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August 28, 2014
NORTH TEXAS
DRC Football
Jimmerson ready for chance to start By Brett Vito Staff Writer
There might not be a more proven path to success with the North Texas football program than earning the right to start at running back. Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Abner Haynes jump-started his career by starting for the Mean Green. So did Patrick Cobbs and Lance Dunbar, players who also went on to play in the NFL in just the last few seasons. Antoinne Jimmerson has a long way to go to follow in those players’ footsteps on the pro level, but he’s in position to be like them in one regard. The junior could join the list of players to start at running back for the Mean Green. Jimmerson entered fall practice listed at the top of a depth chart loaded with talented running backs and could get the start when UNT opens the season at Texas. The opportunity is one Jimmerson has been thinking about and preparing for the last several months after serving as a backup behind Brandin Byrd last season. “I have to keep working hard and remember what I learned from the other running backs who have been here like Dunbar and Byrd,” Jimmerson said. “They showed me how to be a leader and a great running back. Now I get to take over and be the captain.” That role was filled last season by Byrd, a player head coach Dan McCarney trusted and leaned on throughout a breakout season for the Mean Green. Byrd carried the ball 202 times and rolled up 1,075 yards as a senior. The former Copperas Cove standout finished his career ranked eighth on UNT’s all-time career rushing leaders list with 2,202 yards. McCarney has made it clear that he intends to rotate multiple running backs like last season. Jimmerson benefited from that approach when he posted 446 rushing yards as a sophomore and 544 yards as a freshman. Whether Jimmerson secures the right
Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton
NORTH TEXAS: GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Running back Antoinne Jimmerson has been a key weapon for North Texas for years and is on the verge of clearing the 1,000-yard mark in career rushing yards. The junior, who has 990 yards in two seasons, is in position to start and follow in the school’s long line of great running backs that includes Patrick Cobbs and Brandin Byrd.
to start will depend largely on his approach, not to mention the progress of Reggie Pegram. The senior missed the last five games of the 2013 season with a knee injury, but is back to full strength heading into the season. A host of other young running backs have also made an impression, including sophomore Rex Rollins. “Jimmerson has a lot of work to do to be our No. 1 guy,” McCarney said. “Reggie Pegram looks like a million bucks and Rex Rollins might be in the best shape of any running back on our team.” No matter what UNT’s rotation looks like, it’s safe to assume that Jimmerson will be a big part of it because of his dy-
namic playmaking ability. He exploded on the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2012 when he scored the game-winning touchdown in a 30-23 win over Louisiana-Lafayette on a swing pass he took 78 yards to the end zone. Last season, Jimmerson scored on a 42-yard run and a 46-yard reception in a key win over Rice. Jimmerson’s teammates can sense his determination to build on that performance this fall. “Jimmy is taking it seriously,” senior offensive lineman Antonio Johnson said of his opportunity to shine this season. See JIMMERSON on 13
MEAN GREEN Quick facts Conference: Conference USA 2013 Record: 9-4 (6-2 Sun Belt) Coach: Dan McCarney (18-19 in three seasons at UNT, 74-104 in 15 seasons overall) Returning starters: five on offense, four on defense Key Players: OL Cyril Lemon, OL Mason Y’Barbo, WR Carlos Harris, LB Derek Akunne, CB Kenny Buyers, S Lairamie Lee Offense: Spread Defense: 4-3 School enrollment: 36,168 Stadium: Apogee Stadium