There was no worse feeling for Kelvin Jackson than sitting on the sideline for nearly a week of North Texas’ fall practice over the last four days.

Kelvin Jackson

Not even the pain in his feet was more troublesome, which is saying something for a defensive lineman who weighs 320 pounds.

UNT brought in Jackson and fellow junior college transfer Shavod Atkinson in the hope that the pair of 300 pounders would help bolster the interior of its defensive line this season. With Jackson back, UNT is starting to see that its plan might be working out.

The Mean Green has played well at the goal line the last few days, which is a dramatic change from last season.

“Our big defensive tackles are improving us as far as people not being able to just gut us,” UNT head coach Todd Dodge said. “We have two 300 pound tackles, a 300-pound end [Tevinn Cantly] and some depth. It was the biggest need we had.”

Atkinson and Jackson have risen to the top of the depth chart. That’s no big surprise, but it’s a situation is particularly gratifying for Jackson, who stewed on the sideline for the last week.

“It’s hard to explain how happy I am to be back,” Jackson said. “You sit on the sideline and see things you can help with. It hurts not to be able to help. I feel good and am playing good.”

UNT was never really concerned with Jackson’s status, even though foot problems can spell trouble for a lineman who runs the risk of having his feet trampled every day.

Jackson credited his newfound comfort in his cleats to inserts provided by UNT’s trainers.

While Jackson has missed time, he has quickly proven himself as one of the Mean Green’s top newcomers.

“Kelvin is a tough guy, a big person, a very smart football player, strong and a leader on this team,” Dodge said. “He was here all summer for strength and conditioning, which has helped him.”

Now that Jackson has his feet back under him, he could continue to develop into a force for UNT.

“Sometimes you have problems with your feet when you are a big guy, but I got some inserts that have helped,” Jackson said. “I feel a lot better.”

UNT could get Bush back in time for SBC play

Senior cornerback Antoine Bush could be back in time for UNT’s game against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 26, Dodge said Wednesday.

Bush injured his left knee on Aug. 11 and had it scoped Tuesday. Dodge said Bush did not tear his anterior cruciate ligament as originally feared. He started nine games last season and is UNT’s most experienced player with 31 career starts.

“Everything went well,” Dodge said. “We really think he will be back for conference. He could be back for the Middle game or we could buy him another week since we have a bye the next week.”

Dodge not happy with UNT’s offense

UNT’s offense struggled in its afternoon workouts.

Linebacker Craig Robertson and cornerbacks Royce Hill and Adryan Adams all intercepted passes from Riley Dodge and returned them for touchdowns. Those plays showed the continued improvement by the Mean Green’s defense, which has rebounded after a rough first scrimmage on Saturday.

“We did not play well offensively at all this afternoon,” Dodge said. “It’s one of those deals as a football team — sometimes you are going to get into a game and face adversity. What we have to do is not have a ‘here we go again attitude.’ We have to develop good habits. I will be interested to see how our offense responds [today]. We never executed or got out of our funk today.”

Briefly …

Starting center J.J. Johnson missed Wednesday’s practice with a minor shoulder injury, but is expected to be back by Monday. Kelvin Drake, who started at center in 2007 before sitting out last season, has moved from his starting guard spot back to center to fill in for Johnson.

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