After winning just two games in his first season, spring practice was obviously very important for second-year coach Todd Dodge.

First, he hired Gary DeLoach as the team's defensive coordinator after the Mean Green ranked last in defense last year when they allowed more than 45 points a game.

DeLoach was UNT's defensive coordinator during its dominant run in the Sun Belt when the league was formed in 2001.

However, while the defense made strides in the spring, it remains a question mark. UNT returns six starters and it should be solid at linebacker and better in the secondary, but the defensive line is a question mark.

Offensively, UNT moved the ball against most opponents, but scoring touchdowns was a problem. The Mean Green focused heavily this spring on better execution in the red zone.

Sophomore quarterback Giovanni Vizza was the league's freshman of the year last season, but he could be pressed for playing time by Riley Dodge, the son of the coach.

UNT's receiving corp should be outstanding, led by senior Casey Fitzgerald, who caught more than 100 passes for more than 1,000 yards. However, the group should be deeper this season with the development of sophomore Sam Dibrell and freshman Sam Roberson.

The Mean Green should be a lot more competitive in the Sun Belt this season, but it will ultimately depend on how much progress the defense makes.

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