The loss dropped WKU to 0-8 and 0-4 in the Sun Belt, while the Mean Green snapped a six-game losing streak and improved to 2-6 and 1-4 in the league.
The two teams also combined for 1,008 yards of total offense, with WKU going for a 427 yards and UNT racking up 589.
The teams wasted little time setting the tone for the day offensively, as North Texas went 67 yards on the opening drive of the contest, getting a one-yard touchdown run from James Hamilton to take a quick 7-0 lead. The Hilltoppers needed little to respond, however, as Derrius Brooks returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards down to the North Texas six-yard line. Bobby Rainey was then able to find the endzone on the first play to even things up at 7-7.
Another long Mean Green drive followed, as they were able to go 66 yards in six plays. UNT quarterback Riley Dodge completed all three of his pass attempts on the drive, including a 14-yard strike to Darius Carey for a touchdown.
WKU’s ground game came to life on the next two drives, producing the two longest scoring plays of the season. Marell Booker broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14-14 with 6:31 to go in the opening quarter. Tyrell Hayden then capped off a 77-yard drive with a 50-yard run on the first play of the second quarter to put the Toppers in front 21-14.
The Hilltoppers made it four straight possessions with a touchdown as they were able to march 84 yards before Kawaun Jakes found Jack Doyle for his first career touchdown reception — a three-yard catch in the back of the end zone — to stretch the WKU lead to 28-14.
Dodge hooked up with Carey again for a touchdown, this time from seven yards, to pull the Mean Green back within seven with 4:48 remaining in the half, but WKU came right back with its fifth touchdown of the half, going 75 yards in just over four minutes. Jakes found Marcus Vasquez for a 13-yard touchdown as the Hilltoppers again stretched the lead to 14 points with 47 seconds left before the half.
That wouldn’t be the last score of the half, however, as UNT ran the kickoff back to the WKU 46 yard line. Six plays later, Dodge connected with Jamaal Jackson for an 11-yard touchdown with six seconds left in the half to send the teams to the locker room with WKU holding on to a 35-28 lead.
The momentum swung back in favor of the home team early in the second half as WKU was able to drive down the field before Kenechukwa Obi forced a fumble the was recovered by the Mean Green. North Texas was then able to go 70 yards in just 90 seconds as Dodge scored on a three-yard run to tie the game at 35-35 with 10:38 to go in the third quarter.
Each team added two more scores in the third quarter — all coming on runs. Rainey found paydirt for the second time in the game as he capped off a seven-play, 66-yard drive with a three-yard run to put WKU back in front 42-35, but Dodge scored on an 18-yard run to again tie the game.
Dunbar did a bulk of the work on the ground, carrying 23 times for 227 yards and a touchdown.
Booker finished with a career-high 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Rainey finished with 87 yards on the ground. Jake Gaebler led the Hilltopper receivers with nine catches for 58 yards, moving him within two catches of becoming WKU’s career leader.
The Hilltopper will return home next Saturday (Nov. 7) to host Troy at 4 p.m. (CST) in the 2009 Homecoming Game at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.
Post a Comment
