Honestly, if you looked at the UNT football schedule 2024 back in August, you probably thought you knew exactly how this was going to go. A second year for Eric Morris. A high-flying offense. Maybe a dark horse run in the American Athletic Conference. But as any Mean Green fan will tell you, the reality was a wild, exhausting roller coaster that didn't stop until a chilly afternoon in Dallas at the First Responder Bowl.
It was a year of "what-ifs."
The Mean Green finished the 2024 campaign with a 6-7 overall record. On paper, that looks like a step back or a stagnant program, but the numbers hide the actual chaos of the season. They went 3-5 in the AAC, tying for ninth place, which sounds mediocre until you realize they were basically a couple of defensive stops away from an eight or nine-win season.
The Highs and Very Low Lows of the 2024 Journey
The season kicked off with a bang. Going into Mobile and dropping 52 points on South Alabama felt like a statement. It wasn't just a win; it was a track meet. Chandler Morris looked like the real deal immediately, proving that the Mean Green were going to be one of the most explosive—and frankly, stressful—teams to watch in the country.
Then came the reality check at Lubbock.
Losing 66-21 to Texas Tech was a gut punch. It exposed the defensive lapses that would eventually become the recurring theme of the 2024 season. You can't give up 60+ points and expect to keep the fan base from biting their nails every Saturday.
A Quick Look at the Key Results
- at South Alabama: W, 52-38 (The "Hype" Game)
- vs. Stephen F. Austin: W, 35-20
- at Texas Tech: L, 21-66 (The "Reality" Game)
- vs. Wyoming: W, 44-17
- vs. Tulsa: W, 52-20
- at Florida Atlantic: W, 41-37 (The Peak)
By the time North Texas hit the mid-point of the UNT football schedule 2024, they were sitting pretty at 5-1. People were starting to whisper about conference championship game scenarios. Then, the wheels didn't exactly fall off, but they certainly started wobbling.
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Why the Defense Defined the Year
If you want to understand why a team with a top-10 national offense finished under .500, you have to look at the points allowed column. It's kinda heartbreaking. They lost a 52-44 shootout to Memphis. They hung 37 on Tulane—a very good Tulane team—and still lost.
The most frustrating game for most fans? Probably the 14-3 loss to Army.
Wait. Read that again. 14-3.
In a season where UNT was routinely putting up 40 points, they managed a single field goal against the Black Knights at DATCU Stadium. It was a bizarre, slow-motion car crash of a game that proved if you could take away the big play, the Mean Green didn't have a Plan B that day.
The November Slide
The end of the year was tough. Losses to UTSA (48-27) and East Carolina (40-28) took the wind out of the sails. While the win over Temple in the regular-season finale (24-17) secured bowl eligibility, the momentum was gone. By the time they met Texas State in the First Responder Bowl, the team felt gapped out. They fought, but a 6-7 finish became the final word on the 2024 story.
What This Means for 2025 and Beyond
So, was the 2024 season a failure?
It depends on who you ask. If you like boring, 17-14 defensive battles, you hated this team. But if you wanted to see a quarterback distribute the ball to guys like DT Sheffield and Blair Conwright while lighting up the scoreboard, it was peak entertainment.
The "Eric Morris Era" is clearly built on speed and volume. The 2024 schedule proved that the Mean Green can score on anyone—literally anyone. The next step isn't about finding more points; it's about finding a way to stop a nosebleed on the defensive side of the ball.
Actionable Next Steps for Mean Green Fans:
- Review the Transfer Portal: Keep a close eye on defensive line and secondary additions. The 2024 stats prove the current roster needs a massive talent infusion on defense to compete for an AAC title.
- Check 2025 Non-Conference Matchups: Look at the early season games to see if the defensive scheme has actually evolved or if we're in for another year of 52-48 heartbreakers.
- Support DATCU Stadium Attendance: Despite the 6-7 record, the home atmosphere was significantly better in 2024. Keeping that energy up is vital for recruiting the DFW area.