DENTON, TX – North Texas beat Marshall in ever statistical category and most importantly on the scoreboard Saturday night as the Mean Green handed Marshall its fourth consecutive loss, 38-21.
North Texas outgained Marshall 458 yards to 271 in total offense. The Mean Green dominated the ground game, racking up 252 yards rushing while Marshall managed a meager 13 yards rushing on 28 carries.
“It finally came together for us,” North Texas head coach Seth Littrell said. “I feel like we were progressing the last couple of weeks.
“We fought extremely hard, executed a lot better in all three phases, and, I tell you what, our defense was special tonight.”
Well it all came together for North Texas, it all fell apart for the Herd. The offense sputtered while Marshall’s special teams had one of its worst game in Doc Holliday’s tenure. The Herd allowed North Texas punter Eric Keena to convert a fake punt. That allowed the drive to continue with the Mean Green eventually scoring on an 11-yard pass to Tyler Wilson.
Amareto Curraj missed two field goal attempts at the end of the first half. He missed a 48-yard attempt with 31 seconds to go in the half. Then, North Texas fumbled on the ensuing possession giving Marshall another chance. Curraj got another attempt from 42 yards out but missed that one as well.
“Give North Texas credit, Seth [coach Littrell] has done a great job with that program,” said MU coach Doc Holliday. “But we didn’t play well in any phase. They beat us, just beat us.”
North Texas set the tone early, driving the opening possession of the game 75 yards in 11 plays, capped of with a 4-yard touchdown run by Jeffery Wilson. He finished the night with 188 yards rushing on 26 carries and the lone touchdown run.
Trailing 14-7 at halftime, Marshall tied the game twice in the second half. Keion Davis returned the third quarter kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown in Davis’ career.
Marshall found itself down again, 21-14 after an 11-yard touchdown pass from Mason Fine to Tyler Wilson. The Herd tied the game on the next possession as Chase Litton hit Emanuel Byrd for 27 yards, Michael Clark for 43 and eventually found Ryan Yuracheck in the endzone for a 1-yard touchdown pass.
The tie was short lived. North Texas answered with a quick two-play drive to take a 28-21 lead. North Texas added some insurance with a 31-yard field goal then put the game out of reach with a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown.
North Texas dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 36:07 to Marshall’s 23:53.
Litton finished 20 of 42 for 258 yards. Michael Clark caught eight passes for 122 yards.
The Herd, now 1-4, returns to Joan C. Edwards Stadium for a homecoming match up against FAU.