The North Texas Mean Green and the SMU Mustangs meet in the Safeway Bowl to decide which of these Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex based schools will walk away with bragging rights. The rivalry gets its unique name from former UNT coach Matt Simon’s quote, “I'd like to play because I think we could beat them, and my players feel the same way. If they'd like to play in a Safeway parking lot ... just give us a date and time.” The two schools are scheduled to play each season from 2014 to 2025, so make your way to North Texas for these fierce rivalry games.
Mean Green Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
The tailgates at Apogee Stadium have a little something for everyone. If you’re a food lover, you’ve come to the right place, as there are burgers, dogs, and bbq all around you. If you want to drink beer grab a lawn chair and a case and catch a tan before you head in. If you want to join in on a wild frat party and play a few drinking games, you won’t have to look too far either.
When walking through the parking lots, you’ll find a few different styles of bands playing, rock, country, and the mean green band itself. You can catch the rock and country bands in the Jr. Mean Green Fun Zone where they have slides, games, and food setup for a more family friendly area. You can see the Mean Green Band with the dancers, cheer squad and the players as they walk their way into the stadium 2 hours ahead of kickoff.
If you cannot get a parking spot, there is a drop off area allowing fans to head on over to “The Hill” on the east side of the stadium. The Hill is a popular gathering area for fans before and after the game, so feel free to stop by and pregame with some of the most diehard Mean Green fans out there.Those of you wanting to continue the party after the game will want to head on over to Rockin Rodeo. Rockin Rodeo is a favorite post-game spot among Mean Green fans and is located only 5 minutes north of the stadium. Here you’ll find great drinks and Texas country music live on stage providing the perfect place to celebrate a Mean Green victory.
Those of you wanting to continue the party after the game will want to head on over to Rockin Rodeo. Rockin Rodeo is a favorite post-game spot among Mean Green fans and is located only 5 minutes north of the stadium. Here you’ll find great drinks and Texas country music live on stage providing the perfect place to celebrate a Mean Green victory.
The green 1929 Ford Model A can be seen at all Mean Green home games. It’s driven by the Talons Cannon Crew and is quite the sight to see, so keep your eyes peeled for it when attending a Mean Green game.
Two hours before kickoff you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with the Mean Green team, cheer squad, and band as they march into the stadium.
The Mean Green Fun Zone is the perfect pregame destination for young Mean Green fans. The Fun Zone features a variety of kids activities including getting to meet the school’s mascot and free ice cream
The Hill is a popular pregame gather spot among the Mean Green faithful. Atop The Hill, on game days you’ll find tents, grills, and coolers galore. The fans here love to tailgate, which you’ll notice the minute you near The Hill as the smell of delicious grilled meats overcome your senses. If you’re looking to tailgate with the best, the Mean Green have to offer then be sure to stop by The Hill.
After every Mean Green victory clock tower of the McConnell Admissions Building is lit green to let everyone know the football team was victorious. If on-campus after a win, look out for this excellent tradition.
Tailgating on the HillThe Hill is a popular pregame gather spot among the Mean Green faithful. Atop The Hill, on game days you’ll find tents, grills, and coolers galore. The fans here love to tailgate, which you’ll notice the minute you near The Hill as the smell of delicious grilled meats overcome your senses. If you’re looking to tailgate with the best, the Mean Green have to offer then be sure to stop by The Hill.
Mean Green Fun ZoneThe Mean Green Fun Zone is the perfect pregame destination for the young Mean Green fans. The Fun Zone features a variety of kids activities including getting to meet the school’s mascot and free ice cream.
Visiting Team Tailgate LotFor those of you who are fans of the visiting team make sure to join in the tailgate in the visiting team lot. This lot will allow you to tailgate with fellow fans of your team, which is great since you’ll be able to experience all the camaraderie between fans you get at home only on the road.
Mean Green Stadium Guide
In Game
North Texas is a school full of loyal fans that bring passion to every game, while the games may not be sellouts the stadium on average is about 60 percent full for day games, and 75-80% for night games especially against in conference opponents. The new stadium has helped in creating a new gathering spot for anyone looking for a night out thanks to the fantastic value you get for a ticket.
Come for the food and stay for the game. The food options in the stadium range from the traditional gameday burgers, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, and sodas to classic Texas BBQ at Rudy’s BBQ stand to the Maui Wowi stand, which offers tropical drinks, smoothies, and Polynesian food. You won’t leave a Mean Green game hungry, as there are plenty of delicious treats to enjoy while watching North Texas take down the opposition.
You’ll also encounter tons of traditions and things to see at a Mean Green game. The brand new Apogee Stadium features tons to see including murals, sculptures, and much more. The pageantry on display at Mean Green game is nothing to sneeze at either with the Scrappy, the marching band, and cheer team all putting on excellent shows.
There are few better small school college football experiences in the nation than a Mean Green game, so check one out the next time you’re in the DFW area.
This green 1929 Ford Model A can be seen at all Mean Green home games. It’s driven by the Talons Cannon Crew and is quite the sight to see, so keep your eyes peeled for it when attending a Mean Green game.
Boomer is the name of the victory cannon at North Texas and is fired after every Mean Green score as well as before the start of each half. This tradition dates back to 1970 and is a great way to fire up the crowd, so make sure to look out for Boomer.
Located in the south end zone, the bronze eagle statue plays a significant role in the Mean Green introduction. When the Mean Green take the field, each player touches the five-foot tall sculpture as he enters. Make sure to get to your seat early to take in this great tradition.
Throughout the concourse you’ll find a slew of murals depicting some of the greatest players, coaches, and moments in Mean Green history. Stop by and check these out to remember some of the all-time Mean Green greats including Steelers legend Mean Joe Greene.
Apogee Stadium is the first to gain LEED Platinum status for its environmentally friendly design. The stadium is powered by three large wind turbines making it one of the only stadiums powered by the wind, so take note of these massive turbines when attending a Mean Green game.
The eagle claw shows off to everyone who you cheer for, so don’t be shy to flash the eagle claw and show off your Mean Green pride. To take part in this time-honored tradition, all you need to do is make a V with your index and middle finger, extend your thumb, and curl your fingers. Once you master it, you’ll be making friends with fellow Mean Green fans in no time.
Scrappy is the official mascot of the North Texas Mean Green and can be seen at all home football games. His origin dates back to 1971 although he was not official known as Scrappy until 1995. During games keep your eyes peeled for him on the sideline where you’ll spot him entertaining and energizing fans throughout the game.
The school’s nickname is the Mean Green, so don’t be surprised if a green out is in effect when attending a game. During green out, all the fans show up in green to give the team an extra edge. Green shows off your fan support for the Mean Green and does a great job of pumping up the team, so make sure to wear green to the next North Texas game you attend.
Let’s give a cheer for U of NT; Cheer for the Green and White. Victory’s in store whatever the score, Our team will ever fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Shoulder to shoulder we march along, Striving for victory. Playing the game for the honor and fame, And the glory of UNT. U … N … T … Eagles! UNT Eagles Fight, Fight, Fight!
Glory to the Green
Alma Mater
Singing glory to the green, singing glory to the white, For we know our university is striving for the right; Down the corridors of years, we’ll forget the joys and tears, But North Texas, North Texas, we love!
Kick off Cheer
During kickoffs Mean Green fans stand and display the eagle claw while yelling “GOOOOOOOOOO” until the ball is kicked where they then yell in unison “Mean Green!"
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