North Texas coach Eric Morris and quarterback Chandler Morris both had long track records of success before they teamed up this fall with the Mean Green.
UNT’s coach was the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and Washington State in addition to a memorable stint as the coach at Incarnate Word. Chandler Morris thrived as the quarterback at TCU before injuries derailed his career.
It only stood to reason that the two would thrive together.
Eric Morris is seeing signs that their chemistry is reaching a new level heading into UNT’s game at Florida Atlantic on Saturday.
Chandler Morris enters that game ranked eighth nationally with 1,643 passing yards following the Mean Green’s first bye of the season.
“It’s been fun to watch. He made a couple of checks in the game that we were talking about on the sideline,” Eric Morris said of UNT’s 52-20 win over Tulsa in its American Athletic Conference opener on Sept. 28 during his weekly press conference Tuesday. “We said, ‘If they give us this look again, let’s go ahead and get to this play.’
“As he becomes a little bit more in tune and in sync with the way I call plays, he’s been better about communicating.”
The results have been impressive. The junior threw for 439 yards and five touchdowns while leading UNT past Tulsa, sending the Mean Green into their bye week at 4-1.
Morris earned Offensive Player of the Week honors from the AAC for his performance.
“It’s simple,” Chandler Morris said. “Whenever I take care of the football, I’m playing at an elite level. That’s been my focus, protect the football and give my guys chances.”
Plenty of UNT players have received opportunities with the Mean Green’s Morris combo leading their offense.
Eight different UNT players have caught touchdown passes on the year.
Those players have helped Chandler Morris rack up 16 touchdown passes, a total he will look to improve after a much-needed week off.
“I tried to get a little bigger,” he said. “It’s been good for me to eat more, and we lifted pretty heavy in the weight room.”
UNT getting healthier
UNT’s bye week came at a good time for the Mean Green, who are dealing with a host of injury issues.
Wide receiver Damon Ward Jr., who missed the Mean Green’s win over Tulsa, is still working his way back from an injury. Eric Morris said his status for Saturday’s game against FAU will be a game-time decision.
Ward has 16 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
UNT will still be without running back Ikaika Ragsdale, who has missed each of the Mean Green’s last three games.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” Morris said of Ragsdale.
Coach: UNT’s thoughts with Florida residents
Eric Morris said he couldn’t provide any updates on the status of Saturday’s game as Hurricane Milton continued to churn through the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida.
He did say his thoughts are with the people in the state in the path of the storm
“Our prayers go out to everybody who lives in Florida right now,” he said.
UNT officials have been in contact with their counterparts from FAU as the game approaches.
UNT preparing for grass surface
UNT will play on a grass surface at FAU.
It will be a new experience for the Mean Green, who play on an artificial field at DATCU Stadium and in most of their road games.
UNT does have two grass fields it works out on frequently. The Darrell Dickey Football Practice Facility is just outside the Lovelace & McNatt Families Practice Facility.
“We’re going to have to be good on grass,” Eric Morris said. “Luckily, we practice on grass all the time. With the weather coming in, it could be a factor.”
UNT aiming to maintain focus
UNT has struggled at times in road games on the East Coast, where it has won just one of its last five games.
The Mean Green are 4-10 in games against Florida schools in games played in the Sunshine State since 1950.
“Those games, we probably just weren’t prepared like we should have been,” cornerback Ridge Texada said. “We just have to prepare throughout the week, focus on the little things, get the proper rest, sleep and recovery.
“You have to execute the plan.”
Texada set for another showdown with FAU
Texada enjoyed his breakout game against FAU in 2022. He finished with two interceptions and four pass breakups.
Texada returned one of those interceptions 58 yards for a touchdown. He brought the other back 60 yards to the Owls’ 1-yard line.
“That was the game that kind of showed me that I belong here,” Texada said. “It was definitely one of my favorite moments in college. It put me on a path for growth.”
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