Photo Courtesy: Sandy McAnally
By Craig Fields
The North Texas Mean Green channeled their inner The Doors hit when they broke on through to the other side to get their first win of the season. UNT now 1-7 got their first win of the season last Saturday against the UTSA Roadrunners, now also 1-7.
All three phases of the team, offense, defense, and special teams, came together to finally get a win. If they had lost to the Roadrunners, Halloween night would have been a lot scarier for the Mean Green, because going 0-12 for the first time in the school’s history would have seemed like a real possibility.
Both teams missed opportunities to put points on the board and extend a lead. But at the end of the day UTSA’s missed opportunities cost them the game. North Texas’ ability to take advantage of a few key moments in the game ultimately led to the victory.
North Texas quarterback DaMarcus Smith only completed 11 of 22 passes for 104 yards, but where he was most effective was using his legs. The strong quarterback rushed 14 times for 154 yards and a touchdown.
Rushing the ball was really the theme on Saturday for the Mean Green as Jeffrey Wilson also rushed 22 times for 135 yards. Despite being outgained in yardage by 104 yards, and losing the time of possession by 15 minutes, UNT still managed to pull out the win.
It might’ve had something to do with the fact that for the first time of the season, UNT did not lose the turnover battle. While they did have two turnovers, they also caused UTSA to cough up the ball twice as well.
The most pivotal play of the game came on a simple extra point attempt. UTSA had just scored a touchdown to take the lead 23-21 and the special teams unit was lining up for the typical point after. However, what transpired next was anything but typical.
Mean Green lineman Austin Orr got a hand up and blocked the PAT and Chad Davis scooped up the ball and ran it back about 90-yards for a score to make the score 23-23. That was not only a morale booster for the Mean Green, but it swung the momentum of the game.
On the following possession the Mean Green would score what would be the game winning touchdown. The defense did not play that well in this game giving up almost 500 yards of total offense, but for the final 7:51 of the game, the defense kept the Roadrunners scoreless.
Having a record of 1-7 may not seem like much. Heck honestly that is a terrible record. But for a team that was winless on the season, and lost their head coach earlier this season, this win meant the world to this kids and the coaching staff.
The Mean Green will go on the road for their next game where they are 0-4 on the season. Perhaps after this first win at home, they might feel like they can get their first road win at Joe Aillet Stadium against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
