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On a day of surprises here and there, there were none in this game as Western Kentucky squashed North Texas like a practice squad, 45-7.
Hilltopper QB Mike White outgained the Mean Green by himself, throwing for 329 yards and four touchdowns. The Tops rushed for another 214 yards and pretty much had the game locked up by the end of the first quarter.
UNT clearly expected this result coming in as Jeffery Wilson was ruled out for the game. Starting quarterback Mason Fine left the game early, giving senior quarterback Alec Morris the reins. Morris hadn’t seen significant playing time since week one against SMU. Morris was 14/26 with 108 yards, an interception, and a lost fumble.
The lone highlight for North Texas, other than being smart enough to know when they were outmatched, was junior RB Andrew Tucker. Not a standout name this season, he finished the game with 82 yards on three carries, and scored NT’s lone touchdown toward the end of the 3rd quarter.
At 4-6 (2-4), a bowl game is unlikely for North Texas, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of after the strides they’ve made from last season. Next week sees them hosting a flailing Southern Miss, who managed to lose to Old Dominion today.
Western Kentucky, meanwhile, stands at 8-3 (6-1) and is all but done with their regular season, enjoying a bye week next week before travelling to Marshall (3-7) in the regular season finale for both teams.