North Texas Daily

Four games into the season, North Texas quarterback Mason Fine put up numbers good enough to gather national attention as the junior has recorded 1,328 passing yards with ten touchdowns. The Conference USA quarterback has also averaged 332 yards per game on 65 percent passing and only has one interception in the four games they’ve played.

Last season, Fine had 31 touchdowns with 15 interceptions and his numbers this year are on pace to surpass those.

In the week 1 win versus Southern Methodist, Fine received C-USA player of the week award and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose player of the week award, which is awarded to the best offensive player in that week. Furthermore, Fine is on the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, Manning and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch Lists.

“I just want to make sure I’m the most prepared and the hardest working,” Fine said. “The numbers will take care of themselves.”

Fine was named to the all-Conference USA preseason team after ranking third in the FBS in passing yards through the first three games of the season. Head coach Seth Littrell credits Fine’s efforts in the offseason for his impressive play thus far through the season.

“He put in a ton of work, he’s worked extremely hard in the offseason,” Littrell said. “In the weight room, nutrition, on and off the field.”

Fine believes there’s been nothing special leading to his successful start this season, he simply follows his coaches and sticks to his fundamentals.

“Just see what the coaches are doing, stick to the game plan and make routine plays and everything will play out,” Fine said.

Last year North Texas recorded a 9-5 record while going 7-1 in conference play. While it was their best record under a new head coach, Littrell and the team were not satisfied.

“We didn’t finish like we wanted to finish this past season,” Littrell said. “There was a chip within our entire team on everybody making sure they maximized their abilities to help this team be more successful and no one did a better job than him.”

Wide receivers Rico Bussey and Jalen Guyton have 303 and 282 yards respectively on the season. This receiving core has connected well with Fine so far and look to keep that chemistry flowing.

“We are one of the best receiving trios in the nation,” Guyton said.

Despite Fine’s impressive start, he won’t let the fame and attention go to his head.

“I’m sure he doesn’t really care about the honors right now, that’s just who he is,” Littrell said. “The man he is, the type of person he is, how he was raised he’s very competitive, he’s worked extremely hard.”

Fine’s work has paid off through the season so far.

Fine’s season is just starting for the Mean Green as they will kick off conference play this weekend versus Louisiana Tech. How they fare throughout their conference season will answer many questions from Fine’s individual award races with the top names in the nation, all the way to a bowl game for North Texas.