Bethune-Cookman’s bid to obtain their third scalp of a FBS opponent was shot down in the Lone Star State on Saturday night. North Texas rode to a 41-20 victory over BCU behind the strength of a strong running game.
BCU’s upset efforts looked on course early after the Wildcat D forced a 3 and out on UNT’s first possession. Frank Brown returned the ensuing punt 88 yards to put BCU ahead 7-0. It was the Wildcat’s first punt return touchdown since Michael Williams took one to the house against Hampton in 2009.
North Texas responded to BCU’s special teams touchdown with a 10 play, 65 yard touchdown drive that ended with a Jeffrey Wilson 20 yard scoot.
The Mean Green secured their first lead of the contest after a blocked Johnathan Cagel punt was returned 1 yard for a score. Wilson scored his 2nd rushing touchdown from 10 yards out and Trevor Moore converted a 19 yard FG to stretch the UNT lead to 24-7 at halftime.
UNT opened the 2nd half with a 12 play, 83 yard touchdown drive before BCU safety Diquan Richardson picked off a Mason Fine pass and returned it 30 yards for the Wildcat’s second score showing off some nifty footwork in the process.
The Wildcats squandered their best opportunity to get back in the game after they failed to score after recovering a blocked punt on the North Texas 5 yard line. A touchdown would have withered the lead to 2 scores with over 14 minutes remaining in the contest but it wasn’t meant to be.
The teams traded touchdowns in the 4th quarter with BCU’s coming on the effort of quarterback Arkevious Williams racing 83 yards to pay dirt outrunning several North Texas defenders in the process.
The Wildcat offense looked sluggish all night and were outgained by almost a 2-1 margin (450 total yards to 231). Meanwhile the defense played a little better than the final score indicates but certainly have plenty room for growth.
Terry Sims and company will try to right the ship when Tennessee State come to town next Saturday for a 4:00 kickoff.
| Matchup | ||
| 1st Downs | 9 | 28 |
| 3rd down efficiency | 2-12 | 7-16 |
| 4th down efficiency | 0-3 | 2-3 |
| Total Yards | 231 | 450 |
| Passing | 74 | 121 |
| Comp-Att | 8-19 | 15-33 |
| Yards per pass | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 1 |
| Rushing | 157 | 329 |
| Rushing Attempts | 32 | 51 |
| Yards per rush | 4.9 | 6.5 |
| Penalties | 10-79 | 4-48 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 1 |
| Possession | 26:26 | 33:34 |
hailwildcats.com 