In the end, the Mean Green did what we predicted. The over/under was 63.5 and NT was favored by 17-points. MGN predicted a final of 55-17. We thought the explosive offense we have seen for weeks was going to be too much for a Rice team that has shown some food things, but ultimately hasn’t shown they can stop anyone with reuglarity. We thought Rice would move the ball, but wouldn’t be able to consistently deliver execution.
All that came to pass, but in an order of events that put everyone rooting for the Green-and-White at a level of unease. Tayven Jackson, praised this week in multiple outlets and so consistently accurate and poised was firing the ball all over and missing reads. Jahiem White, always the focus of the defense, didn’t get much daylight to operate.
It was 10-7 at the half and it looked like maybe Rice had the opening they needed. Instead North Texas scored 42 points in the second half, ripped off 495 yards of offense including 192 on the ground — 139 from Jahiem White.
The triplets hit the 300/100/100 and combined for 6 scores.
If you are a box score watcher, this didn’t look much different than previous weeks.
Okay, let’s get into it
1. Tayven Jackson Had A Bad Game (and still delivered)
Statistically speaking, he was plus-300 and threw a score, while running for two others. In reality he didn’t hit the long balls he usually does, and misfired throughout the game. Even the 48-yarder to Stevenson to open the gam was a little long. He played through a bad game but his C+ performance was still good for a winning effort.
Credit to the staff and to Jackson for sticking with it. He was praised all week (deservedly) but he just couldn’t find the rhythm. The book on him is that he gets happy feet and starts throwing it wayward when pressured. North Texas had come into this game with a reputation of protecting the QB. Jackson was sacked twice. He was pressured other times.
Credit Rice for doing a good job defending in coverage, but Jackson was misfiring throughout the game and it didn’t look like anything the Owls were causing. Credit to him for closing the game out strong.
2. Jahiem White Delivered
Jahiem White has now scored in 11-straight games, including all nine of the games for North Texas this season. He ran for three tonight, including a highlight-reel 60-yarder to blow it open. For the first half he looked like the only thing working, even if there wasn’t much room for him to do anything. The game started with a quick screen to him, and NT found some short runs.
Usually, the play-action game opens things up for the run game. Teams basically dare Jackson to throw it over the top, with how focused they are on White’s running ability. After NT was able to finally hit on some pass plays (S/O Max Reese) Jahiem found pay dirt by taking a gap-run out wide, and sprinting up the sideline.
21 carries 139 yards 3 TDs.
4 catches 31 yards.
White is the best player on the squad and opens up everything else for the rest of the team. Quarterback is the most important position just because of the nature of the role, but the offense flows because White can do what he did tonight. Short yardage, home runs — whatever you think of he can do it.
3. The Defense Got Big Stops Late
Rice can be dangerous and also does some self-harm (drops, penalties, etc). Each week their highlights are two long touchdowns — and those are the only points they score. Tonight, they had some long runs, and some effective passes. The only managed 17 during the competitive part of the game (one score came with under a minute and backups in the game).
For a moment, North Texas looked like they were likely to go down to a hugnry Rice team. Instead, Powledge’s team got a 3-and-out, then followed that up by a forced fumble. The offense capitalized on both.
The game was one of two halves, and the defense getting big stops was the catalyst.
Final Thoughts And A Look Ahead
Homecoming weekend vs Rice brought 23K to see a good Mean Green squad. North Texas was always likely to be rusty after a tough week that saw them score 97-points in six days. Everyone rested but there was rust. There were also injuries. Kyle Koch was a late scratch, Corri Milliner is still out, and Josiah Martin has also been hurt. Baron Tipton, and Dalton Carnes had to step up and that left Stevenson as the only one who can take the top off the defense. Max Reese had a huge game, converting a couple of third-and-longs.
Whatever coaching or preparation was done did not overcome tired bodies and some rust. North Texas managed to do what they wanted, and what we all expected. Football seasons are like this. Not every game can be a three-phase domination. Good teams dig deep and find a way to win no matter what. Potential championship teams find a way to make the scoreboard nice even while not playing well.
UTSA was thumped by FAU this past Thurday night — coming off a bye. Their coach has won a couple of league titles and was in the running for a new gig. So yeah, it can happen to even the most accomplished guys. There was a risk that North Texas would be walking into San Antonio feeling good while UTSA would be licking their wounds trying to shake off the embarrassment of allowing 60 points and 300+ yards rushing.
A little appropriate fear of the possibility is useful and good. Tayven Jackson spent the week giving some interviews and listening to praise. It is good to get a little brushback. He bounced back in this one. I know he doesn’t want to have the same kind of early performance next week.
This coming game is the biggest regular season game since that Navy game last year. North Texas gets a chance to establish themselves as the front-runner for an American title game berth, and also the favorite to host it. The opponents after this one are Tulane (lost by 50 today) and UAB (beat Charlotte by 11) — two eminently beatable squads (7th and 8th in the league respectively).
UTSA is the only other top-six team NT will face in this league. FAU was the other.
Some common opponents: Navy (both won) FAU (NT won, UTSA lost by 31), Tx State (NT lost, UTSA won), Rice (UTSA won by 2, NT by 29). Both will play Tulane, and UAB.
For me, North Texas has been clearly the better team. But UTSA plays much better at home. I’m so hyped I’ve forwent the press box for the stands and will be at the Alamodome for the festivities. Cant’ wait. These are the kinds of games we want, folks. GMG