Mean Green football routed by Louisiana Tech on road
North Texas sophomore running back Jeffery Wilson (26) runs the ball out of bounds late in the game. Wilson had 135 yards on 22 carries against UTSA. Colin Mitchell | Intern Photographer
Reece Waddell | Senior Staff Writer
One week removed from its first win of the season, the Mean Green football team visited rainy Ruston, Louisiana and was routed by Louisiana Tech University 56-13.
The offensive struggles that have plagued the Mean Green (1-8, 1-5) throughout the season returned, as the Mean Green were shut out through three quarters. North Texas has now been outscored 214-53 in the first half this year.
“You can’t have five turnovers, and I think three of them led to touchdowns,” interim head coach Mike Canales said. “DaMarcus [Smith] has to continue to understand the schemes, and he just didn’t do as well as I thought he would tonight.”
Louisiana Tech (7-3, 5-1) on the other hand had no trouble putting points on the board, as the Bulldogs came into the game ranked second in Conference USA at 38 points per game.
Senior running back Kenneth Dixon had a career day for Louisiana Tech, rushing for 195 yards and a Conference USA record six rushing touchdowns. Three of the scores came in the first half, where he racked up 110 yards.
The Bulldogs took their opening drive into North Texas territory, but they fumbled as the rain-soaked field caused problems for both teams early. The fumble recovery by the Mean Green marked the first time this season the defense forced a turnover in consecutive games.
But the ensuing North Texas drive stalled, and Dixon broke free for a 70 yard run to set the Bulldogs up with first and goal. Two plays later, he found the end zone from one yard out to put Louisiana Tech up 7-0.
Junior quarterback DaMarcus Smith struggled from the outset and finished the game 25 of 45 for 234 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, with both scores coming when the game was out of reach in the fourth quarter.
“He has to be better,” Canales said. “Not just him, but all of us.”
The rain caused even more problems for the Mean Green on its next drive, as the snap on a punt went over junior Blake Macek’s head and was returned by the Bulldogs for a touchdown to make it 14-0. From there the route was on, as Louisiana Tech poured it on North Texas to the tune of 573 total yards of offense and a 49-0 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The shutout was avoided when Smith connected with sophomore wide receiver Turner Smiley for a five yard touchdown reception to make to make it 49-7. North Texas tacked on one more touchdown late in the fourth when senior wide receiver Carlos Harris got in on the action, hauling in a 14 yard pass to cut the Louisiana Tech lead to 49-13. Harris finished with five catches on the night, moving him into second place on the school’s all-time reception list.
The loss is North Texas’ 11th straight on the road and their third by at least 40 points this season.
“We’ve got to continue to improve and develop our players,” Canales said. “We’re not very big, and they are a big strong football team that has great speed. And we don’t.”
The Mean Green continue its three-game road trip Saturday, Nov. 14 with a trip to the University of Tennessee. Kickoff is slated for 11:00 a.m.
Featured Image: File Photo
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