UNT Defeats Florida Atlantic

The University of North Texas won their second home game in row by defeating Florida Atlantic University 31 to 17 at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas. All four UNT touchdowns came after forced FAU turnovers. The FAU Owls tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, but their 14 unanswered points wasn’t enough.

UNT’s first score came midway thru the first quarter when FAU running back Travis Jones muffed a 53 yard UNT punt. The ball was recovered on the Florida Atlantic 4 yard line by North Texas linebacker Colton Clay. Three plays later, Derek Thompson (UNT QB) gives UNT a 7-0 lead with 06:06 remaining in the first quarter.

At the half, the time of possession and total offensive yards indicated the game was dead even. This all changed in the third quarter. A 52 yard field goal by UNT’s Zach Olen, and two interceptions returned for touchdowns, put UNT in control of the game. A third “mean green” interception, that culminated in a two yard TD run by UNT running back Lance Dunbar, gave UNT a 31 to 3 third quarter lead.

An FAU field goal in the third quarter and a change of quarterbacks in the fourth was the spark the Owls needed to get their offense on track. FAU scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough. The UNT Eagles hold on to win 31 to 17.

The 31 points for North Texas was the most they had scored this season. The 13,142 fans in attendance witnessed

another outstanding performance by UNT running back Lance Dunbar (105 rushing yards). This was his 19th career 100-yard game. Dunbar trails only Montel Harris of Boston College and LaMichael James of Oregon among active running backs in career 100-yard games.

UNT is now 1-1 in Sun Belt Conference action, while FAU falls to 0-2. Next week the Eagles go on the road to play Louisiana-Lafayette. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 5-1 this season and will be a real test for the 2-4 “mean green.”

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