DRC Football
NORTH TEXAS
August 28, 2014
17
Veterans to anchor UNT offensive line
Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton
North Texas will lean on a trio of senior offensive linemen who are all entering their fourth season as starters. Guard Cyril Lemon, left, is on the watch list for the Lombardi and Outland trophies, while fellow guard Mason Y’Barbo, right, is also on the Lombardi list. Tackle Antonio Johnson is the third member of the key group.
Chemistry developed in three years starting together an asset for decorated trio By Brett Vito Staff Writer
Listening to the veteran members of North Texas’ offensive line talk about what makes them effective can sound a little like an anatomy lesson. Cyril Lemon, Mason Y’Barbo and Antonio Johnson might not be connected in the physical sense when they are on the field. But it feels that way for the core members of what will arguably be the Mean Green’s most important, not to mention talented, unit this season. Y’Barbo has started 37 games at left
guard, while Johnson has started 34 at left tackle. Across the way, Lemon has started 35 games at right guard and 37 overall. All three will be seniors this fall. “Playing together is second nature,” Y’Barbo said. “Antonio is like my left arm out there and Cyril is like a security blanket. You don’t even have to worry about the right side of the line with him out there. “There is definitely a connection. With the continuity that we have, you know where a guy is going to be before the ball
is even snapped.” That trio has helped make UNT’s offensive line one of the nation’s most impenetrable units over the last two years. The Mean Green has allowed 17 sacks in that span, the lowest total among teams playing in the Football Bowl Subdivision. A few players have mixed in with that trio over the last three years and will again this season, including second-year starting center Kaydon Kirby and guard Shawn McKinney. Those players have fit in before and should again because of the foundation UNT’s core trio provides.
Johnson and Y’Barbo both called Kirby one of the smartest players they have ever played with and credited McKinney for playing a key role last season. UNT coach Dan McCarney left little doubt as to what the expectations are for his offensive line. “The offensive line has to be our bell cows and lead not only our offense, but our whole team,” McCarney said. “There isn’t a position on our team that has guys with more experience.” See O-LINE on 18