UNT Roughed up by ASU 37-14

Harry · October 31, 2011

JONESBORO, Ark — Derek Thompson came into North Texas’ game against Arkansas State on Saturday night hoping to build on the finest performance of his career.

North Texas running back James Hamilton stiff-arms Arkansas State’s Don Jones during the first half Saturday in Jonesboro, Ark. Arkansas State won, 37-14, as UNT lost key players to injury.

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That opportunity — not to mention UNT’s chance to pick up consecutive wins for the first time since 2004 — vanished in a flash in the Mean Green’s 37-14 loss to the Red Wolves at ASU Stadium.

ASU defensive end Justin Robertson leveled Thompson with a vicious hit on the Mean Green’s second play from scrimmage, knocking UNT’s starting quarterback out for the night with a concussion.

The Mean Green struggled to get anything going without Thompson and had no chance to keep pace with the Sun Belt Conference’s top team.

ASU scored on five of its first six possessions, led 31-0 at halftime and coasted to its fifth straight win while spoiling UNT’s opportunity to build on a modest run that included three wins in five games.

“It was about as poor a half as we have played in the first half,” UNT head coach Dan McCarney said. “All I wanted to see after that was the grit and resolve and character of the team no matter what happened on the scoreboard. I think our kids showed that.”