North Texas football: Mean Green hoping for bounce-back 2020 season
New quarterback will be key to success in 2020
Mason Fine was the greatest quarterback in school history and his production will be hard to replace. That being said, there are some talented options that are waiting and the most likely successors will be either Austin Aune or Jason Bean and both have just a little game experience.
The offense will have a new co-coordinator with Mike Bloesch coming over after spending the last few season at Tulsa. It was a misfortune for North Texas to have spring practice canceled because that was going to be key in identifying who was going to replace Fine this season.
Whoever is the starter at quarterback will have the luxury of handing the ball off to Tre Siggers, who was the leading rusher for the Mean Green last season, gaining 853 yards and six touchdowns. He may have to take on more of a workload with a new quarterback being implemented and he could see an even bigger gain in his stats.
Backup tailback DeAndre Torrey is also back after backing up Siggers last season.
The Mean Green will possess one of the most talented receiving corps in the conference and it will be the strength of the team and will help ease the transition to a new quarterback.
Jaelon Darden was the leading receiver for North Texas last season and was a first team All-Conference USA selection after having a season where he finished with 76 catches for 736 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jayire Shorter and Deonte Simpson are also back and are big-play threats down the field. Tight end Jason Pirtle is back as well and that will give the new quarterback yet another target to throw to.
The offensive line will be a work in progress, with five of seven guys with playing experience are now gone. Left tackle Jacob Brammer and right guard Manase Mose are back and will anchor the line in 2020.
There’s a lot of talent at the skill positions, but there is uncertainty at quarterback and offensive line and not having spring ball to work on these did not help. Expect early growing pains, but the offense will get clicking and be one of the conferences best.