Eagles Blast Florida International University, 52—14
This is for you, Ed Whittemore!
U. N. T. now has a record of 6 wins and 4 losses for the season and a Conference U. S. A. record of 5 wins and 1 loss. They have two more regular season games to play, the most interesting and important being RICE University on November 26 at Apogee Stadium in Denton.
North Texas scored 24 unanswered points in the opening quarter, allowed their opponents to tally 14 in the 2nd on what I call “fluke” plays and weird official calls, and then played shut-out football the remainder of the game, while adding 21 more points in the 2nd quarter and 7 in the 4th. I was happy to see that it looked as if the bench was cleared, allowing all the guys to see some action. The UNT cannon, so loud it scared the women and children around us, fired often, and the cheerleaders had many, many reasons to do handstands and cheers.
And, oh, my, the UNT Band and auxiliary members were magnificent at halftime as they covered the field and brought the crowd to its feet. I think I saw “Mean” Joe Greene and Abner Haynes walking around smiling and giving “high fives.” (Maybe not!)
This outing was organized by Weston, assisted by his wife, Katie, and also assisted by his brother, Waylon. Three other contributing members of the group were Luke, Vivian, and Don Themer. The afternoon began with a visit to the “Voertman’s Bookstore,” which I am told is the place to sell and buy books and find other college needs, and a drive around the campus area. Then, our group hiked across the Interstate 35 Cross-Over to the still fairly new Apogee Stadium and its facilities/ amenities. From there, we moved on to the “mixer” and lunch (steaming tacos, beans, rice, tortillas, iced tea, etc.) at the new Alumni Center (Wes/Katie saved spots for us all!) and then a walk around the stadium areas inside and out. It is a beautiful area! We bought bottomless popcorn and soft drinks, peanuts, sausage, chips, and cotton candy for Luke, who said it was “the best.”
During a lull in the game, Luke and Waylon climbed to the highest point of the stadium in the stands behind the goal posts, even higher than the camera crews, and then did it again. Waylon admitted his legs were “burning” a little. And, Viv made a visit to the apparel shop and came back with a wonderful sweatshirt she plans to wear again our next visit.
A little more information about the football aspects….. Quarterback Austin Aune had an outstanding game, completing 25 of 34 passing attempts for 414 yards and five touchdowns and getting tremendous blocking and great route running from his teammates. This sixth victory with two games to go assures UNT of a post-season game and keeps them in the run for the Conference-USA Championship game, as the conference has eliminated its divisions and gone to sending its top two regular season teams to their TITLE GAME. The Mean Green’s defensive players were also awesome as they held their opponent to just a dozen 1st downs and 258 total net yards, despite giving substitutes substantial playing time.
I think you are getting the message that it was a wonderful outing and a great game and that we have all decided to make the homecoming trip an annual one— and to get our legs and stomachs into shape before then! Luke made one more trip to the top of the stadium behind where we all were sitting, and then it was back to the vehicles and visiting on the way home.
P. S. I know that “scads” of Forneyites, including all three Themer boys, have earned degrees at UNT, and we found Brett Stallard’s name on the donor wall and Ed and Kay Whittemore’s on the pavement bricks of the new Alumni Center. Stallard and Mr./Mrs. Whittemore (Forney folks) are a few years apart in age, but are not nearly as old as the University, which has been there since 1890, when it was founded as a Teacher’s College!
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