Know Wyoming’s Foe: North Texas Mean Green

* A University of Wyoming press release contributed to this report

LARAMIE -- The Wyoming Cowboys hit the road for the second time this season heading to the Lone Star State for a meeting with North Texas of the American Athletic Conference on Saturday evening inside DATCU Stadium in Denton, Texas.

It is the first meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.

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The contest will kick at 5 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+ with James Westling calling the action with Leger Douzable analyzing the action. The game will also be available on the 26 stations of The Cowboy Sports Network with Keith Kelley on the call, Kevin McKinney on color and Erick Pauley on the sidelines.

White Returns to the Defensive Backfield: Safety Isaac White returned to the field for the Pokes against BYU and recorded a career-high 10 tackles and added a pass breakup late in the first half that halted a drive of BYU and held the Cougars to a field goal. He leads the team with 19 tackles on the season and is averaging 9.5 tackles per game for the season.

Against the American Athletic Conference: The Cowboys and North Texas will meet on Saturday marking the 15th meeting against a current member of the American Conference. Wyoming is 8-6 against the conference but has only played Tulsa as current members of the conference. UW is 1-1 in those two games.

Tackles at the Defensive End Spot: Defensive end Sabastian Harsh has been solid all around for the Cowboys. He has 18 tackles for the season, which is tied for second on the team. He also leads the squad with 3.5 tackles for loss. He leads all defensive linemen in the Mountain West Conference in tackles.

Turnover Titan Makes Play: Nickel Wrook Brown recorded an interception in the first quarter against BYU. It marked the first interception of the season for the Cowboys. It was the fourth of his career with the Cowboys. A native of Texas, he will return to his home state, but will miss the first half after a targeting penalty in the second half of Wyoming's loss to BYU.

Another Tough Challenge: The Cowboys face another tough task on the road against North Texas. The Mean Green are 2-1 on the season. The four opponents on the Cowboy schedule so far this season at a combined 10-2 on the season.

King Makes Plays All Over: Wide receiver Tyler King was making plays all over for the Cowboys. The Texas native grabbed a career-high three receptions for a career-high 52 yards. That was a season-high receiving for a Cowboy this season. He also added a 25-yard kick return. He ranks first in the MW and No. 13 in the nation with just over 25 yards per return this season.

Svoboda Through The Air: Quarterback Evan Svoboda recorded a career-high 140 yards passing. He also added 32 yards on the ground. He had 14 completions for the second highest after having 17 against Texas last season.

Nanke Hauls in Pass: Tight end Clay Nanke added a 24-yard reception against BYU. It was the first of the season and career for Nanke. Wyoming’s tight ends have six catches for 55 yards through the first three games of the season.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

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* Cowboys can't hang with Cougs in 34-14 setback

* Tuck's Take: How long is Evan Svoboda's leash?

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* LIVE FILE: Wyoming Cowboys vs. BYU Cougars

* 7220sports.com Kickoff Show: Bring on Brigham Young

* Q&A With Wyoming AD Tom Burman

* UW fans react to "Disloyal Four" leaving for Pac-12

* BREAKING: Four MW programs bolting for the Pac-12

Sargent Has Career Day: Wide receiver Jaylen Sargent added two catches against BYU tying a career-high he had against Ohio in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl in 2022. He had 18 yards against the Cougars with a career-best 12-yard reception.

Finding Different Targets: The Pokes had 11 different players record a reception against BYU. The most the Cowboys had last season was nine in a contest. It was the most in a game since Wyoming had 11 different players catch a pass against Texas in 2009.

Third Down Defense: The Cowboys held BYU to 2-of-11 on third down for the night. Over the last two games, Wyoming is holding opponents to 3-of-24 for 12.5 percent. UW ranks third in the MW and No. 24 in the nation holding teams to 28.2 percent on third downs.

About North Texas: The Mean Green (2-1) is coming off a 66-21 loss at Texas Tech last Saturday. Three turnovers by North Texas helped the Red Raiders score 35 points in the second quarter and 42 unanswered points to close the first half after a competitive first 15 minutes.

