Thomas caps off his big night with TD

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Thomas caps off his big night with TD

09:51 AM CDT on Sunday, September 10, 2006

By Brett Vito

Staff Writer

Running back Jamario Thomas produced one of his most important performances on Saturday night, even if it wasn’t one of his biggest in terms of yards.

Thomas finished with 90 yards rushing and a touchdown in a 24-6 win over SMU at Fouts Field after pounding away at the middle of the Mustangs’ defense until it softened late in the game.

“Tonight is one of the nights I was most proud of Jamario,” UNT head coach Darrell Dickey said. “Two years ago it was easy when he was running for 200 yards through huge holes. Tonight he was getting stuffed and never once got down on himself or the line. He kept running hard and started making runs that showed his old self.”

Thomas had just seven carries for nine yards at halftime before breaking out in the second half when he scored on a 5-yard run for his first touchdown since a game against Idaho in the 2004 season against Idaho.

Thomas had gone 14 games without scoring, a drought UNT offensive coordinator Ramon Flanigan had been teasing him about in practice.

“As we ran the ball, we got stronger and stronger throughout the game,” Thomas said. “It felt good to get back in the end zone.”

UNT’s Quinn extends streak UNT wide receiver Johnny Quinn extended his streak with at least one catch to 38 in the Mean Green’s game against SMU.

Quinn came into the week with the second longest streak in the nation behind Steve Odom of Toledo, who had a 38-game streak heading into the week.

Quinn has kept his streak alive despite breaking his left hand in preseason practice. The senior has worn a cast in each of the Mean Green’s first two games.

Briefly … The touchdown that running back Evan Robertson scored on a blocked punt was UNT’s first in the first quarter in 13 games. … Linebacker Germaine Dawson posted the first sack of his career in the second quarter. … UNT held SMU scoreless in the first half. It was UNT’s first opening-half shutout since a game against Arkansas State in 2004.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 9940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.