Mean Green May End Up Black, Blue
North Texas coach Darrell Dickey is something of a hero in Manhattan, Kan.
He played quarterback for Kansas State and helped the Wildcats to the 1982 Independence Bowl, back when bowl berths were as rare at K-State as wins. His dad, Jim, was the coach.
Those were the good ol’ days.
Saturday could be a long day for Dickey. He returns to Manhattan to get clobbered on the football field and pick up a fat check.
Yes, the schedule-maker brings us North Texas vs. No. 4 Kansas State on Saturday. At least, KSU is holding a reunion for KSU’s 1982 team Friday to soften the blow.
The oddsmakers favor Kansas State by 51 points. The Wildcats lead the nation in scoring at 52.3 points. North Texas is last (114) at 4.67, and half its points came via an interception return.
“We will have to play unbelievably well just to stay in the game,” Dickey said. Thank goodness one of Dickey’s closest friends in the coaching business happens to be K-State’s defensive coordinator.
The Mean Green lost to UNLV 38-0 last Saturday, the Rebels’ first shutout since 1973.
Broncos riding high
Boise State (2-1) nearly pulled off the biggest win in school history. The Broncos fell a yard short of taking Arkansas into overtime last Saturday. Receiver Jay Swillie was tackled at the Arkansas 1-yard-line on fourth down as BSU fell 38-31.
“The better team just didn’t win,” safety Shaunard Harts told the Idaho Statesman.
BSU coach Dirk Koetter said he would have opted for a PAT and not a two-point conversion.
The Broncos visit Central Michigan this week as 10-point favorites. If they win, BSU might be favored in every game (including Washington State) the rest of the season.
Four lousy days
Quarterback Jeff Crosbie started 17 straight games for Utah State, but was yanked when the Aggies couldn’t move the ball against I-AA Southern Utah 10 days ago. Jose Fuentes came on, tossed four touchdown passes and was named the starter two days later.
The next day, Crosbie tore a ligament in his thumb on his right (throwing) hand. He’s out for the season.
“We feel very badly for Jeff right now,” coach Mick Dennehy said.
Not so happy returns
Plagued by bobbles and bad decisions, Idaho’s Willie Alderson and Cleavon Bradshaw are being removed from return duty.
Jeffrey Townsley will replace Alderson on kick returns. Alderson averaged just 11.5 yards on four returns against Oregon. If healthy, Tim Sams, who has been slowed by a pulled groin, will replace Bradshaw on punts. Bradshaw has fumbled twice on kick returns and once on a punt.
“Our decision-making on returns is ridiculous,” coach Tom Cable said.
Quick kicks
With two wins, Boise State has more than the rest of the Big West Conference combined. Utah State, which defeated I-AA Southern Utah, is the only other team with a win. … North Texas is on an eightgame losing streak… . A couple Boise-area prep stars doing their thing: BSU’s Brock Forsey, from Centennial High, leads the Big West in rushing (112.7 yards) and all-purpose yards (210.7), and is tied for second in scoring (4 TDs). Idaho’s Willie Alderson, a Nampa product, is second in rushing (111) and allpurpose (172.7), and tied for fourth in scoring (three TDs). … Two stats seemingly at odds: BSU is averaging a Big West-best 34.7 points per game, but is last in third-down conversion pct. (24.4).