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Having had plenty of experience with hardship over the years, North Texas looked adversity in the eye on Wednesday afternoon and swatted it and UNLV aside. The Mean Green (9-4) of North Texas overcame a sluggish start but in the end celebrated its new age on New Year's Day with a new slogan: bowl champions. Game MVP Derek Thompson passed for 256 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-30 passing, Brelan Chancellor scored two touchdowns rushing and North Texas' defense allowed only 70 yards in the second half of a 36-14 victory over UNLV (7-6) on Wednesdayat the Cotton Bowl. UNT outscored the worn-out Rebels 29-7 in dominating the second half of the second bowl victory in school history. "I dreamed of the day when I took this job that these seniors could go and win a bowl game," said UNT coach Dan McCarney, who in three seasons has turned around a program ranked near the bottom of FBS. "They are unbelievable examples of how you play the game and how you win a football game. "I think this is a program that's clearly on the rise." On Wednesday, they had to overcome bad penalties and two dropped would-be interceptions in the first half with a determined effort in the second half, starting with the defense forcing a three-and-out on the opening possession of the third quarter. Thompson then threw his first touchdown pass, to Drew Miller from 7 yards, to cap a 12-yard drive that gave UNT its first lead and an opening. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/01/01/4724881/north-texas-puts-heart-into-bowl.html#storylink=cpy