Two practices before North Texas

ABILENE - Since talked turned to North Texas at Fall Camp a week ago, one phrase keeps rising above the rest at Anthony Field, 'Weather The Storm.'

Rain isn't in the forecast Saturday night in Denton when Abilene Christian open its 2019 season vs. the Mean Green, but the Wildcats know if they don't stick to the script North Texas will pour the points on in a hurry at Apogee Stadium. Not only are the Mean Green favored to win the west division of Conference USA, they're also receiving four votes in the first AP Top-25 poll and have a senior quarterback in Mason Fine, who dots the Heisman Trophy Watch List.

"(North Texas head coach) Seth (Littrell) has put that program on the map, and it all starts with their quarterback who's not getting enough national attention in my estimation," said Abilene Christian third-year head coach Adam Dorrel. "He's going to get his throws and yardage, and as I keep telling my team, we have to 'weather the storm.' That means keep him in the pocket, don't give up big plays, mix up our coverages and get that pass rush going. This offense shows no weakness. Their two running backs are dynamic. The offensive line is solid. Lots of good pieces coming back."

Charged with containing Fine and company is a Wildcat defense, which returns 10 starters under the leadership of first-year D.C. Clint Brown, whose wealth of experience as a championship-caliber player (Nebraska) and coach (South Dakota State) has impressed Dorrel since his February arrival.

The defensive line has vastly improved over the last several months in terms of talent and numbers, giving the Wildcats a nine-man rotation that will 1.) help ease fatigue and 2.) make more stops in front of the linebacking trio of Jeremiah Chambers, Jack Gibbens and Qua'Shawn Washington - likely one of the best units in all the Football Championship Subdivision / Southland Conference.

"The improvements in the defensive line will lead to all our linebackers having great years," said Dorrel. "It's a luxury to have as much depth as we do on the d-line. They possess the strength and weight in addition to a diverse skill set. We have pass rushers. We have run stoppers. We have freshmen in the mix, and if we can keep everyone fresh then we'll see more plays made and greater consistency.

"Juice (Jeremiah Chambers) is the defensive leader and voice, and with him, (co-captain) Jack and Q all having good offseasons and camps, we've been able to cut down on their reps and get our younger guys up to speed."

The Wildcat secondary also comes into the season feeling battle tested, and right away it will go nose-to-nose with North Texas' pro prospect Rico Bussey Jr. A Bilentnikoff Watch List target, Bussey Jr. has 20 career touchdown receptions to go along with 1,791 receiving yards and eight 100-yard receiving games.

ACU's back end is composed of veterans Bolu Onifade, Brandon Richmond Jr., Alex Lofton, Koy Richardson and Adonis Davis among others, and this past offseason the Wildcats recruited graduate-school transfer Gabe Ortega (New Mexico), who Dorrel considers to be his team's 'Swiss Army knife.' 

"Gabe's a remarkable player who has two years remaining of eligibility," said Dorrel. "He can play free safety, strong safety and special teams, and Adonis his testing numbers have been unbelievable. He's a hyper talent, who can both run and jump."

When conversation turns to offense, Dorrel loves the fact that three homegrown student-athletes are starters on the offensive line: junior captain Kade Parmelly (Wylie), Slayde Anderson (Abilene) and recent scholarship recipient Jon Crisp (Abilene Christian HS). They're expected to be joined in the starting lineup in Denton with second-year man Reece Backman and Towson-graduate transfer Nico Russolillo. 

The o-line, much like the d-line, is blessed with depth, flexibility and versatility. 

"I've been very pleased with the growth of our o-line," said Dorrel. "I love these guys. They are unselfish, hard-nosed and tough-minded, and having three Abilene guys starting for us is a testament to how well these guys are being coached in town and throughout West Texas.

"I'm also excited about having Nico (center), who went to the (FCS) postseason with Towson. He's super athletic."

Offseason recruiting efforts not only helped ACU bolster its o-line, but its wide receiving corps as well. Senior Josh Fink and sophomore Kobe Clark are the team's most established ball catchers. They set the tempo and can play either in the slot position or outside, while some of the newer targets include 6-foot-4 Rice transfer Brendan Harmon, Justus Lee and Lionell McConnell. Lee played at Fullerton College last season, while McConnell previous played at Liberty.

"Kobe's had a phenomenal camp," said Dorrel. "He's running some great deep routes, and can really move with the ball in his hand.

Behind the o-line stands one of the most established FCS / Southland Conference signal callers in junior Luke Anthony, in addition to a most talented running back trio of Tracy James, Billy McCrary and Tyrese White. 

"Tracy, Billy and Tyrese - that's a dangerous three-headed snake," Clark said of ACU's backfield.

"It's also great to have Luke under center," he added. "He's a smart quarterback who's going to get the job done, and is playing behind an o-line that's really stepped up its game. Our receiving corps has definitely improved since last year. We have a bunch of selfless dudes who just want to win."

One of the team's primary offensive goals for the whole season is to continue to build on its quarterback play. Anthony stared every game and kept getting better as the season progressed as the Wildcats won four of their last five contests, but the coaches also are designing more plays for backup sophomore quarterback Sema'J Davis. 

"I'd be excited as a fan to come and watch Sema'J play," said Dorrel. "I'm a strong believer in his abilities as a playmaker, and his football IQ is off the charts. If we're putting him in at the slot, QB, wide receiver, wing back, whatever, he has to memorize all those terms. He's a very unselfish and patient student-athlete.

"Luke's consistency made him a better player in 2018," said Dorrel, "and now he's bought into becoming a better leader. I see him out at practice providing quality time and instruction to his teammates."

ACU practices again Wednesday afternoon for two hours and will likely have a shortened session Thursday. Friday the team departs for the Metroplex at 12:45 p.m. and will meet several times at the hotel prior to dinner. Saturday's itinerary includes team chapel and a 4 p.m. arrival at Apogee Stadium.

The game will be live streamed on ESPN+ and carried locally on 98.1 FM - The Ticket with Grant Boone and Jim Reese handling the play-by-play and color commentary.