July 21, 2014

Every season has turning points and key plays that define success and failure. The 2013 North Texas football team faced long odds, but managed to make the plays that won nine games and let them lift the Heart of Dallas Bowl trophy on New Year's Day.

MeanGreenSports.com is recapping the five moments that we think defined the resilient nature of last year's Mean Green squad - and we want to hear from you. Let us know what moments/plays best defined the Mean Green.

No. 3 -Winning Back-To-Back Games Against Middle And Louisiana Tech

Much was made about the fact that North Texas hadn't won back-to-back games since 2004, and frankly, the Mean Green was tired of hearing about it.

Trailing Louisiana Tech, 10-0, and with the offense stagnant late in the first half, quarterback Derek Thompson scrambled left, threw back right and found Brelan Chancellor, who adjusted to the ball, maintained his balance, and raced to the end zone for a 61-yard score.

The thrilling play opened up the flood gates for a Mean Green squad that was beginning to harness the power that emanated from the chip on its shoulder. North Texas scored 28 unanswered points to snap a seven-game road losing streak and give NT a win streak, albeit a modest two-gamer, for the first time in 101 games.

"Now we can stop this stupid stuff about we can't win on the road," said North Texas head coach Dan McCarney, who improved to 8-1 when leading at the half.

Linebacker Zach Orr racked up 17 tackles for a Mean Green defense that was beginning to establish an identity of cranking up the heat as the game progressed. Despite going down 10-0, NT allowed just 37 total rushing yards in the game, and held the Bulldogs to 1-of-3 in the redzone after the first quarter.

 What moments defined the Mean Green's resilience in 2013? How about Marcus Trice silencing 92,746 Georgia fans.