One of the comforting aspects of North Texas’ future at the end of the 2009 season was that so many of the key components of its effective passing game weren’t going anywhere.

Or at least that was the plan.

Riley Dodge would be back at quarterback and have an additional year of experience. Jamaal Jackson, Darius Carey and B.J. Lewis would benefit from a full offseason worth of work and the Mean Green would have several months to continue developing the chemistry they had established.

Nathan Tune

A lot has changed since that time, which will make how UNT fares in its season opener on Saturday at Clemson all the more interesting.

Mike Canales has taken over as offensive coordinator, Nathan Tune is in at quarterback and three of UNT’s returning starters at wide receiver have missed at least some time since the end of last season due to serious injuries.

On Saturday, UNT is hoping the quartet that helps make its offense go will be on the field together for one of the first times since last season.

“I would worry about continuity if we didn’t have so many good things happen on the practice field, and that is what you look for,” UNT head coach Todd Dodge said on Monday during the Sun Belt Conference weekly teleconference. “Our quarterback-receiver corps did a good job working over the summer and came in firing on all cylinders, starting with routes on air and going all the way though 11-on-11. We have had some nicks and some people beat up, but we have still been able to execute.”

Tune took over after Riley Dodge moved to wide receiver late in spring practice and won the starting job in a two-way battle with Derek Thompson.

The former Celina standout has won the trust of his teammates with a solid performance in practice and in scrimmages.

What will be interesting to see is how UNT’s wide receiver rotation looks at Clemson. Jackson has missed more than a week of practice with a ligament problem in his wrist, Carey is still working his way back from a broken hand that has limited him throughout the fall, and Lewis is recovering from knee surgery.

Benny Jones, who is competing for a place in UNT’s rotation, is still recovering from a sprained ankle.

UNT won’t make a decision on whether Lewis or Jones will play against Clemson until today or Wednesday.

Wide receivers Christopher Bynes and Brelan Chancellor and tight end Jamize Olawale appear as if they will help fill the void, but Bynes and Olawale transferred to UNT from junior colleges and are still adjusting to UNT’s offense. Chancellor is a freshman with only a few weeks of practice at the college level.

Dodge is confident UNT will be able to put those players in position to succeed in part because of yet another offseason switch in the addition of Canales, who was the offensive coordinator at South Florida.

“Mike has done a tremendous job of taking the pieces that we have, finding out what they do best, and adding wrinkles to our offense,” Dodge said.

UNT has seen those changes pay dividends in practice, which the Mean Green believes is a good sign for the season.

“I am confident that what we have done in practice will translate to games,” Dodge said. “Nathan has been accurate and has taken what he has done in the film room and transferred it to the practice field.”

Cantly out, Gaines questionable for opener

Defensive lineman Tevinn Cantly will not travel to Clemson. He is one of several players whose status is in question heading into the week.

Defensive end Frank Gaines joined Lewis and Carey on the list of players who are still questionable.

“He looked good on Sunday,” Dodge said of Gaines. “We will see how he looks on Tuesday.”

Kilgore to start at MTSU

Logan Kilgore will start at quarterback for Middle Tennes-see in its season opener against Minnesota on Thursday following the indefinite suspension of starter Dwight Dasher for an NCAA rules violation.

“Logan understands the offense and can make all the throws we want him to make,” MTSU head coach Rick Stock-still said. “He’s a positive guy and his teammates respect him.”

Troy to go with two QBs

Troy will play both junior Jamie Hampton and redshirt freshman Corey Robinson throughout the season at quarterback, head coach Larry Blakeney said.

Blakeney has a good idea who its starter will be in its season opener against Bowling Green on Saturday, but he isn’t going to say.

“We have a good idea, but it will be a game-time deal,” Blake-ney said. “Both of them will play. Jamie has played against a lot of good teams and has good running ability, while Corey’s strength is throwing the ball.”

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