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Thomas' 3 TDs lead UNT

10:22 PM CST on Saturday, November 24, 2007

By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle

bvito@dentonrc.com

DENTON – Jamario Thomas bid farewell to North Texas fans before the Mean Green's final home game of the season Saturday night at Fouts Field.

Then he went out and reminded them of why he will go down as one of the Mean Green's all-time greats. Thomas rushed for 147 yards, and he scored three touchdowns in the second half, when UNT rallied from a 13-point deficit for a 27-26 win over Western Kentucky.

More: UNT | Colleges

Thomas scored the winning TD on a 42-yard run midway through the fourth quarter in front of a crowd of 5,027. WKU (7-5) drove to the North Texas 21-yard line with 1:01 left, but Chris James was short on a 38-yard field goal attempt following a high snap.

"It means the world to me, because it was my last home game," Thomas said of the win. "This is one of my best games."

Thomas' performance helped the Mean Green (2-9) snap a four-game losing streak that included several heartbreaking losses. Arkansas State beat the Mean Green in its last game on a touchdown pass with two seconds left.

"Today we celebrated and really let it out," UNT coach Todd Dodge said. "When you are a competitor, you need to enjoy wins as much as the losses rip your heart out."

UNT appeared as if it was on its way to another disappointing loss before Thomas took over in the second half after WKU had taken a 20-7 lead.

The Mean Green had gained 181 yards in the first half, having driven into WKU territory six times without scoring.

UNT changed its fortunes when it put the game on Thomas' shoulders. The senior had just 31 yards on eight carries in the first half.

"Jamario is not much of a talker," UNT senior defensive end Jeremiah Chapman said. "But we knew he would come out tonight and do what he has always done for us."

Thomas burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2004 and won the national rushing title with an average of 180.1 yards a game before a hamstring injury slowed him down. He totaled 1,801 yards in 10 games that season.

But Thomas' production had dropped off considerably heading into Saturday's game. He had rushed for 1,500 yards over the last three seasons.

Thomas, who moved into second place on the Mean Green's career rushing list this season and now has 3,448 yards, showed the form he displayed early in his career against WKU. He scored on runs of eight and 30 yards before UNT took over at its 24-yard line with 9:44 remaining and the Hilltoppers ahead, 26-21. He rushed for 24 yards on three carries before breaking free for his third touchdown.

UNT had to suffer through a few nervous moments when WKU drove deep into Mean Green territory before James missed his field goal and allowed Thomas and UNT to celebrate.

"People who follow the Mean Green know what a great back he is," Dodge said. "He's a great running back, but he is a better person. I am really proud of him."

Briefly: Thomas was one of 17 seniors who played the final home game of their careers. ... UNT's Giovanni Vizza threw for 202 yards and has 2,135 yards on the season, the seventh 2,000-yard passing season in school history. ... UNT broke the school record for passing yards in a season. The Mean Green has 3,223 yards on the season. ... UNT and WKU players confronted each other at midfield after what Dodge and the Mean Green's players called a highly emotional game.

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