No. 18 Army remains level-headed as it strives for a perfect season and will next visit North Texas.

DENTON, Texas (AP) — Army’s quest for its first perfect season in 75 years doesn’t appear to be causing much commotion among the Black Knights.

At least that’s what coach Jeff Monken thinks with his Team No. 18 on a 12-game winning streak dating back to last season, the nation’s longest to date and Army’s best since the 1949-50 season.

“I really don’t know how to put into words the temperament of this team,” said Monken, who led Army to its highest ranking since 1962. “They don’t seem to care about winning, as crazy as that sounds. Sometimes teams get into this situation and you go, “Oh my gosh.” Oh my god. There’s almost pressure that you have to win the next one. I don’t think our guys feel it.”

The next matchup is Saturday in North Texas, where the Black Knights (8-0, 6-0 American Athletic) will face their No. 5 defense nationally against the No. 3 ranked offense in the country.

It’s enough to make Monken feel a little uneasy, even if he doesn’t know that the Mean Greens (5-3, 2-2) picked up a decisive win over an undefeated team the last time they hosted a ranked opponent. UTSA was 11-0 when it lost 45-23 in Denton three years ago.

“I just watched them attack for the last two hours and I threw up in a trash can,” Monken said. “They are so explosive and talented.”

The Black Knights, who have never trailed on their winning streak, have long been methodical in their three-option attack. Monken says he’s not sure who will be responsible.

Bryson Daly missed a 20-3 win over Air Force last week. with an unspecified injury or illness. At the time, he led the country with 19 touchdown passes.

Dewayne Coleman took over at quarterback, but the offensive star against the Falcons was running back Kanye Udo, who rushed for a career-high 158 yards and scored both touchdowns.

“His health is improving,” Monken said of Daily. “We expect him to be able to train before the end of the week, which will allow us to determine his status for Saturday’s game. “I’m optimistic because there’s a chance.”

Defensive fight

As good as the North Texas offense is, a weak defense is a major reason for back-to-back bowl-eligible losses in coach Eric Morris’ second season.

Evil Green lost 52-44 in Memphis And 45-37 at home vs. Tulane before being given two weeks to prepare for the Army’s unique offensive. UNT ranks 121st in total defense, allowing 449 yards per game.

“We’ll have to prepare for both,” Morris said of Daily and Coleman. “This doesn’t make it any easier under any circumstances. Teams have had trouble figuring them out all year.”

Successful pass

North Texas’ Chandler Morris leads the FBS in passing yards per game with 359.1 and is tied for second with 29.

The former Dallas High School standout, who started his career at Oklahoma and transferred to TCU, about 40 miles south of UNT’s Denton campus, has four games of at least 400 yards this season.

Morris’ main target is D.T. Sheffield, which is tied for second nationally with 10 receiving touchdowns.

“He’s the most explosive player we’ve faced this year,” Monken said. “It’s exciting, it’s dangerous and it gets everyone’s attention.”

Almost perfect

The Black Knights have committed just one loss and are on a six-game streak without one loss. The play was unsuccessful, meaning Army is the only team in the country without an interception. The run attack averages 8.1 assists per game.

Although the Black Knights never got back, they have 12 interceptions, giving them a turnover differential of plus 11. Morris has eight interceptions, but six of them came early in the season in back-to-back games.

Ups and downs

The Mean Green averages 528 yards of offense per game while the Black Knights allow just 273. UNT ranks sixth in the country in scoring offense at 40.8 points per game. Army is No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing 11.3 goals per game.

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