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DEC 7 CONFERENCE USA CO-OEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: North Texas senior WR Jaelon Darden had a record-breaking day in the game against Louisiana Tech, setting new program records for career receiving touchdowns (34) and single-season receiving touchdowns (15). The Houston native hauled in eight passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns. It marked Darden's ninth straight game with at least one TD catch and his FBS-leading third game of the season with three receiving TDs. He remains the FBS leader in receiving touchdowns with 15 through just eight games. He became the program record-holder for career receiving TDs, breaking a tie with Ron Shanklin (1967-69), who had 31 throughout his storied career, in the first quarter with a 13-yard TD grab, where Darden took a wide receiver screen and evaded several Bulldog defenders. Darden's 33-yard TD in the third quarter made him the program record-holder in single-season receiving scores, breaking another tie with Shanklin, who had 13 in his 1967 season. Darden also scored on a screen early in the fourth quarter to pull the Mean Green within 11. - Conference USA Football

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
News Source: Conference USA Football
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12/05/20 - Jaelon Darden, Sr/2021, North Texas, 5-08, 174 (DS#27 WR) + More +

The Houston native came into the game tied with Ron Shanklin for career touchdown catches with 31. Darden's 12 touchdown catches on the season trailed the program record of 13 set by Shanklin set in 1967. Darden caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jason Bean in the first quarter to set the career record. He later caught a 33-yard scoring strike from Bean to grab the single-season mark on his way to finishing with eight catches for 135 yards and three touchdowns. None of that mattered to Darden on a night the Mean Green fell to 3-5 in their final home game of the season. "I am more focused on winning," Darden said. "If I set records, that is good, but I care more about winning, to be honest."

Darden is considered an NFL prospect and said earlier this fall that he has yet to decide if he will return for another season with the Mean Green. If Darden does elect to return, he will have an opportunity to hold nearly all of UNT's receiving records by the time he finishes his college career. He came into the night with 214 career catches, just short of the program record of 229 set by Casey Fitzgerald from 2005-08. Johnny Quinn's total of 2,718 receiving yards is the program record. Darden came into the night with 2,474 yards. Darden now has 222 catches for 2,609 yards in his UNT career. He moved into moved into second place all-time at UNT in receiving yards after passing Casey Fitzgerald (2,533 yards) and Troy Redwine (2,567 yards). - Denton Record

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
News Source: Denton Record
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12/04/20 - Sarah Fuller, rSr/2022, North Texas, 6-1, (DS#999 K) + More +

Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller, the first woman to play in a Power Five college football game, was named this week's nominee for the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. It was announced by the Football Writers Association of America on Wednesday. Fuller, a senior goalkeeper for the SEC champion Vanderbilt soccer team, squibbed the opening kickoff of the second half in a 41-0 loss to Missouri for her only play of the game. The offense didn't get into field-goal range or score a touchdown, which would've given her a scoring opportunity.

Fuller joined New Mexico's Katie Hnida and Kent State's April Goss as the only women to appear in an FBS game. It is Fuller's second award for her debut. She was named SEC special teams co-player of the week on Monday. Fuller is preparing to play at No. 10 Georgia on Saturday (3 p.m., SEC Network). She is the only kicker on the depth chart. But interim coach Todd Fitch said Ryley Guay, last year's kicker, may rejoin the roster. - Tennessean

(DS#999 K) rSr/2022

K Sarah Fuller, North Texas
News Source: Tennessean
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12/03/20 - Jaelon Darden, Sr/2021, North Texas, 5-08, 174 (DS#27 WR) + More +

Senior wide receiver Jaelon Darden has separated himself as one of the elite receivers in the country. He caught eight passes for 143 yards and a touchdown last week at UT San Antonio. His 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter was the longest catch of his career and the longest offensive play for the Mean Green this season. Darden is among the nation's leaders in all three primary receiving categories heading into Week 14, with 58 receptions (T-7th in FBS), 882 yards (9th) and 12 touchdowns (tied for the lead in FBS) through just seven games. - North Texas Football

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
News Source: North Texas Football
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11/30/20 - Sarah Fuller, rSr/2022, North Texas, 6-1, (DS#999 K) + More +

NOV 30 SEC CO-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sarah Fuller, PK, Vanderbilt,...Fuller made history Saturday, becoming the first woman ever to officially take the field during a football game in a and major conference football game...Served as the Commodores' primary kicker during the team's contest at Missouri...She took the opening kickoff of the second half against the Tigers, as her perfectly-executed kick sailed 30 yards and was downed at the Missouri 35-yard line. She joined the likes of New Mexico's Katie Hnida and Kent State's April Goss as the only females to appear in a Football Bowl Subdivision contest. - SEC Football

(DS#999 K) rSr/2022

K Sarah Fuller, North Texas
News Source: SEC Football
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11/29/20 - Sarah Fuller, rSr/2022, North Texas, 6-1, (DS#999 K) + More +

Sarah Fuller was playing around with a teammate a couple months ago when she kicked a soccer ball through the uprights from 45 yards away. She joked about being able to kick a football with teammates during the Southeastern Conference soccer tournament. She made history against Missouri. Fuller became the first woman to participate in a Power Five conference football game when she kicked off for Vanderbilt to start the second half against the Tigers.

