it was a lot closer than i had expected but those two fourth quarter picks saved usShireNiner wrote: ↑09 Jan 2026, 15:54Turnovers won the game. Defense stepped up when it mattered but nearly let them back in it.
Porter's Playbook | The Coaching Career of DJ Porter
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djp73
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Porter's Playbook | The Coaching Career of DJ Porter
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djp73
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Porter's Playbook | The Coaching Career of DJ Porter




#11 USF 6-0 (2-0) at North Texas 4-2 (1-1)
Saturday October 14, 2028 | 12:30 PM | DATCU Stadium | Denton, Texas

USF BULLS
Head Coach: DJ Porter | 18-2 at USF | 42-6 Career
Schemes: Multiple | 3-3-5 Tite
2028 Season Schedule and Results
Sat, Aug 26 – vs Southern Miss – W 28-7
Sat, Sep 2 – vs UConn – W 37-23
Sat, Sep 9 – at Miami – W 24-13
Sat, Sep 16 – vs UCF – W 38-28
Sat, Sep 23 – vs Tulane – W 31-17
Sat, Oct 7 – at UTSA – W 38-25
Sat, Oct 14 – at North Texas – 12:30 PM
Sat, Oct 21 – vs Tulsa – 7:30 PM
Sat, Oct 28 – at Charlotte – 4:00 PM
Sat, Nov 4 – vs Rice – 2:00 PM
Sat, Nov 11 – vs Memphis – 3:00 PM
Sat, Nov 18 – at East Carolina – 6:00 PM
Season Stat Leaders
Passing | QB Locklan Hewlett | 73% 1,398 Yds 10 TD 4 Int
Rushing | RB Connor Suggs | 367 Yds 3 TD
Receiving | WR Jordyn Bridgewater | 580 Yds 6 TD
Tackles | MLB Eric Rance | 47 Tkl
Sacks | DT Kevin Wynn | 4.5 Sck
Interceptions | CB Cameron Keys & FS David Igbinoghene | 2 Int
Injury Report
SS Nick Jones | Torn Rotator Cuff | 16 Weeks

NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN
Head Coach: Dowell Loggains | 13–6 at North Texas | 20–23 Career
Schemes: Multiple Offense | Base 3–4
2028 Season Schedule and Results
Sat, Aug 26 – vs Louisiana Tech – W 34–26
Sat, Sep 2 – at Baylor – W 26–23
Sat, Sep 9 – vs San Diego State – L 42–33
Sat, Sep 16 – BYE
Sat, Sep 23 – vs FCS East – W 44–7
Sat, Sep 30 – vs Florida Atlantic – L 27–24
Thu, Oct 5 – at UAB – W 20–7
Sat, Oct 14 – vs #11 USF – 12:30 PM
Sat, Oct 21 – BYE
Sat, Oct 28 – at Memphis – 5:00 PM
Sat, Nov 4 – at Tulsa – 7:00 PM
Sat, Nov 11 – vs UTSA – 2:15 PM
Thu, Nov 16 – vs Charlotte – 8:00 PM
Sat, Nov 25 – at East Carolina – 2:00 PM
Season Stat Leaders
Passing | QB Ryan Byrne | 55% 1,637 Yds 10 TD 3 Int
Rushing | HB Kolin Wilson | 458 Yds 5 TD
Receiving | WR Jeremiah McClellan | 441 Yds 2 TD
Tackles | FS Ben Eifert | 44 Tkl
Sacks | MIKE Brenden Reese | 3.0 Sck
Interceptions | CB Isaiah Collins | 1 INT
Injury Report
C Antwan Wick | Broken Fibula | 10 Weeks
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djp73
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Porter's Playbook | The Coaching Career of DJ Porter

MEET ME AT THE QB
USF leans on defense, avenges 2027 loss to UNT


Saturday October 14, 2028 | 12:30 PM | DATCU Stadium | Denton, Texas
Denton, Texas - Just under a year after North Texas handed South Florida one of the most frustrating losses of its 2027 season, the Bulls returned to Denton with unfinished business and were immediately greeted by miserable conditions. A torrential downpour soaked DATCU Stadium for most of the afternoon, turning the rematch into a test of ball security, discipline, and resolve. USF didn’t play a clean offensive game, but when the weather and mistakes threatened to tilt the contest, the Bulls’ defense rose up and carried them to a gritty 21–14 road victory.
