It’s a battle of programs from Conference USA on the gridiron as a pair of teams in search of a victory meet in the Bluegrass State. The North Texas Mean Green are on the road as they make the trip to face the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Saturday afternoon. North Texas battled to the end but fell 31-27 to UTSA on the road last Saturday in their previous contest. Western Kentucky edged UAB 20-17 at home in their most recent game last Saturday. In the all-time series between the teams, the teams have split eight previous meetings with the Hilltoppers taking each of the last four matchups. That includes a 45-7 romp at home in the most recent matchup back on November 12, 2016.
North Texas had won two straight and had UTSA on the ropes late in the contest before giving up the winning score with 15 seconds to play to cap a wild fourth quarter that saw five lead changes. The Mean Green fell to 4-4 overall on the season and enter this game second in Conference USA with a 3-1 record. Against UTSA, North Texas led 6-0 after the opening quarter, 6-3 at the half and 13-10 after three quarters. Neither team could get a stop in the fourth quarter as the Mean Green trailed 17-13, led 20-17, trailed 24-20 and led 27-24 after taking the lead with 1:38 to play. The defense couldn’t make that last stop as UTSA went 75 yards over seven plays in 1:23 for the winning touchdown. North Texas lost the total yardage battle 495-347, gave up 32 first downs while picking up 13 and was dominated 38:23 to 21:37 in time of possession. Both teams turned the ball over once in the contest.
This season, the Mean Green stand 48th in the nation in passing offense with 261.6 yards per contest and 13th in rushing offense with 222.6 yards per game. North Texas is 30th in the FBS in scoring offense with an average of 35 points a game while they are 121st in scoring defense by giving up 34.5 points a contest. Austin Aune is 125 of 227 passing for 2,017 yards with 20 touchdowns against nine interceptions while adding 25 yards on the ground. Grant Gunnell is four of nine for 75 yards and an interception this season while Stone Earle completed his lone pass for a yard. Ayo Adeyi leads the ground attack with 69 carries for 559 yards plus two scores on the year. Oscar Adaway III (111 carries, 548 yards, five TD), Ikaika Ragsdale (48 carries, 266 yards, two TD) and Isaiah Johnson (40 carries, 176 yards, TD) are capable of doing damage when they get touches as well. Roderic Burns leads the team in receiving with 28 catches for 541 yards plus a score. Ja’Mori Maclin (nine catches, 239 yards, two TD), Jyaire Shorter (15 grabs, 350 yards, six TD), Var’Keyes Gumms (18 receptions, 317 yards, four TD), Jake Roberts (14 catches, 191 yards, two TD), Jordan Smart (10 grabs, 127 yards) and Damon Ward Jr. (12 receptions, 140 yards, TD) have all cracked the 125-yard mark in receiving yards. Ethan Mooney has drilled all 31 extra point attempts and 12 of 13 field goal tries with a long of 49 this year. Chris Cayton is three of four on extra points and hasn’t attempted a field goal this season.