North Texas Daily

MULTIMEDIA

By Justin Umberson / Sports Editor –
(Video By Jayda Quincey and Christena Dowsett / Photographer and Photo Editor)

The UNT homecoming game lacked the storybook comeback ending, as the Mean Green fell 44-40 to the Florida Atlantic University Owls Saturday at Fouts Field.

For the second week in a row sophomore running back Lance Dunbar gashed a Sun Belt Conference opponent for over 200 total yards, but the Mean Green gave up 528 yards to the Owls, which was too much to overcome.

“Just a gut-wrenching loss in the big picture,” head coach Todd Dodge said. “We didn’t play well enough for 60 minutes to deserve to win.”

Lance Dunbar, a sophomore running back, heads towards the goal line and proceeded to make a touchdown in the next play against Florida Atlantic University on Saturday the 17th. Dunbar rushed a career high of 238 yards and made three touchdowns. (Photo By Christena Dowsett / Photo Editor)

After leading the Mean Green to a 19-14 second quarter lead, redshirt freshman quarterback Riley Dodge was knocked out with a high ankle sprain and replaced by redshirt junior Nathan Tune. Two UNT fumbles later, the Mean Green found itself down 30-19 at halftime.

Tune came out firing, as he completed his first six pass attempts and eventually led the Mean Green to a 40-37 lead with eight minutes to play. But one of three kickoff out of bounds penalties by senior kicker Jeremy Knott gave the Owls good field position, which they took advantage of to pull ahead of UNT for the final score.

“I work hard and know how to play quarterback,” Tune said. “I hope for the chance to play more, but deserve is not the right word.”

For the third straight contest, junior wide receiver Jamaal Jackson at least tied for the team lead in catches. Jackson pulled in five catches from Riley Dodge and Tune, bring his season total to 37. True freshman Darius Carey is second with 24.

“It’s a tough loss, but coach tells us how to have pride,” Jackson said. “We have to act like champions and just flush it.”

Saturday UNT travels to Troy Alabama to face off with the three time defending Sun Belt champion Trojans at 2:30 p.m., where Dunbar will start his third straight game despite the return of senior Cam Montgomery.