Top Moments From 2017 - Holding Off UAB

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As fall camp approaches, with players reporting on Thursday, August 2, MeanGreenSports.com takes a look back at some of the biggest moments from the 2017 season. MeanGreenSports.com relives each of these key moments from the nine-win season last year. We conclude our series with the win over UAB, which ended up being a major turning point in the Mean Green’s season.

Entering Conference USA play, North Texas was coming off two consecutive road losses and the Mean Green were desperate for a win. Losses at SMU and Iowa put North Texas in a 1-2 hole to start the year, and on paper, figured to have a strong probability of beating the Blazers, who brought their program back after a two-year hiatus. In the early-going, that certainly appeared to be the case, as North Texas jumped out to a 30-14 halftime lead. UAB, however, never went away. North Texas eventually held off the UAB rally and Trevor Moore kicked a game-winning field goal with seven seconds left to seal the victory.

This game was the first in which the Mean Green offense flexed its muscle over the course of a full 60 minutes against an FBS opponent, putting 46 points on the board. Yes, the Mean Green had dominated its season-opener with FCS foe Lamar to the tune of 59-14, and had a strong second half at SMU, but this was the true arrival of the potent attack. Balance was the key, as they rolled up 548 yards of total offense (287 on the ground and 261 through the air).

Trailing 7-3 early, Jalen Guyton turned in one of the biggest highlights of the season, hauling in a very difficult catch along the home sideline over UAB corner Darious Williams (now with the Baltimore Ravens). The catch was a highlight on its, own, but the work Guyton put in to find the end zone made it that much more special. It was the ultimate competitive play for the newcomer to Denton.

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