North Texas will be without starting quarterback Riley Dodge for its game at Alabama on Saturday and possibly for its Sun Belt Conference opener the following week.

DRC/Gary Payne

North Texas quarterback Riley Dodge watches from the sideline during the fourth quarter after sustaining an injury to his left shoulder against Ohio on Saturday at Fouts Field. The Bobcats won, 31-30 in double overtime.

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UNT head coach Todd Dodge said that an MRI taken Monday morning showed that Riley Dodge suffered a second-degree separation of his left (non-throwing) shoulder in a loss to Ohio on Saturday.

“We will see how it goes and see if it lingers,” Todd Dodge said. “It shouldn’t be anything longer than a couple of weeks. We will re-evaluate him at this time next week, but he will start rehabbing immediately.”

Backup Nathan Tune, who came in for Dodge against the Bobcats, will start for the first time in his career when UNT takes on Alabama. Chase Baine will back up Tune with Derek Thompson serving as the emergency third-string quarterback.

Dodge was injured in the third quarter against Ohio on Saturday when he was sacked by linebacker Brandon Weaver.

Dodge came back to complete three of his next four passes on UNT’s next possession, but missed on a deep ball to wide receiver Darius Carey. UNT put in Tune after the team’s trainers, coaches and Riley Dodge agreed that he wasn’t fit to continue.

UNT is hoping that Dodge will be able to recover quickly and return in time for the Mean Green’s Sun Belt Conference opener at home against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 26. If Dodge struggles to recover, UNT could be faced with a tough decision.

The Mean Green has an open week following its game against MTSU. If Dodge sits out UNT’s conference opener, he would have nearly a month to recover from the injury, more than enough time to not only rehabilitate, but also to regain the strength in his shoulder before the stretch run of the conference season.

The question is if UNT would be willing to sit its starting quarterback for one of its four Sun Belt home games.

The Mean Green has lost 11 straight conference games dating back to a win over Louisiana-Monroe in its sixth game of the 2007 season and is riding a six-game losing streak at Fouts Field.

“I have had the same injury before and it should be no more than two or three weeks,” Todd Dodge said.

UNT will rely on its running game and an experienced offensive line with Riley Dodge out. Starting running back Cam Montgomery has rushed for 237 yards and two touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season. Lance Dunbar has added 92 yards and a touchdown.

Todd Dodge said the Mean Green would use more two-back sets until Riley Dodge returns.

“We trust in Tune,” Montgomery said after the game. “He’s a great quarterback.”

Dodge has now suffered three injuries that have sidelined him dating back to the final game of his senior year at Southlake Carroll in 2007, when he had a third-degree separation of his right shoulder in a playoff loss to Abilene.

Dodge also suffered a concussion last season in the third game he played at slot receiver for UNT and received a medical redshirt from the NCAA.

UNT loses Gill, Jackson for week

Starting left tackle Victor Gill and defensive tackle Kelvin Jackson will both miss UNT’s game at Alabama with injuries.

Gill could also be out for UNT’s game against MTSU after he suffered a separated shoulder in UNT’s loss to Ohio. The former Argyle standout has been one of the Mean Green’s most consistent performers on a line that has been one of the team’s strengths so far this season.

Sophomore Matt Tomlinson is UNT’s top backup at both tackle positions.

Jackson, who has six tackles this season, dislocated his elbow and could be back in time for the Mean Green’s game against the Blue Raiders.

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