Football: Cajun-fried

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North Texas running back Patrick Cobbs put the Mean Green in position to end a two-game losing streak on Saturday night at Fouts Field. Unfortunately for the Mean Green, the opportunity was one the defense failed to convert in a 31-28 loss to the Ragin’ Caajuns in a Sun Belt Conference game. Cobbs rushed for 197 yards and scored three touchdowns in the second half to give the Mean Green a four-point lead late in the fourth quarter. UNT appeared as if it might capitalize when the Ragin’ Cajuns took possession of the ball at their own 12-yard line with 9:44 left. UNT needed a stop, but failed to come through while ULL methodically drove down the field in 15 plays. Ragin’ Cajuns running back Tyrell Fenroy capped the drive with a 1-yard run that sent UNT (2-6, 2-2) to its third straight loss in front of 14,153. ULL (4-5, 3-2) posted 63 rushing yards on the drive against the Mean Green, which prides itself on running the ball and stopping opponents from doing the same. “Our inability to stop the run was the difference in the game,” UNT head coach Darrell Dickey said. “It’s not fun to get beat at your own game. We scored and felt like we have some momentum and they just took the ball and marched right down the field.” ULL quarterback Jerry Babb rushed for 133 yards, while Fenroy added 102. The duo’s performance was just enough to offset a breakout night from Cobbs, who posted his top rushing total since a 216-yard outing against New Mexico State in the Mean Green’s 2003 season finale. Cobbs also became the Mean Green’s all-time leading scorer with 234 points. UNT was forced to depend on Cobbs when running back Jamario Thomas aggravated a hamstring injury that has hampered him throughout the season. The sophomore finished with 34 yards on six carries. Dickey said he was not sure of what Thomas status will be for the rest of the season. “It has been a while since I ran that much,” Cobbs said. “It was bitter-sweet. Our whole offense played well. It’s tough to have that happen and not come out on top.” Cobbs was especially effective in the second half after ULL jumped out to a 21-7 lead behind Fenroy and quarterback Jerry Babb, who combined to score three touchdowns in the first half. UNT rallied behind Cobbs, who scored on runs that covered 59, 8 and 9 yards. “Patrick played real hard and got us back into the game,” UNT quarterback Daniel Meager said. “He made the big plays for us.” Cobbs’ final touchdown run of the game put UNT up 28-24. The Mean Green was in position to close out the win when ULL took possession of the ball at its own 12-yard line with 9:44 left, but couldn’t turn back the Ragin’ Cajuns. “They came up with the big plays to keep their drive going,” UNT safety Aaron Weather said. “They ran a lot of option, which is something we have not seen before. If you don’t take care of your assignments it can hurt you. It hurt us tonight.” The rest of the story The Dallas Morning News BRETT VITO 940-566-6870 bvito@dentonrc.com

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