This isn’t a preview of the game, but sort of a preview of the week. We have an unprecedented scenario where NT is hosting a ranked team at home. Now, this is the fourth time this has happened (2-2 lifetime)1 but this is the first time where NT has a good team.
A couple of seasons ago, NT upset UTSA at home. The circumstances of that day were such that NT was fighting for bowl eligibility and UTSA had just beat UAB in a thriller in San Antonio that was a de-facto play-in game for the CUSA Title game.
Last season a ranked Army came to town and stifled a powerful NT offense, controlled the clock, and won 14-3.
Now? Well North Texas is battling for bowl-eligibility, but at the first possible opportunity. They will look to join Memphis, who reached 6-0 after destroying Tulsa by 38 points on Saturday. This isn’t the struggle-fest that was 2021. NT is also not hosting an untested squad like they did vs Army. South Florida has bested some very talented squads in Florida (just beat preseason number one Texas) and Boise State (last year’s playoff participant). They have lost, but that was to current #2 Miami — a team that some folks are saying should be number one in the nation.
The Bulls will not be overawed by the environment, having played in the Swamp, and in Miami. They regularly get over 50K people, so the hoped-for 30K is not super impressive.
You can make the argument that for North Texas, the previous five games were all preamble to this moment. The unfortunate thing about winning is that you set yourself up for a higher fall. You can either be scared of falling, or thrilled to see how high you can climb. South Florida is a great matchup and the oddsmakers are saying it is a pick’em. The last time we saw that? Well, NT went to OT vs Army in New York.
That sets up our week, folks. MGN will have a midweek preview podcast, and has plans to appear on others. You can and should feel excitement about this week. It is a big deal.
The University is Making A Big Push
We know the classes were cancelled for the afternoon on Friday. Here are the other things going on:
TICKETING
BOGO Ticket Offer
In conjunction with the Bye week, the UNT ticket office is offering a buy one ticket, get one free ticket deal in the sections 110-114.
Bring a Group and Save
Fans who bring a group of 10 or more people to purchase a ticket for the USF game will
receive up to two club seat tickets for a future contest.
“Buy” Week Bundle
Fans can purchase a full priced ticket to the USF contest and receive between a 30-50 percent discount on a ticket to the UTSA homecoming game Oct. 18 depending on location and availability.
Discounted tickets to groups
Special rates are available for:
Youth cheer teams
Teams also will have the opportunity to create and display banners at DATCU Stadium
DFW Area Schools and Independent School Districts
Apartment complexes and local HOA’s
Northwest Texas Youth Football Association
ROTC
Faculty and Staff Discount
UNT faculty and staff members will have the ability to receive two free tickets and the option to purchase additional tickets. Those tickets can be requested here.
Season Ticket Appreciation
Season ticket holders in the lower bowl will receive tickets matched up to their season ticket amount for free. For example, if you have four season tickets for 2025, you will have the opportunity to claim four additional tickets for hopeful future season ticket holders the USF contest at no charge. In addition, club seat holders also receive up to two premium area tickets for free.
Student Tickets
Just as is the case for every UNT football game, UNT students receive one free ticket to the USF game and the option to buy up to four additional tickets at a discounted rate. Head to UNTTIX.com to claim your ticket.
STUDENT INITIATIVES
Maniac Madness
Free items (Towels, shirts, big chains, beads, etc.) will be tossed after big plays in student section. In addition, students can experience these perks at the USF game:
T-Shirt Giveaway – The first 1,000 students to enter the game will receive a free “Desert Eagle” black t-shirt
$1,000 scholarship – A randomly selected student who is scanned into the game will receive a $1,000 scholarship courtesy of UNT Student Affairs
Food trucks – Students will have the opportunity to receive free food at various food trucks in the stadium (while supplies last)
BIG prizes – Students will have the opportunity to win even bigger prizes outside of Maniac Madness like a Nintendo Switch, a scooter, an iPad and much more
Student Competitions
Various UNT student organizations like SGA, Housing and UNT Fraternity and Sorority Life will be organizing competitions throughout campus for the contest against USF.
MORE TO KNOW
Chamber of Commerce
UNT athletics has worked closely with the Denton Chamber of Commerce to create a large ticket package that will be made available to local Denton businesses for the contest against USF.
Early Arrival Raffles
Similarly to the first three home games of the season, fans will be incentivized for arriving early to the contest. Any fans who arrive two or more hours prior to kickoff (4:30 PM CT) will be entered into a raffle to win various prizes like an autographed football, upgraded parking for future games, Barnes & Noble gift cards and more.
Halftime Fireworks
UNT fans will have the opportunity to experience a firework show at halftime of the USF game.
Game Themes
For the contest against the Bulls, UNT will be embracing the “Friday Night Lights” with nods to Texas High School football littered throughout the contest.
In addition, Friday night’s game will be a “Darkness in the Desert” as fans are encouraged to wear black to the game.
Mean Green Live
Mean Green Live opens at 1:30 PM with our DJ on the main stage and Cameron Hobbs taking the stage at 3:30 PM
Mean Green March
The Mean Green March to welcome the team into DATCU Stadium through the tailgates on The Hill will begin approximately two hours prior to kickoff.
Saw friend-of-the-show Zac Babb throw out some stats that NT is 0-49 on the road vs top-25 teams.