Over the last few weeks of what has been a disappointing season thus far, North Texas head coach Todd Dodge has tried to emphasize the positive.

This week, it’s the Mean Green’s defense that showed a few signs of progress in a loss to Louisiana-Monroe that dropped UNT to 0-7 on the year.

UNT allowed 35 points in the first half before rebounding and posting a shutout in the second half of a 35-23 setback at Malone Stadium.

The half was by far the Mean Green’s best of the season defensively, which will give UNT something to build on heading into what could be a tough homecoming game on Saturday against Sun Belt Conference frontrunner Troy.

“We executed better defensively in the second half,” Dodge said. “We gained confidence from the game and can draw some things from it. The players we are playing with defensively are going to be around a while. We are going to accentuate the positives, including the way we limited mistakes in the second half.”

UNT will need to build on that performance to have a chance against Troy, which has won consecutive games, including a 33-23 victory over Florida International last week.

Troy’s performance was all the more impressive considering it came in the Trojans’ first game without starting quarterback Jamie Hampton, who was lost for the season to a knee injury in a win over Florida Atlantic.

Levi Brown

The Trojans are tied with Louisiana-Lafayette atop the Sun Belt standings at 3-0 and rank third in the league with an average of 32.2 points a game behind a big-play offense. Troy wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan scored on an 86-yard pass from Levi Brown, one of three quarterbacks who helped fill in for Hampton in the Trojans’ win over FAU.

Jernigan took some snaps at quarterback, as did freshman Dan Parker.

UNT gave up four touchdowns that covered at least 45 yards against ULM and will have to limit big plays against the Trojans. Jernigan caught a 46-yard touchdown pass in Troy’s 45-7 whacking of the Mean Green last season, when the Trojans scored on four plays of at least 38 yards.

“Six of our losses last season came down to seven possessions,” Dodge said. “We have not knocked it down to that yet, but we are getting there.”

ULM offensive coordinator Steve Farmer attributed the number of big plays the Warhawks came up with against UNT to execution.

“The big thing about our early start was that the guys made plays,” Farmer said. “The kids did exactly what we asked them to do. The second half was a major disappointment. We had big plays nullified by knuckleheaded mistakes.”

Brown solid in debut as starter for Troy

UNT will catch a quarterback still adjusting to his role as a starter this week in its game against Troy. Thus far that doesn’t appear as if that will be a big advantage for the Mean Green.

Brown stepped in for Hamp-ton and threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns on an 18-for-28 passing performance.

Brown transferred to Troy from Richmond, but lost out in a three-way quarterback battle in fall practice that also included Tanner Jones.

WKU will have extra time to prepare for UNT

Western Kentucky will have an extra week to prepare for its game against UNT in two weeks, thanks to a well-timed bye in its schedule.

The Hilltoppers have lost their last four games, including a 24-20 setback against Florida Atlantic last week.

“We like that we have a bye this week,” WKU head coach David Elson said. “We have played eight straight weeks. We will go with a three-pronged attack. We will rest up, try to improve and begin to get ready for North Texas.”

WKU could have revenge on its mind this season when the Mean Green travels to Bowling Green, Ky.

UNT picked up a 27-26 win last year at Fouts Field when Hilltoppers kicker Chris James missed what could have been a game-winning field goal from 38 yards out with 1:01 left in the fourth quarter.

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