Quick Reaction: North Texas 55 UT-San Antonio 17

A cathartic victory for the Mean Green

There was some talk before the game that North Texas wouldn’t be able to deal with some physicality from UTSA. The Roadrunners dominated both sides of the ball last week vs Rice, putting up 61-points and knocking three quarterbacks out of the game. Meanwhile, North Texas looked second-best on defense, allowing USF to dominate with a physical run game. UTSA likes to run and has a good defensive line. Would we see a repeat of last week?

Well it didn’t start well. UTSA’s Henry scampered for 72 yards early and NT was down. Drew Mestemaker missed an open look and was bailed out by a roughing call after throwing an interception. NT managed just 3 points.

Then Caleb Hawkins put the team on his back, ran through nearly everyone that was put in front of him — with some nice dance moves along the way — and NT looked like the bully in this fight.

The early takeaway was that North Texas controlled the game, but was lucky, and there is plenty of room for improvement. The defense was bailed out by some drops, some fumbles, some miscues from UTSA. The offense had their own miscues and once again relied upon Caleb Hawkins to make plays. He turned a 2nd and 19 play into a 31-yard gain. Mestemaker had looked downfield and simply tossed the ball to his checkdown. Hawkins made a move and gained 31-yards after it was all said and done. That set up Wyatt Young’s third touchdown of the game and the rout was on.

Let’s get some quick reactions:

1. NT Defense Continues Turnover Streak

The good guys grabbed three turnovers by the start of the fourth quarter. A couple of fumbles forced, and one very fortunate lateral/backward pass in the Mean Green favor. Was that luck? Yes, good fortune for NT, but the Mean Green hustled for the ball. Earlier when Henry fumbled, he was gang-tackled and Clements punched the ball out. This team hunts the ball, is hungry, and has a desperation to jump on any bouncing free ball they can. That is how you make your own luck, or at least take full advantage when Lady Luck smiles upon you.

The defense doesn’t need to get a lot of stops. In fact, this was another game allowing 200+ yards rushing. No one liked the 72-yard run by Henry, and UTSA had 332 total offensive yards. The points, and the scoreline are what matter, however. Seventeen points allowed is a winning number, and so is three turnovers gained.

2. Caleb Hawkins/Wyatt Young Show

Caleb Hawkins was the thunder, running over, around, through guys, and Wyatt Young had 6 grabs for 102 yards and 3 scores by the start of the fourth quarter and therefore the lightning.

It is clear that Caleb Hawkins is the offense’s most dangerous player. He had 133 yards on 18 carries (entering the fourth) and 8 grabs for 90 yards. When you are the best runner, and the 2nd best receiver, you get the star under your name. We start calling you the best player on the team.

Before the season, we asked who would be the go-to wideout. There were many candidates, and Wyatt Young has thrown his name in the hat with some very good performances in two seasons, but nothing consistent. In this game, in the absence of Miles Coleman, he dominated his matchup. Talk about making the most of an opportunity.

3. Drew Mestemaker Bounced Back

The stat line was clean: 277 yards on 22/35 throwing and 4 touchdowns through the air with one on the ground. Most importantly, he didn’t turn the ball over (well, officially). He made decisive throws, and finally found some touch on the deep ball after a couple of misses. Wyatt Young was his favorite target, but Cam Dorner had a quiet good game.

There are a lot of ways to play quarterback, but all of them involve taking care of the ball and getting the ball to playmakers. Drew was fortunate to have Caleb Hawkins make plays for him, but it would be silly not to take advantage of that. He put the ball in the playmaker’s hands and reaped the success.

4. NT Beat A Rival, Ended A Streak, and Memphis Lost

Quickly, this was a big win for the rivalry’s sake. NT had lost 4 straight and blew a golden opportunity to win in San Antonio last year. This was cathartic coming of the loss to USF, but also for the sake of this series. NT was talking a lot of noise — Mestemaker was barking, Tom Von Grote was barking — the third stream QB! — and Jimmerson threw a long touchdown when the game was decided. There was a little dislike there, and it was good to be on the winning side.

Meanwhile, Memphis lost at UAB. Will UAB have that UCLA bounce? The Bruins famously beat Penn State and are now looking renewed after their coaching change. UAB fired Trent Dilfer and suddenly looks like a quality program. It was one game but it has tremendous implications for the season.

Memphis was undefeated and their coach was getting his name thrown in for coaching jobs. They host USF next week with a chance to have the inside track on the American title game and now suddenly could be on the outside looking in. A loss to USF and the fate of their league season is in the hands of others. North Texas meanwhile, benefits from these circumstances.

If you are scoring at home, you want USF to win out, and North Texas to do the same. If that happens, then NT will face USF in Tampa for the American championship game.

Of course, there are no easy games in this league. Ask Memphis. So enjoy this one because none of them are easy and none of them come cheap.

Go Mean Green!