The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – North Texas – INSIDE SLANT
North Texas was down 20-6 in the second half to UL-Lafayette and was just stuffed early in the third quarter on a fourth down play near the goal line.
But after that, it was all UNT. The Mean Green rallied to tie and took the lead late on a 78-yard screen pass for a touchdown from Derek Thompson to Antoinne Jimmerson, giving UNT a 30-23 upset win over the Ragin’ Cajuns, who were in first place in the Sun Belt.
The win improved UNT to 3-4, 2-1 in Sun Belt play, and was UNT’s second straight Sun Belt win.
“We beat a really good team,” head coach Dan McCarney said. “I challenged the team at half to go out and win, and they did.”
Jimmerson’s first score of the night, a 28-yard reception, cut the score to 20-13. Brelan Chancellor had a 34-yard run for a score to tie the game. Both teams got field goals in the fourth quarter before Jimmerson scored on his screen pass with 1:54 remaining.
“We’ve got to stop losing and find ways to win,” McCarney said. “That’s what we’re doing. We had some guys really rise up and make some plays. When you win a game, all the little things pay off.”
Thompson hit 17 of 28 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
“We knew coming into the game that this was going to be a physical game, so injuries are no excuse,” ULL head coach Mark Hudspeth said. “They are a good football team whose record is deceptive. They played two teams in the top 10 in the nation this year which goes to show you the level that they are capable of playing.”
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NCAAF Team Report – North Texas – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: North Texas gets a week and a half off before a road game on Oct. 27 against an improved Middle Tennessee team. After the upset win over ULL, UNT finds itself in a position to get to six games and possibly go to a bowl.
–ULL quarterback Terrance Broadway’s 75-yard touchdown run was the longest run allowed by UNT’s defense this year.
–The game on ESPN2 was the first time UNT had been on that network since 2005, when the Mean Green’s 26-game conference win streak ended with a loss to Troy.
–North Texas snapped a run of five straight losses to ULL.
KEEP AN EYE ON: RB Antoinne Jimmerson — He didn’t get as many carries as Brandin Byrd or Jeremy Brown, but showed that he’s a big-play threat that UNT has sorely needed. Jimmerson is at his best catching screen passes and scored two touchdowns off them.
LOOKING GOOD: The North Texas defense, which held ULL to just 106 rushing yards and made a big forced fumble and recovery late in the game to seal the win.
STILL NEEDS WORK: UNT’s red zone offense. The Mean Green got three field goals from Zach Olen, but all came within 30 yards. UNT was also stuffed on a fourth down inside the ULL 5-yard line.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We wanted to showcase this team. We had a chance to show what we’re made of, and we dug down deep.” — UNT quarterback Derek Thompson.
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NCAAF Team Report – North Texas – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES
–The 78-yard touchdown reception by Antoinne Jimmerson, the game-winner, was the longest play of his career. He had a career-high 106 receiving yards.
–Receiver Brelan Chancellor added his first rushing touchdown of the year with a 34-yard run.
–Linebacker Zach Orr had his first interception of the season.
ROSTER REPORT
–Coleman Feeley moved back into the starting lineup at right tackle.
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