From the opening kick, the rain made everything harder. The field was slick, the ball heavy, and timing inconsistent. USF’s offense struggled to find rhythm, committing turnovers and leaving points on the field, including a missed field goal that loomed large in a one-score game. Drives stalled, passes skipped, and footing betrayed players on both sides. What could have become a repeat of last season’s frustration instead became a showcase of complementary football.
The Bulls finally broke through in the second quarter when quarterback Locklan Hewlett, under steady pressure and persistent rain, delivered a short touchdown pass to Gerald Camarda. Later in the quarter, Hewlett connected with Jordyn Bridgewater for a 28-yard score, a rare clean strike through the weather. A missed extra point kept the margin from growing, and North Texas capitalized just before halftime when Ryan Byrne hit Shandon King for a 43-yard touchdown on a bomb at the horn, trimming the lead to 13–7 and injecting life into the crowd.
That moment would be one of the last times Byrne looked comfortable.
As the rain continued, USF’s defense took complete control of the game. The Bulls’ front attacked relentlessly, blowing up protections and collapsing the pocket snap after snap. Byrne was hurried constantly, forced to throw off his back foot, and sacked five times. Linebacker Eric Rance got to Byrne twice, both times knifing through the A gap untouched. Rover Jathan Hatch was everywhere, recording two sacks, repeatedly knifing into the backfield, and delivering the pressure that led directly to a critical interception. Hatch’s impact went well beyond the stat sheet, as Byrne rarely had a clean look once Hatch began timing his blitzes.
Kevin Wynn added to the chaos, even as a pair of roughing-the-passer penalties, both questionable, extended North Texas drives. Rather than calming Byrne, those hits seemed to rattle him further. Each flag was followed by renewed pressure, tighter coverage, and more hesitation from the Mean Green quarterback. USF’s front consistently won against the wind, stonewalling the run game and leaving North Texas with virtually nowhere to turn.
While the offense continued to battle the elements, Connor Suggs provided stability on the ground, grinding out tough yards and keeping the Bulls on schedule. Early in the fourth quarter, Suggs powered in from a yard out to finish a hard-earned drive, and Camarda converted the two-point attempt to stretch the lead to 21–7. It wasn’t pretty, but it was decisive.
North Texas managed one final score midway through the fourth quarter, cutting the margin to seven, but any hopes of a comeback were short-lived. Under heavy pressure from Hatch once again, Byrne forced a throw that was intercepted, sealing the outcome and allowing USF to bleed the clock.
By the end of the afternoon, the contrast was stark. USF’s offense was far from perfect, undone at times by the weather, turnovers, and missed opportunities, but the defense never wavered. The Bulls dominated the line of scrimmage, limited North Texas to just 149 yards of total offense, and dictated every critical moment of the game.
Hewlett was picked off twice in the game, including once in the endzone, and completed just 60% of his passes in the game.
Afterward, head coach DJ Porter pointed to the way his team responded when things didn’t go smoothly. “That’s complimentary football,” Porter said. “The offense had a tough day with the conditions, but the defense picked us up. They played fast, they played physical, and they set the tone. When one side struggles, the other has to answer, and our defense absolutely answered.”
