North Texas has made it a tough game for themselves. The defense has given the offense enough opportunities to put some distance on Middle Tennessee, but the offense has not taken advantage. The offense has been slow to adjust to Middle Tennessee’s pressure. North Texas leads 17-16.
Fine marched the team down the field to earn the rushing touchdown on the first drive. Torrey had the start today, but it has mainly been the Jaelon Darden and Michael Lawrence show. The offense initially moved well against Middle Tennessee, winning with agility. MT adjusted and considerably slowed down the North Texas offense.
While I was thinking North Texas would focus on rushing the ball against Middle Tennessee, they have focused on the outside pass game. The Fine interception was to the outside, when he expected Greg White to cut inside, when instead White sat on his route.
North Texas defense has played man against the receivers while mostly rushing three. The defense has played conservatively in an attempt to contain O’Hara.
Middle Tennessee was a little more aggressive after the first UNT touchdown, blitzing multiple guys. On some plays, Middle Tennessee had ten guys within five yards of the line of scrimmage. The NT offensive line just can’t block the volume of defenders being blitzed, and passes aren’t being thrown to the inside.
Austin O’Hara frankly doesn’t give a damn (sorry not sorry) about protecting his body, juking guys or drop kicking those he can’t. It seems that the MT offense runs through his legs, and he continues to keep drives alive for his team. The North Texas defense has held, allowing only 16 points on multiple trips to the red zone.
