Mean Green Utilizes Field Position to Land Second Half Comeback

[Harry]

DENTON, Texas – Derek Thompson threw a 78-yard touchdown on a screen pass to Antoinne Jimmerman with 1:54 remaining to break a 23-all tie and give North Texas a come-from-behind win over Louisiana, 30-23, in front of a crowd of 17,055 Tuesday night in a live nationally broadcast game on ESPN2 at Apogee Stadium on the North Texas campus.

The loss snapped UL’s win streak at two games and put the Ragin’ Cajuns at 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Sun Belt play. UNT improved to 3-4, 2-1.

All looked good for the Cajuns after they stretched the lead to 20-6 just three minutes into the second half.

But the North Texas offense, which totaled 242 yards and 524 yards of total offense, wore down the Cajuns defense. UL had entered the game ranked second in the Sun Belt and 19^th nationally allowing 107.2 yards rushing per game including just 60 yards or less in all four wins.

“I am terribly disappointed because I feel like we let one get away,” UL head coach Mark Hudspeth said. “We did everything we were supposed to do in the first half and then something just got away from us. We didn’t make any plays defensively and didn’t take advantage of field position.”

Trailing 23-20 late in the game, the Cajuns came to life. After Brett Baer’s punt pinned the Mean Green back inside the one and led to a three-and-out series, UL was able to generate enough offense for Baer to tie the game with a 47-yard field goal with 3:01 left.

With the Mean Green facing a third-and-eight from their own 22, Thompson found Jimmerson on a short screen pass on the right side. Jimmerson burst through a hole and broke a couple of tackles on the way to the go-ahead touchdown.

“We had them pinned back and needed just one stop to get off the field and give the ball back to our offense,” Hudspeth said. “But we let them break a big play and take the lead.”

The Cajuns had a chance to rally. However, on the first play from scrimmage following the kickoff, Terrance Broadway completed a seven-yard pass to Effrem Reed over the middle that was fumbled and Marcus Trice recovered for UNT to effectively end the game.

“We needed to make some plays when we had the opportunity and we didn’t,” Hudspeth lamented. “Our goals are still intact. We need to just head back to Lafayette, practice hard and get ready for Arkansas State next week.”

The Cajuns played the game without starting running back Alonzo Harris, who was ill all week and was unable to practice. In addition, starting receivers Harry Peoples (shoulder) and Javone Lawson (wrist) each missed good portions of the game due to injury.

“We knew coming into the game that this was going to be a physical game, so injuries are no excuse,” Hudspeth admitted. “They are a good football team whose record is deceptive. They played two teams in the top 10 in the nation this year which goes to show you the level that they are capable of playing.”

Read more: http://www.ragincajuns.com/news/2012/10/17/FB_1017125900.aspx