Fuller kicked with a holder rather than using a tee in a designed squib kick, and the senior sent a low kick to the 35-yard line where it was pounced on by Missouri's Mason Pack. Fuller didn't get any other opportunities in Vanderbilt's 41-0 loss to Missouri Coach Derek Mason made clear that Fuller kicked for the Commodores due to need, not for history or publicity. COVID-19 protocols and restrictions left Mason with very few options, prompting him to reach out to the soccer team for help. - AP College Football

(DS#999 K) rSr/2022

K Sarah Fuller, North Texas
News Source: AP College Football
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11/28/20 - Sarah Fuller, rSr/2022, North Texas, 6-1, (DS#999 K) + More +

Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller became the first woman to participate in a Power Five conference football game when she kicked off to start the second half against Missouri on Saturday. Fuller kicked off the turf with a holder rather than using a tee, and she sent a low kick to the 35-yard line where it was pounced on by Missouri's Mason Pack. Fuller didn't get any opportunities in the first half as the Tigers opened a 21-0 lead over the Commodores. Fuller, a senior goalkeeper on the Vanderbilt soccer team, joined the football team this week after helping the Commodores win the Southeastern Conference Tournament last weekend. COVID-19 protocols and restrictions left Vandy football coach Derek Mason with a limited number of specialists available against Missouri. Mason reached out to soccer coach Darren Ambrose for some help. - AP College Football

(DS#999 K) rSr/2022

K Sarah Fuller, North Texas
News Source: AP College Football
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11/27/20 - Sarah Fuller, rSr/2022, North Texas, 6-1, (DS#999 K) + More +

History will be made in Missouri on Saturday. Sarah Fuller will become the first woman to participate in a power-conference football game when she serves as Vanderbilt's kicker. The soccer team's goalie, Fuller was brought in with a number of special teams players being unable to play due to positive COVID-19 tests. "It hits me every now and then I'm like, "Whoa this is all happening," the Wylie, Texas native told the school's official website. After helping the women's soccer team win the SEC Tournament, Fuller was ready to head home. Then, she got a call from associate head coach Ken Masuhr, asking her if she had ever kicked a football. "Would you want to be a kicker on the football team?" Masuhr asked her. "Would you be able to stay here this weekend and be a kicker for the football team?" Soon, she was on the practice field, showing what she could do. Fuller doesn't lack confidence. She was watching winless Vanderbilt's game against Florida on Saturday with her soccer teammates and told them she could be a college kicker if given an opportunity. Now that chance has arrived. - The New York Post

(DS#999 K) rSr/2022

K Sarah Fuller, North Texas
News Source: The New York Post
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11/24/20 - Dion Novil, rSr/2022, North Texas, 6-1, 300 (DS#25 DT) + More +

North Texas coach Seth Littrell and his staff issued a simple challenge to defensive tackle Dion Novil over the last few days. They are well aware of the havoc the senior can cause. Defensive coordinator Clint Bowen and defensive line coach Eric Mathies pleaded for it. "Mathies and Bowen told me throughout the week I needed to be in the backfield and start making plays," Novil said. That's exactly what Novil did on Saturday during the Mean Green's 27-17 win over Rice at Apogee Stadium.

Novil finished with five tackles for loss among eight total stops and also forced two fumbles as he continued to cement his place in program history. The former Abilene Wylie standout came into the day with 23 tackles for loss in his career. That total left him just outside of the top 10 in the statistic that has been kept since 1996. Novil jumped all the way to seventh in program history, past UNT Hall of Famer Zach Orr and a handful of other recent program standouts, with his performance against Rice. "Dion was huge," Littrell said. "It's started to click for him in our last game. He is understanding how to play in this defense. He's strong, powerful and is tough to block." - Denton Record

(DS#25 DT) rSr/2022

DT Dion Novil, North Texas
News Source: Denton Record
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11/23/20 - Dion Novil, rSr/2022, North Texas, 6-1, 300 (DS#25 DT) + More +

NOV 23 CONFERENCE USA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: North Texas senior DL Dion Novil wreaked havoc all afternoon in the Mean Green's 27-17 win over Rice on Saturday. The Abilene, Texas, native led North Texas with a season-high eight tackles (seven solo), a career-high 5.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a sack on Senior Day. His 5.0 tackles for loss put him in 11th place all-time in program history with 28.0 in his career and marked the second-most in a single-game for the Mean Green in program history. The Mean Green defense held the Owls to just 49 yards rushing, 132 below their season average through the season's first two games (181.0). - Conference USA Football

(DS#25 DT) rSr/2022

DT Dion Novil, North Texas
News Source: Conference USA Football
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11/22/20 - Will Jones II, rSr/2026, North Texas, 5-10, 190 (DS#37 FS) + More +

