The Mean Green won the biggest game of its season; now they have to do it again

Skipper · November 20, 2016

With under 10 minutes remaining in a 23-20 game that his team was trailing, graduate student Alec Morris led the North Texas offense back out onto the Apogee Stadium turf on senior day.

The Mean Green knew what needed to happen – they needed to take the lead.

With their season and bowl hopes hanging in the balance, North Texas knew what was at stake, just like Morris knew it would be one of the last times he would quarterback a football team at home.

And in front of his friends, family and fans of just one season, Morris strung together three quick completions to get the Mean Green moving.

The rust of a 1-for-6 start to the second half had been shaken off.

“We weren’t doing very well and everyone knew that,” Morris said. “That’s not something you think about. Going out every single drive you have to think this is the drive where we’re going to move down the field. With that mentality, it all came together and clicked.”

As Morris found his rhthym, so did the North Texas offense.

A few plays later, junior running back Willy Ivery shook off defenders and scampered 11 yards past the entire Southern Miss defense and found pay dirt to bookend the game-winning drive.

North Texas re-took the lead on its home field in the final game for its seniors.

“We knew what was at stake,” Morris said. “We had to have that win, and I think everyone knew the gravity of the situation. I would be lying if I said it didn’t feel good.”