After Saturday night’s heartbreaker putting this Starting 11 was not a lot of fun. Went into it thinking it’d be a struggle finding 11 worthy players, but the sun came up today and I think the 11 listed are (mostly) worthy. The one constant week to week are the guys we have in our top 2. Scare anyone else that they are both seniors? Here are our Starting 11 most impactful players from the UNT game.

1. Marcus Davenport: Just an absolutely monster game. 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, etc. He changed the whole trajectory of the game once the 2nd quarter started. Mason Fine is a great QB, and he would have orchestrated a blow out if not for the fact that Marcus Davenport is probably the best defensive player in the conference.

2. Dalton Sturm: 215 yards passing, 2 tds and no turnovers. I want to give him the rushing touchdown. He earned after taking that helmet to the head, but I guess he fumbled before getting in. Dalton Sturm is a warrior, and the staff not letting him air it out more in the 2nd half allowed UNT to stay in the game.

3. Tyrell Clay: The former walk on running back had over 100 total yards from scrimmage with a big 41 yard td catch after UNT had built a 13-0 lead in the 1st quarter. The former walk on was a big part of keeping us in the game as he found success running the ball after Jalen was stuffed for most of the 1st quarter.

4. Josiah Tauaefa: Josiah quietly put together what was probably his best game. Pitched in 8 tackles (1 for loss), and was a big part of keeping the conference’s best running back under 100 yards. Staff continually blitzing him in the 2nd half took him out of some plays and kept his stats down.

5. Yannis Routsas: Yes, we have a punter in the top 5. After a rough week versus S. Miss, Yannis had a spectacular game on Saturday. 45 yards punting average, 3 inside the 20, and the big one in 4th quarter to pin UNT at the 2. Way game ended hides how big that punt was at the moment.

6. Brett Winnegan: Yes, another special teams guy on the list. UNT had just scored a td to put them up 13 - 0, and UTSA was staring a blow out straight in the face. Winnegan’s 51 yard return changed momentum just enough for us to get back in the game. He was 1/4th a cleat away from finally taking one to the house. It was a big play when UTSA really needed one.

7. Jalen Rhodes: Rhodes had a rough game running the ball. 3.7 yards a rush just won’t cut it. That being said, he did have 2 catches for 45 yards and what could have been the game winning touchdown.

8. Jarrod Carter-McLin: A new name to the 11, but someone I feel could be a fixture later in his career. The former TE has transitioned smoothly into a pretty solid Defensive Tackle. Had 1.5 TFLs and a sack on Saturday. Was a solid block eater in the middle quarters as UTSA had their most success stopping the run. Someone we should see more of as the season progresses

9. Nate Gaines: The secondary was not good on Saturday, but Gaines was the best of the bunch. Contributed 5 tackles and his 2nd INT of the season.

10. Jared Sackett: Yes he missed his first kick of the season, but a 47 yarder should never be considered a gimmee. Hit his other 2 on the day, and the true freshman keeps showing that why he’s probably the team's newcomer of the year so far this season.

11. Stefan Beard: A lineman scores a TD and they get on the list. Hustle play as the big fella followed the Sturm run and recovered the fumble in the endzone.