North Texas head coach Todd Dodge can’t comment on the specifics of the last few days during the Mean Green’s first big visit weekend of recruiting season.

What he could talk about was the way the session went in general, and he was pretty happy with what transpired when the Mean Green hosted a handful of junior college players.

UNT landed a pair of recruits in Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College linebacker Antonio Charles and Southwest Mississippi Community College wide receiver Jamaal Jackson. Both orally committed to play for UNT on Sunday.

“We were really pleased,” Dodge said. “It was different to have a full weekend in the middle of the season. We are pleased with the quality and number of players we had come in during the off week. We have to take every opportunity to get those players on campus in the three-week window we have before signing day.”

Junior college players who transfer at the semester break can sign national letters of intent beginning on Dec. 17.

UNT appears to be on the verge of picking up a third player from the group that visited over the weekend.

Chris Smith, a cornerback from Highland (Kan.) Community College, said Sunday he was all but certain he would commit to UNT, but wanted to talk to his parents and coaches first.

Smith was still leaning toward UNT on Monday, but left the door open for another program to enter the picture after changing the list of schools he is still considering. He cancelled a visit to Central Michigan that he was supposed to take this weekend and will visit UAB instead.

Both UAB and Northern Illinois have offered Smith a scholarship.

“I am going to wait a week and see if someone else calls,” Smith said. “I am pretty sure I am going to commit to North Texas. Southern Miss and UAB are also talking to me. I should find out this week. I want to see what my options are.”

UNT won’t seek redshirt for Miller

Senior defensive tackle Joseph Miller will return from a knee injury this week in UNT’s game at Middle Tennessee.

Miller has played in just four games this season, which would open up the possibility of UNT seeking a medical redshirt for the senior if he sat out the rest of the season. At four games, Miller is under the NCAA limit for a player seeking a medical redshirt.

The former Pflugerville standout was one of the Mean Green’s most productive linemen last season when he tied for sixth among UNT players with 48 tackles. He also finished with 3.5 sacks, the top total for a returning player this season.

Miller started the first four games this season and posted four tackles.

The Mean Green will lose senior starter Isaac Thomas in addition to Miller at the end of the season.

UNT has moved junior defensive end Eddrick Gilmore to tackle to fill the void left by Miller’s injury.

The Mean Green’s backup tackles, Troy Franklin and Jordan Scoggins, are both freshmen and have combined for 10 tackles on the season.

UNT is also pursing several junior college defensive tackles for next season.

UNT takes advantage of off week in schedule

UNT had a week to recover after being blown out by Florida Atlantic 46-13 and falling to 1-9 on the season.

The Mean Green took advantage of that time by trying to work through some of the problems that have plagued it throughout the year.

“The off week came at a good time for us because we are pretty banged up,” Dodge said. “We had the chance to gather back up and get healthy for our last two games.”

MTSU had an off week before its game against Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 8 and took advantage with a 24-21 win.

“There is no doubt an extra week factors into a game,” MTSU coach Rick Stockstill said. “Open dates late in the season are critical. You go through the grind of a 12-game season on top of the preseason and now school is winding down for everyone. The mental part of getting away from football for a couple of days is good for a team.”

Troy, ULL prepare  for huge game

Troy and Louisiana-Lafayette will play the biggest game in the Sun Belt Conference season this weekend when the Ragin’ Cajuns travel to Troy for a game that will likely decide the league title.

Both teams are 4-1 in conference play and are coming off tough losses. ULL lost to Florida Atlantic 40-29 and dropped into a tie for the league lead with Troy, which blew a 31-3 lead in the third quarter in a 40-31 nonconference loss to LSU.

“We are turning our focus to Lafayette,” Troy coach Larry Blakeney said. “We have to concentrate on them. It was a night for the ages when it comes to the first three and a half quarters. We have to put it behind us immediately. … You have to find a way to get off your back and get ready to go again with another good team coming in for a game with championship implications.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .