UNT Defeats ULM
The University of North Texas dominated the fourth quarter against the University of Louisiana at Monroe to secure a third consecutive home game win this season. In the fourth a recovered fumble returned for a TD and a 60-yard TD run by UNT running back Lance Dunbar lifted the Eagles to a 38 to 21 victory.
UNT struggled in the first quarter. The UNT opening kickoff was returned 100-yards by ULM wide receiver Luther Ambrose to give the Warhawks an immediate 7-0 lead. It was the first time this year the “mean green” allowed a kick return for a touchdown. UNT answered with a 40-yard TD pass from quarterback Derek Thompson to wide receiver Chancellor Brelan to tie the game (7-7) with 6:22 remaining in the first quarter. Behind the hard running of ULM running back Centarius Donald, the Warhawks regained the lead (14-7) with a minute to go in the first.
On their first possession of the second quarter, the “mean green” culminated an eight minute twelve play drive with a TD pass to Christopher Bynes, who caught a career-high five passes in the first half. Going into halftime the game was tied at 14 to 14.
Both offenses moved the ball well in the third quarter. After exchanging touchdowns, UNT’s Zach Olen kicked a 46-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 24 to 21 lead going into the fourth quarter.
ULM quarterback Kolton Browning spent much of the fourth quarter scrambling to avoid a strong pass rush by the UNT defense. Browning was sacked four times and threw one interception in fourth. The North Texas defense also scored on a fumble recovery by linebacker Jullan Herron who ran it in from the ULM 16-yard line. A 60-yard run by Lance Dunbar with 2:57 remaining in the game sealed the 38 to 21 win.
This was a break-out game for North Texas quarterback Derek Thompson who eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the first time in his career. Thompson piled up 332 yards on 23-of-39 passing. Aside from passing yards, Thompson also notched a career high in completions and tied a career-high in touchdown passes (3). Also, having a great night for UNT was defensive end Brandon Akpunku. His sack in the fourth quarter gave him 17 career sacks, which is seventh in NT history.
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