DFW Football Follow Up: UNT and SMU end season with a loss

by Todd E. Jones of College Football Top Ten

The 2008 football season was more than unkind to the University of North Texas Mean Green and the Southern Methodist University Mustangs as both teams combined for 22 losses on the year and only two wins. Both teams struggled defensively and with unpredictable circumstances, and both teams finished the season with losses on Saturday afternoon.

UNT

In Denton at Fouts Field, UNT’s attempt at a last minute touchdown to upset the Arkansas State Red Wolves ended when quarterback Giovanni Vizza was picked off with 48 seconds remaining in the game losing 33-28. Vizza was 25 of 37 for 202 yards and a touchdown and three interceptions. Mean Green running back Cam Montgomery had 121 yards rushing on 21 carries and two touchdowns. UNT wide receiver Casey Fitzgerald finished the game with 90 yards receiving on 11 receptions giving the Senior 1,020 yards receiving on the year. The loss left the Mean Green at 1-11 on the year and 0-7 in Sun Belt Conference play.

SMU

The home field advantage did not matter for the Mustangs either as they dropped a Conference USA game to the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 28-12 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. Freshman quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was 26 of 49 passing for 253 yards and a touchdown and two interceptions. SMU’s Justin Willis led all receivers with 11 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Thomas Morstead kicked two field goals in the second quarter to cut the deficit to one, but in the third quarter Southern Miss scored two touchdowns and added a third in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Like the Mean Green, the loss left SMU 1-11 on the season and 0-8 in Conference USA play.

Stats couresy of ESPN.com and MeanGreenSports.com