In the end, USF left Denton with more than just a win. They avenged one of the two losses from last season, proved they could survive adversity, and showed that even on a day when the offense misfired, this team has the backbone to lean on its defense and finish the job.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
Second Quarter
USF – Gerald Camarda 3-yard pass from Locklan Hewlett (Dom Bragg kick), 6:51
USF – Jordyn Bridgewater 28-yard pass from Locklan Hewlett (missed kick), 3:46
UNT – Shandon King 43-yard pass from Ryan Byrne (Gerald Clemens kick), 0:00
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
USF – Connor Suggs 1-yard run (Gerald Camarda 2-point conversion), 8:21
UNT – Paul Kumar 4-yard pass from Ryan Byrne (Gerald Clemens kick), 2:36
USF Stat Leaders
Passing
L. Hewlett – 14/23, 181 Yds, 2 TD, 2 INT, 60.9%, 7.8 YPA
Rushing
C. Suggs – 14 Car, 83 Yds, 5.9 Avg, 1 TD
G. Shembo – 10 Car, 50 Yds, 5.0 Avg
N. Daniel – 6 Car, 23 Yds, 3.8 Avg
S. Snead – 8 Car, 20 Yds, 2.5 Avg
Receiving
J. Bridgewater – 9 Rec, 134 Yds, 14.9 Avg, 1 TD, Long 29
J. Stoneburner – 2 Rec, 26 Yds, 13.0 Avg, Long 14
G. Camarda – 2 Rec, 14 Yds, 7.0 Avg, 1 TD, Long 11
S. Snead – 1 Rec, 7 Yds, 7.0 Avg
Defense
J. Hatch – 10 Tkl (6 Solo), 4 TFL, 2.0 Sack
J. Dallas – 10 Tkl (3 Solo), 1 TFL
E. Rance – 5 Tkl (3 Solo), 2 TFL, 2.0 Sack
T. Bennett – 5 Tkl (4 Solo)
K. Wynn – 4 Tkl, 4 TFL, 1.0 Sack
D. Igbinoghene – 4 Tkl, 2 TFL
C. Keys – 1 Tkl, 1 INT, 4 INT Yds
Special Teams
D. Bragg – 0/1 FG; 1/2 XP
D. McSurdy – 1 Punt, 34 Yds (34.0 Avg), Net 34
E. York – 1 KR, 24 Yds (24.0 Avg), Long 24; 4 PR, 45 Yds (11.2 Avg), Long 19
North Texas Stat Leaders
Passing
R. Byrne – 13/21, 148 Yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 61.9%, 7.0 YPA
Rushing
K. Wilson – 12 Car, 27 Yds, 2.2 Avg
R. Byrne – 7 Car, -26 Yds, -3.7 Avg
Receiving
S. King – 4 Rec, 72 Yds, 18.0 Avg, 1 TD, Long 43
J. McClellan – 3 Rec, 33 Yds, 11.0 Avg, Long 25
C. Bowling – 3 Rec, 29 Yds, 9.7 Avg, Long 21
P. Kumar – 1 Rec, 4 Yds, 4.0 Avg, 1 TD, Long 4
B. McCluster – 1 Rec, 7 Yds, 7.0 Avg, Long 7
K. Wilson – 1 Rec, 3 Yds, 3.0 Avg, Long 3
Defense
B. Eifert – 12 Tkl (2 Solo), 1 INT
M. Hurns – 8 Tkl (4 Solo)
M. Bohanon – 7 Tkl (4 Solo)
L. Sampson – 6 Tkl (4 Solo), 1 TFL
J. Manning – 6 Tkl (2 Solo)
I. Collins – 6 Tkl (3 Solo)
K. Allen – 5 Tkl (3 Solo), 1 TFL
J. Pierce – 4 Tkl (1 Solo), 1 TFL
E. Ahmad – 4 Tkl (1 Solo), 1 INT (10 return yards)
Special Teams
G. Clemens – 2/2 XP
M. Hyde – 5 Punts, 195 Yds (39.0 Avg), Net 26.4, 1 TB
S. King – 4 KR, 76 Yds (19.0 Avg), Long 23
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | USF | UNT |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 21 | 14 |
| First Downs | 21 | 10 |
| Total Offense | 357 | 149 |
| Total Plays | 61 | 40 |
| Yards Per Play | 5.9 | 3.7 |
| Rush | Yards | TD | 38 | 176 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Yards Per Rush | 4.6 | 0.1 |
| Comp | Att | TD | 14 | 23 | 2 | 14 | 21 | 2 |
| Yards Per Pass | 7.9 | 7.0 |
| Passing Yards | 181 | 148 |
| 3rd Down Conv. | 8 | 13 (61%) | 2 | 10 (20%) |
| 4th Down Conv. | 2 | 2 (100%) | 2 | 3 (66%) |
| 2 Pt Conv. | 1 | 1 (100%) | 0 | 0 (0%) |
| Red Zone TD | FG | % | 2 | 0 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Turnovers | 1 (-1) | 1 (+1) |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 1 |
| PR Yards | 45 | 0 |
| KR Yards | 24 | 76 |
| Total Yards | 426 | 225 |
| Punts (Avg) | 34.0 | 39.0 |
| Penalties | 4 | 45 | 0 | 0 |






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djp73
