North Texas Daily

The North Texas football team continued its performance from last week’s game against SMU by beating Incarnate Word 58-16, giving the Mean Green its first 2-0 start since 1994.

Coming out of the game with 58 points coupled with last week’s 46 point performance, the Mean Green has now scored the most points in their first two games in school history with 104 points.

The team was led again by an aerial attack by junior quarterback Mason Fine and a defense that forced three turnovers.

“I thought overall it was a complete game,” head coach Seth Littrell said. “We still have a lot to work on and nowhere near where we need to be, but I’m excited about the start we have going 2-0, and we’ve handled it the right way.”

Fine completed 19 of 33 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns in the first half to give North Texas a 41-6 halftime lead. Fine ended the game throwing 25 of 40 for 418 yards and four touchdowns.

This marks Fine’s second consecutive 400-yard passing game — a first in school history and the third of his career.

Fine credits the team’s preparation as a reason for their recent performances.

“I think that’s where it comes down to,” Fine said. “I think we’re the team that prepares right throughout the week, and that just gives us the opportunity to go out there and execute well on Saturdays.”

The defense racked up three turnovers in the first half, two of which were interceptions by senior defensive backs Kemon Hall and Nate Brooks. The other was a mishandled snap that was recovered by senior linebacker E.J. Ejiya.

Linebackers Brandon Garner and Jamie King combined with Ejiya to contribute a total of 21 tackles, seven of which were for a loss as they held the Cardinals under 300 yards.

For Hall, this was his second straight game with an interception, having returned a 36 yarder in last week’s game.

Besides the defense giving up two big touchdown runs, Brooks felt like it was a great showing throughout the rest of the game.

“It’s feeling great,” Brooks said. “We’re not giving up too many points and making that many mistakes. We’re dominating like we should be.”

Despite the running game averaging only 3.6 yards per carry Saturday, sophomore running back DeAndre Torrey managed to find the end zone three times in his first official start for the Mean Green.

“I was just happy that coach trusted me enough to know that I knew what I was doing and it worked out for the best,” Torrey said.

Junior receiver Rico Bussey hauled in a career-high in both yards (128) and touchdowns (3) on 8 catches. It’s the most TD’s by a Mean Green receiver since Casey Fitzgerald in 2007.

North Texas (2-0) will travel for the first time next week to Fayetteville to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks (1-1).

Featured Image: Wide receiver Jalen Guyton gives a celebratory wave to his team during their game against the Incarnate Word Cardinals Saturday at Apogee Stadium.