UT Football rolls past North Texas, 38-7 (Box Score)

[Harry]

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas' defense picked off four passes and allowed just 94 yards of total offense and the No. NR/24 Longhorns picked up their 15th-consecutive season-opening win to open the Charlie Strong era in style with a dominant 38-7 victory over North Texas Saturday night at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Wide receiver John Harris set career-highs with seven receptions and 110 yards, and Texas used a balanced offensive attack to control throughout. Quarterback David Ash was 19-of-34 for 190 yards and a TD, while running backs Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown (two TD's) contributed 84 and 65 rushing yards, respectively.

The Longhorn defense registered a touchdown via an interception return by linebacker Demarco Cobbs, tallied seven tackles for loss and sacked UNT quarterback Josh Greer four times while allowing just 40 yards in the first three quarters.

From the start, North Texas' offense was going nowhere against a stout Longhorn defense, as the Mean Green's first six plays failed to gain a single yard. On the sixth play a tipped ball over the middle was intercepted by UT defensive back Dylan Haines at the UNT 39. The Lago Vista, Texas, returned the pick 21 yards, granting the Longhorns outstanding field position at the 18. Unfortunately for Texas, the Mean Green defense held firm and Nick Rose missed a 38-yard try wide right.

With its defense having posted three consecutive three-and-outs, Texas nabbed a 7-0 lead with 4:06 left in the first quarter as Brown finished off a nine-play, 63-yard drive with a one-yard plunge. The key play proved to be a third down, 27-yard completion down the right sideline to the UNT 12 from Ash to Harris. UT's offense outgained the Mean Green 103-15 in total yards during the opening stanza.

Read more: http://texassports.com/news/2014/8/30/FB_0830140019.aspx