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Porter's Playbook | The Coaching Career of DJ Porter

USF POSTGAME REPORT
USF 21 – North Texas 14

Offense
–In a torrential downpour that lingered for most of the afternoon, USF’s offense struggled to find consistent rhythm but did just enough to secure a hard-earned 21–14 road win over North Texas at DATCU Stadium.
–Quarterback Locklan Hewlett finished 14-of-23 for 181 yards and two touchdowns, but the conditions led to timing issues, two interceptions, and several stalled drives that kept the game tighter than expected.
–USF left points on the field, including a missed field goal and a failed extra point, and committed a turnover that briefly shifted momentum late in the second quarter.
–Connor Suggs provided stability in the run game, carrying the ball 14 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. His physical, downhill style was critical in keeping the offense on schedule despite slick footing and steady wind.
–Jordyn Bridgewater remained Hewlett’s most reliable target, finishing with nine receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown, repeatedly bailing the offense out on third down.
–“It wasn’t pretty, but we stayed patient,” Head Coach DJ Porter said. “In those conditions, you just have to keep stacking plays and trust the process.”
Defense
–USF’s defense delivered its most dominant performance of the season, completely controlling the line of scrimmage and overwhelming North Texas quarterback Ryan Byrne from start to finish.
–The Bulls sacked Byrne five times and consistently collapsed the pocket, forcing hurried throws, negative plays, and an inability for North Texas to establish any offensive rhythm.
–Rover Jathan Hatch was the centerpiece of the effort, recording two sacks and repeatedly pressuring Byrne, including a critical hurry that directly led to an interception.
–USF’s front was especially impressive playing into the wind, stonewalling the run game and holding North Texas to just one rushing yard on 19 attempts.
–Kevin Wynn added constant pressure in the middle and was flagged twice for roughing the passer on calls that were questionable, but each hit appeared to further rattle Byrne rather than settle him.
–The defense forced an interception late to seal the game and limited North Texas to just 149 total yards and 2-of-10 on third down.
–“That’s complimentary football,” Porter said. “When the offense has a tough day, the defense has to pick you up and that’s exactly what they did.”
Special Teams
–Special teams were impacted heavily by the weather, with USF missing a field goal and an extra point that loomed large throughout the second half.
–Despite the miscues, USF’s return game provided a spark, led by Ethan York’s punt returns that helped flip field position in a low-scoring contest.
–Punter Dorian McSurdy was called upon only once, delivering a 34-yard punt that pinned North Texas deep in the fourth quarter.
Quotables
“The defense carried us today. Straight up. That’s what good teams do for each other,” – DJ Porter
“We knew we had to keep coming. Pressure breaks quarterbacks,” – Jathan Hatch
“The rain didn’t matter. It was about effort and finishing,” – Eric Rance
“Wins like this show who you really are,” – Connor Suggs
News
–USF improved to 7–0 on the season and remained unbeaten in American Conference play.
–The victory avenged one of just two losses suffered by USF during the 2027 season.
–USF held North Texas to its lowest offensive output of the year.
