dual-threat QB, he can extend plays and pick up some first downs to keep drives moving.
• The arrival of Penn State transfer Mac Hippenhammer gave MU another threat, and the 5-11 junior has paid dividends. He finished the regular season with 48 catches for 786 yards (16.4 ypc) with five TDs -- four in the last four games.
• Junior Jalen Walker has 27 catches for 362 yards and 4 scores, while Jack Coldiron has filled in at tight end.
• One of Miami's early issues was a very young and inexperienced offensive line. Two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior top the current two-deep. Developing the group, as well as a very young running back corps, has been a process.
• The RedHawks have averaged 143.0 ypg on the ground (8th MAC) and their 14 rushing TDs are 11th. Overall, they averaged 4.2 ypc (8th) over 12 contests.
• Keyon Mozee led Miami rushers with 113 carries for 479 yards and four TDs. However, Kevin Davis and Tyre Shelton have combined for 106 trips, 754 yards and five scores.
• There is youth on special teams, as well. Freshman Graham Nicholson was thrust into the placekicking role and has hit 13 of 17 field goals, with a long of 49 yards. A few midseason PAT misfires seem to have been ironed out. Overally, he went 33 of 37 on points after.