QB DaMarcus Smith both electric and inconsistent in Mean Green debut
The North Texas football team enters Apogee Stadium to face Western Kentucky on Oct. 15. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer
Reece Waddell | Senior Staff Writer
Junior quarterback DaMarcus Smith got his first start in a Mean Green uniform on Thursday night, providing the North Texas offense with a much needed spark at the quarterback position.
Smith finished the night with 350 all-purpose yards, 122 on the ground and 228 through the air. He completed 17 of his 35 passes and threw four touchdown passes, two of which were hauled in by senior wide receiver Carlos Harris.
One of Smith’s biggest assets was his ability to extend plays, as the junior eluded numerous defenders in the backfield and scrambled to make something out of nothing.
Harris said the biggest difference between playing with Smith and senior Andrew McNulty is Smith’s ability to avoid the heat when a play breaks down.
“He makes a lot of plays with his legs,” Harris said. “He has a good tight spiral and is able to hit open receivers downfield when he needs to.”
North Texas junior quarterback DaMarcus Smith (10) avoids a tackle from a Western Kentucky defender. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer
North Texas scored the most points in a game so far this year, 28, and all came courtesy of the new man under center. Smith also became the first Mean Green quarterback since Riley Dodge back in 2009 to throw four touchdowns in a game.
But despite this feat and his modest numbers, the quarterback said he was not content with his performance.
“I’m not satisfied and I’m my biggest critic,” Smith said. “I have to continue to work and get better. There were a lot of throws out there that I wish I could get back. I just have to be more consistent. I’ve got to help this team win.”
Thursday’s 55-28 loss against the Western Kentucky University served as Mike Canales’ second debut as interim head coach of the Mean Green, his first since taking over in 2010.
Canales said the effort from the new quarterback excited him.
“He showed us a lot of spark out there and a lot of poise,” Canales said. “Those are things we can build on.”
Along with his four touchdown performance throwing the ball, Smith’s 122 rushing yards was the most by a quarterback since Scott Davis rushed for 203 yards in 1990 against SMU.
Even though Smith was electric at times, he was also somewhat careless with the football, fumbling twice and throwing an interception. However, the lone interception bounced off a receiver’s hand.
His head coach said people must learn to take the good with the bad, especially since he is a big play quarterback.
“It’s high risk, high reward. We all know that,” Canales said. “Because he thinks he can make every big play every play, we’ll live with the growing pains with him.”
After the game, Smith said he was not concerned with his personal stat line, instead he’s concerned with helping North Texas win games.
Canales echoed those thoughts and is confident they can get in the win column soon.
“We’re going to win. It may not happen next week or the week after that, but the Mean Green is going to win.”
Featured Image: North Texas junior quarterback DaMarcus Smith (10) avoids a tackle from a Western Kentucky defender. Dylan Nadwodny | Staff Photographer
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