Injury Notes
–USF shuffled the offensive line due to injuries to TJ Lawrence and Teriyan Morman during the game but both are expected to be available for next week.
Next Up
–USF returns home next week to host Tulsa (2-4|1-2)as conference play continues, looking to build on a defensive performance that may serve as the standard moving forward.
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djp73
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP
AMERICAN CONFERENCE REPORT
American Conference Standings
| Team | W-L | PCT | CONF | PF | PA | DIFF | MOV | HOME | AWAY | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #12 USF | 7-0 | 1.000 | 3-0 | 217 | 127 | +90 | +12.9 | 4-0 | 3-0 | W7 |
| Rice | 6-1 | .857 | 3-0 | 181 | 128 | +53 | +7.6 | 4-0 | 2-1 | W6 |
| Florida Atlantic | 4-2 | .667 | 2-1 | 187 | 128 | +59 | +9.8 | 3-0 | 1-2 | L1 |
| UAB | 3-3 | .500 | 2-2 | 159 | 162 | -3 | -0.5 | 1-2 | 2-1 | W1 |
| UTSA | 4-3 | .571 | 2-2 | 221 | 182 | +39 | +5.6 | 1-2 | 3-1 | W1 |
| Memphis | 3-4 | .429 | 2-2 | 154 | 236 | -82 | -11.7 | 3-1 | 0-3 | W2 |
| North Texas | 4-3 | .571 | 1-2 | 195 | 153 | +42 | +6.0 | 2-3 | 2-0 | L1 |
| Tulane | 3-3 | .500 | 1-2 | 170 | 156 | +14 | +2.3 | 3-1 | 0-2 | L1 |
| Tulsa | 2-4 | .333 | 1-2 | 159 | 159 | 0 | +0.0 | 2-2 | 0-2 | L1 |
| Temple | 3-4 | .429 | 1-2 | 187 | 213 | -26 | -3.7 | 1-2 | 2-2 | L1 |
| East Carolina | 2-5 | .286 | 1-2 | 191 | 232 | -41 | -5.8 | 1-2 | 1-3 | L2 |
| Charlotte | 3-3 | .500 | 1-3 | 178 | 141 | +37 | +6.2 | 2-1 | 1-2 | L1 |
American Conference Week 7 Scores
Rice 34, East Carolina 20
#12 USF 21, North Texas 14
UTSA 36, Tulsa 33
UAB 42, Tulane 40
Memphis 23, Charlotte 20
American Conference Players of the Week (Week 7)
Offensive: Caesar Barbosa – QB – UTSA | W 36–33 at Tulsa | 26–39, 411 PASS YDS, 3 PASS TD, 1 RUSH TD
Defensive: Nafari Roche – CB – UTSA | W 36–33 at Tulsa | 8 TKL, 1 INT, 3 PBU
American Conference Week 8 Schedule
Rice at Florida Atlantic – Sat, Oct 21 – 1:00 PM
Tulane at Charlotte – Sat, Oct 21 – 2:00 PM
UTSA at UAB – Sat, Oct 21 – 3:15 PM
Memphis at Western Kentucky – Sat, Oct 21 – 6:00 PM
Tulsa at #12 USF – Sat, Oct 21 – 7:30 PM
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djp73
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Porter's Playbook | The Coaching Career of DJ Porter

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Media Top 25 Rankings
| RANK | LW | NAME / VOTES | W-L | PTS | LAST WEEK | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | LSU (45) | 6-0 | 1,605 | W 52–14 vs Army | at 15 Texas A&M |
| 2 | 2 | Alabama (20) | 6-0 | 1,544 | W 66–31 at Vanderbilt | Missouri |
| 3 | 4 | Georgia | 6-0 | 1,427 | W 48–6 at Kentucky | at Ole Miss |
| 4 | 5 | USC | 6-0 | 1,356 | W 23–17 at Northwestern | 21 Nebraska |
| 5 | 3 | Clemson | 6-0 | 1,314 | — | 8 Pittsburgh |
| 6 | 6 | Oregon | 6-0 | 1,300 | W 38–33 at Wisconsin | at Minnesota |
| 7 | 7 | Michigan | 6-1 | 1,221 | W 45–24 vs 21 Nebraska | at 18 Washington |