Kansas State now is up to 10 players in the NCAA's transfer portal, with defensive back Will Jones II entering his name Friday. A K-State spokesman confirmed to The Mercury via text Wednesday afternoon that Jones was transferring. The news was first reported by GoPowercat.com. With Jones' addition Wednesday, the Wildcats have had 10 players transfer since August. Jones is the fourth defensive back in the transfer group, joining Walter Neil Jr., Jonathan Alexander and Tyrone Lewis. Others include defensive linemen Derick Newton, Ronald Triplette and Matthew Pola-Mao, wide receiver Joshua Youngblood, running back Thomas Grayson and linebacker Demarrquese Hayes. - Manhattan Mercury

(DS#37 FS) rSr/2026

FS Will Jones II, North Texas
News Source: Manhattan Mercury
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10/31/20 - Kameron Hill, rSr/2022, North Texas, 6-2, 246 (DS#80 DE) + More +

Blair Zepeda kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired, rallying Abilene Christian to a 20-17 victory over Mercer on Saturday, foiling Mercer's final chance to win a game in 2020. The Bears (0-3) won't play again until the Southern Conference begins in February. Abilene Christian (1-4) had marched 79 yards with its opening drive to grab a 7-0 lead when Jermiah Dobbins ran it in from the 9, but then fell behind until the game was nearly over. Peyton Mansell - who completed 25 of 33 passes for 236 yards - pulled the Wildcats even at 17-17 when he found Kobe Clark for a TD with 5:49 remaining. Mercer was forced into a three-and-out, setting the stage for Mansell to lead a 12-play, game-winning drive. Harrison Frost completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards and a TD for Mercer. The Bears picked up 166 yards and another score on the ground, but 141 yards came in the first half. Lance Wise recorded a career-high 20 tackles for Mercer, which played its only home game this year. - AP College Football

(DS#80 DE) rSr/2022

DE Kameron Hill, North Texas
News Source: AP College Football
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10/20/20 - Jaelon Darden, Sr/2021, North Texas, 5-08, 174 (DS#27 WR) + More +

North Texas wide receiver Jaelon Darden continued to move up on the Mean Green's list for career receptions during UNT's 52-35 win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday at Floyd Stadium. Darden came into the game with 192 career catches and vaulted past Carlos Harris for second on UNT's all-time leaders list after grabbing 10 passes for 204 and a touchdown. Harris caught 197 passes during his time with the Mean Green that spanned from 2012-15. Darden now is chasing UNT Hall of Famer Casey Fitzgerald, who holds UNT's career record of 229 catches. Fitzgerald played for UNT from 2005-08. Darden caught his 200th career pass early in the second half. "Darden had made a lot of big plays for us," UNT coach Seth Littrell said. "You never know the way teams are going to play him, bracketing him or doubling him. They didn't do that tonight." That decision left MTSU's defensive backs facing Darden in one-on-one situations. Darden has won those battles throughout the season. He came into the night with nine touchdown catches on the season and continued to shine in UNT's win over the Blue Raiders. - Denton Record

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
News Source: Denton Record
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10/20/20 - Jordan Rucker, rJr/2024, North Texas, 5-11, 190 (DS#999 CB) + More +

North Texas cornerback Jordan Rucker has opted out of the season. A school spokesman confirmed the redshirt sophomore's decision to the Denton Record-Chronicle late Friday night. The former Denton Ryan standout played in two games since arriving in the summer as a transfer from Purdue. He finished with seven tackles in two games and had not played since UNT's loss to SMU in the second game of the season. Rucker was expected to contend for a starting job. Freshman Upton Stout and junior Quinn Whitlock are listed as UNT's starters heading into a game Saturday at Middle Tennessee. - Denton Record

(DS#999 CB) rJr/2024

CB Jordan Rucker, North Texas
News Source: Denton Record
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10/19/20 - Jaelon Darden, Sr/2021, North Texas, 5-08, 174 (DS#27 WR) + More +

Scoring and other offensive numbers continue to rise through seven weeks of the college football season, and the weekend showed why. Clemson scored 73 points against Georgia Tech, North Texas hung 52 on Middle Tennessee, Memphis had 50 against Central Florida, and the week began with Arkansas State outscoring Georgia State 59-52. Seven teams have scored at least 63 points in a game this season. Over the entire 2019 season, a team hit 63 points 18 times. And remember, only 77 of 130 FBS teams have played so far because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Big Ten and Mountain West Conference open their seasons this week and the Pac-12 and Mid-American Conference start the first week of November.

The FBS scoring average of 30.3 points is up more than a point from last season and slightly ahead of the record of 30 points per game in 2016. The average of 3.89 touchdowns per team is slightly ahead of the record 3.82 in 2016. The total offense average of 412 yards is on pace to be the second-highest since the NCAA started keeping records in 1937, behind the record 417 yards per game in 2016. Five teams have gone over 700 yards in a game; North Texas has done it twice. The combined 1,501 yards between UCF (798) and Memphis (703) was an American Athletic Conference record. Other offensive outbursts Saturday saw North Texas pile up a program-record 768 yards against Middle Tennessee and Clemson go for 671 against Georgia Tech. - AP College Football

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
News Source: AP College Football
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