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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, 5-09, 191 (DS#999 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#999 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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10/17/20 - Jaelon Darden, Sr/2021, North Texas, 5-08, 174 (DS#27 WR) + More +

Jaelon Darden is solidifying his status as a UNT great. Jaelon Darden came into the season with a chance to carve out a significant legacy in UNT history. The senior is capitalizing on that chance while establishing himself as one of the top players in C-USA. Darden caught 13 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns in the Mean Green's loss to Charlotte. The performance helped him continue to climb UNT's career leaders lists. Darden now ranks third in program history with 192 receptions. He has a chance of surpassing the record of 229 set by Casey Fitzgerald from 2005-08. Darden is on track to be a first-team All-C-USA selection as well as a UNT Hall of Famer. "I study film and know where I need to be," Darden said after the game. "If I take care of small things, everything else will take care of itself." - Denton Record

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
News Source: Denton Record
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10/16/20 - Jaelon Darden, Sr/2021, North Texas, 5-08, 174 (DS#27 WR) + More +

The question with UNT heading into the year was if it had any hope of making a run at a bowl game after losing standout quarterback Mason Fine to graduation. Those hopes appear dim at best nearly halfway into the season. UNT was always going to miss Fine, the two-time C-USA Offensive Player of the Year. The emergence of Aune has helped. He's thrown for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns with just two interceptions after starting the Mean Green's last two games. Wide receiver Jaelon Darden is having a monster year. The senior has nine touchdown catches in four games. He went off for 244 yards and three touchdowns in UNT's loss to Charlotte. The reality for UNT is a big year from Darden isn't translating into wins. The Mean Green have too many holes throughout the rest of their lineup, partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and injuries that have ravaged the roster. - Denton Record

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
News Source: Denton Record
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10/15/20 - Tommy Bush, rSr/2024, North Texas, 6-4, 204 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Kirby Smart's news conference Monday contained a serious and surprising injury update. Redshirt sophomore receiver Tommy Bush was involved in some sort of weekend car accident. Rivals reported that Bush was struck by a car on Saturday night while crossing a street in Athens. "Thankfully, he's safe," Smart said Monday. "He's got a little bit of a concussion and he's got some injuries, but we're thankful he's OK. It was a dangerous situation, so glad he's OK." Smart didn't confirm details of the incident, calling it a "minor accident." Bush has been in a reserve role for his career in Athens. He has one reception in his career, with none so far in 2020. - Macon Telegraph

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2024

WR Tommy Bush, North Texas
News Source: Macon Telegraph
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10/14/20 - Jaelon Darden, Sr/2021, North Texas, 5-08, 174 (DS#27 WR) + More +

Jaelon Darden put together one of the more memorable performances of his career on Saturday. The senior wide receiver caught 13 passes for 244 yards in a notable performance in program history. Unfortunately for Darden and UNT, it came in a 49-21 loss to Charlotte at Apogee Stadium. "Darden always brings it," UNT coach Seth Littrell said. "He has the mindset and confidence to go out there and make plays. He is going to give it everything he has on every snap. He has grown over time. This is his fourth season and has played a lot of ball. He plays fast and is a great player." That was evident in the Mean Green's loss to the 49ers. Darden caught three touchdown passes and kept UNT's hopes to rally for a win over Charlotte alive late in the second half. He caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Austin Aune early in the fourth quarter that pulled UNT within 35-21. "I study film and know where I need to be," Darden said. "If I take care of small things, everything else will take care of itself." - Denton Record

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

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

Jaelon Darden continues to play well and sophomore wide receiver Deonte Simpson keeps coming on for UNT. Darden caught his sixth touchdown pass of the season and had 13 catches for 104 yards against Southern Miss. Simpson added five catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Those two receivers will continue to help UNT excel in the passing game. - Denton Record

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
News Source: Denton Record
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10/08/20 - Austin Aune, rJr/2023, North Texas, 6-2, 215 (DS#42 QB) + More +

Austin Aune made his first start for North Texas in its game against Southern Miss on Saturday at Apogee Stadium. The former Argyle standout enjoyed a few good moments, make a couple of mistakes and left it all with an empty feeling after the Golden Eagles knocked off the Mean Green 41-31 at Apogee Stadium. "To me it's all wins and losses," Aune said. "I don't care if we run for 500 yards and get zero passing yards. I want to get the ball to our playmakers and win football games." UNT didn't come close to that goal on a night when it was shorthanded across the board due to injuries and the impact of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing. UNT announced before the game that it would be without seven players, including starting linebackers Tyreke Davis and Kevin Wood. UNT needed its offense to carry the team without those players. Aune threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns. It just wasn't enough for the Mean Green to pull out the win. Aune played in each of the Mean Green's first two games of the season. Aune enjoyed a breakout performance in UNT's loss to SMU on Sept. 19, throwing for 276 yards and two touchdowns. That performance earned him the starting job on a night when Bean didn't play. - Denton Record

(DS#42 QB) rJr/2023

QB Austin Aune, North Texas
News Source: Denton Record
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10/02/20 - Jaelon Darden, Sr/2021, North Texas, 5-08, 174 (DS#27 WR) + More +

The list of teams Jaelon Darden has played for, or was expected to join, during his football journey points toward a restless soul. The Houston native played at two high schools, was forced to sit out part of his senior season after transferring, and committed to three colleges, including one that pulled his scholarship offer. Darden never found a long-term home until he landed at North Texas, where he's become a cornerstone for the Mean Green. The senior is in his third year as a starter, ranks second in program history with 24 career touchdown catches and has emerged as a team leader as well as one of the more productive players in college football in a pandemic-impacted season.

Darden leads the nation in touchdown catches with five heading into the Mean Green's Conference USA opener against Southern Miss (0-3, 0-1) on Saturday at Apogee Stadium, despite the fact UNT (1-1) has played just two games. "The journey has been hard, but then again, it wasn't with the things I have been through," Darden said. "They didn't faze me at all. I just took it on the chin and ran with it." - Denton Record

(DS#27 WR) Sr/2021

WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas
News Source: Denton Record
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09/24/20 - Will Jones II, rSr/2026, North Texas, 5-09, 191 (DS#999 FS) + More +

Will Jones' first start at Kansas State was filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, his big plays on special teams and defense led to two of K-State's four touchdowns against Arkansas State. But on the other, the Wildcats suffered a disappointing 35-31 loss in their Sept. 12 season opener. Jones also was flagged for pass interference on a play that helped set up a Red Wolves score. "It was exciting, but as a result, we've just got to get those," Jones, a redshirt freshman, said of the loss. "For myself and the team, emotions were flying in the first game and being excited to play, but at the end of the day we've got to execute business."

Coming off a bye week, the Wildcats will try to get back on track Saturday in their Big 12 opener at No. 3-ranked Oklahoma. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. at Memorial Stadium in Norman. For the most part, Jones took care of his business at nickel back against Arkansas State, picking off one pass and breaking up another. And his blocked punt on the game's first series led to a quick score and early lead for K-State. Perhaps Jones' biggest weapon is his raw speed. Thompson said it would come down to a footrace between Jones and wide receiver Joshua Youngblood for fastest player on the team. Jones, who gave his 40-yard dash time as 4.3 seconds - well, actually more like 4.39 - picked himself. "I'm going to have to take that," he said with a smile. "I'm the fastest." - Topeka Capital Journal

(DS#999 FS) rSr/2026

FS Will Jones II, North Texas
News Source: Topeka Capital Journal
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