Quarterback Chandler Morris had two touchdowns and three interceptions before watching most of the fourth quarter from the sideline.

"(He's) playing at a high level," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said. "He's the (passing coordinator's) son and he gets the ball out really well. He does those things at a high level."

The entire offense does.

North Texas, which opened the season with a 52-38 win at South Alabama and defeated Stephen F. Austin 35-20 in Denton, enters the matchup with Wyoming ranked 34th in the FBS in scoring offense (36.0 ppg) and 24th in total yards (469.0 ypg).

"They've got good players, you know, offensively," Sawvel added. "They play with a lot of tempo, a lot of pace. They can create explosive plays."

The Mean Green defense is 129th in points allowed (41.3 per game) and 127th in yards allowed (472.0 per game).

Morris, despite the rough outing in Lubbock, is completing 65.2% of his passes and averaging 299.7 passing yards per game with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Wide receiver Damon Ward Jr. is averaging 93.7 yards receiving with two touchdowns.

Ward, along with fellow receiver Jeremiah Aaron, are questionable against the Cowboys with injuries. Running back Damashja Harris, who averages 8.4 yards per carry, also might not suit up Saturday. Same goes for Ikaika Ragsdale. The 215-pound junior has rolled up 58 yards on 22 carries and has one rushing touchdown.

This is the first meeting between UW and North Texas, which was a member of the Sun Belt Conference (2000-13) and Conference USA (2013-23) before joining the American Athletic Conference last season.

"This will be a big challenge for us to go on the road," Sawvel said. "We have to go play well. We're going to have to go play well for 60 minutes."

DATCU Stadium has never sold out since its opening in 2011. UNT is hoping to change that Saturday night. As of now, according to the Denton Record-Chronicle, nearly 22,000 tickets have been sold. The venue seats north of 31,000.

Peterbilt Motor Company, one of the largest employers in Denton, has purchased 2,000 tickets to distribute to employees, per the local newspaper. DATCU, a credit union that owns the naming rights to the stadium, is also hosting its annual event.

More than 23,000 fans were on hand for the Mean Green opener against Stephen F. Austin.

Meet the Mean Green:

* Head coach: Eric Morris (2nd year) 7-8 overall record, 3-5 in American Athletic play

* Offensive coordinator: Jordan Davis (2nd season); Defensive coordinator: Matt Caponi (2nd season)

* Record in 2023: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in American Athletic Conference

* Offense in 2024: Average 36 ppg, 469 ypg (140.3 rush, 328.7 pass)

* Defense in 2024: Allow 41.3 ppg, 472 ypg (149.7 rush, 322.3 pass)

* Key Returners/ Newcomers - Offense: Chandler Morris (QB - 73-112, 899 yds, 9 TD, 6 INT; 13 rush, 19 yds, 2 TD), Damashja Harris (RB - 23 rush, 193 yds, TD; 4 catch, 7 yds), Damon Ward Jr. (WR - 15 catch, 281 yds, 2 TD), DT Sheffield (WR - 13 catch, 148 yds, 3 TD), Wyatt Young (WR - 6 catch, 119 yds, TD), Jeremiah Aaron (WR - 5 catch, 97 yds, TD), Oscar Hammond (TE - 7 catch, 84 yds, TD)

* Key Returners - Defense: Jayden Hill (S - 25 tackles), Jaylen Smith (LB - 21 tackles), Evan Jackson (S - 20 tackles, 2 PBU), Jordan Brown (LB - 18 tackles), Ethan Wesloski (LB - 12 tackles), Brian Nelson II (CB - 10 tackles, INT, 2 PBU), Roderick Brown (DL - 6 tackles, 2 sacks)

* Injured/ questionable: Ikaika Ragsdale (RB - 22 rush, 58 yds, TD), Landon Peterson (Guard), Damashja Harris (RB - 23 rush, 193 yds, TD; 4 catch, 7 yds), Damon Ward Jr. (WR - 15 catch, 281 yds, 2 TD), Jeremiah Aaron (WR - 5 catch, 97 yds, TD), Tyler Mercer (Center)

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players