| 8 | 8 | Pittsburgh | 6-1 | 1,156 | W 35–13 at California | at 5 Clemson |
| 9 | 10 | North Carolina | 7-0 | 1,101 | W 49–24 vs Wake Forest | — |
| 10 | 9 | Miami | 5-2 | 1,020 | W 30–24 at Boston College | — |
| 11 | 14 | Texas | 5-1 | 867 | W 31–24 vs 23 Oklahoma | Florida |
| 12 | 11 | USF | 7-0 | 860 | W 21–14 at North Texas | Tulsa |
| 13 | 12 | Tennessee | 5-1 | 837 | — | at Arkansas |
| 14 | 13 | Notre Dame | 7-1 | 824 | W 35–7 vs Stanford | Boston College |
| 15 | 17 | Texas A&M | 6-0 | 771 | W 33–30 at Florida | LSU |
| 16 | 18 | Louisiana | 6-0 | 607 | — | at Troy |
| 17 | 21 | Penn State | 4-2 | 576 | W 45–28 vs 20 Ohio State | at Rutgers |
| 18 | 25 | Washington | 5-2 | 369 | W 45–35 at Indiana | 7 Michigan |
| 19 | NR | Utah | 4-2 | 345 | W 35–16 vs 25 BYU | 24 Iowa State |
| 20 | 15 | Ohio State | 5-2 | 284 | L 45–28 at 17 Penn State | at Maryland |
| 21 | 16 | Nebraska | 5-2 | 267 | L 45–24 at 7 Michigan | at USC |
| 22 | NR | Florida State | 3-3 | 233 | — | at Virginia Tech |
| 23 | 22 | Oklahoma | 5-3 | 181 | L 31–24 vs 11 Texas | South Carolina |
| 24 | NR | Iowa State | 5-2 | 136 | W 34–26 vs Kansas State | at 19 Utah |
| 25 | 20 | BYU | 4-2 | 135 | L 35–16 at 19 Utah | Oklahoma State |
Dropped from rankings: Boise State (19), NC State (23), Mississippi State (24)
National Players of the Week (Week 7)
Defensive: Zae Jennings – SS – Akron | W 40–7 at Kent State | 8 TKL, 2 INT, 2 PBU
Offensive: Daylon Singleton – WR – Alabama | W 66–31 at Vanderbilt | 15 REC, 183 REC YDS, 12.2 AVG, 3 REC TD
2028 Heisman Watch
George Woodhead – WR – Colorado | Last Game at Kansas (W 30–22) | 9 REC, 144 REC YDS, 16.0 AVG, 1 REC TD
DeJuan Williams – HB – LSU | Last Game vs Army (W 52–14) | 26 CAR, 105 RUSH YDS, 4.0 AVG, 3 RUSH TD; 2 REC, 19 REC YDS
Ethan Houck – QB – Notre Dame | Last Game vs Stanford (W 35–7) | 12–19, 167 PASS YDS, 8.8 YPA, 3 PASS TD; 9 CAR, 24 RUSH YDS, 1 RUSH TD
Malik Clark – WR – Tennessee | No Game Last Week
Gio Lopez – QB – North Carolina | Last Game vs Wake Forest (W 49–24) | 18–28, 275 PASS YDS, 9.8 YPA, 3 PASS TD; 2 INT; 5 CAR, 19 RUSH YDS
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redsox907
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Porter's Playbook | The Coaching Career of DJ Porter
nice win in the rain 
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djp73
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The JZA
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Porter's Playbook | The Coaching Career of DJ Porter
Preciate you for making up for that missed XP, nothing to Bragg about... 
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James
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Porter's Playbook | The Coaching Career of DJ Porter
That game against UTSA was a lot closer than we thought. Nice job taking them down and North Texas as well. The Mean Green are much tougher these days.
