Turnovers help North Texas thrash SMU 43-6

If it’s true that there is no better medicine than a good experience for an inexperienced team faced with anxiety and doubt, then North Texas took a big step Saturday.

The Mean Green, demoralized a week ago after everything went wrong in a season-opening loss at Texas, overwhelmed SMU and, most importantly, did it their way.

North Texas forced five SMU turnovers and controlled the game by winning the lines of scrimmage and pounding the Mustangs for 245 rushing yards in a 43-6 victory in the team’s home opener at Apogee Stadium.

“We needed to win,” said senior linebacker and captain Derek Akunne, who contributed to one turnover with a big hit on a pass breakup that defensive tackle Dutton Watson collected for an interception.

“We needed to win for our fans and the team. And we needed the confidence.”

The last of 27 points the Mean Green scored off turnovers came on running back Antoinne Jimmerson’s 8-yard touchdown run. Darvin Kidsy produced the turnover by recovering an SMU fumble on a punt return.

Running back Reggie Pegram led the Mean Green’s rushing attack with 83 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown, one of three rushing scores. Erick Evans had a 53-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“That’s Mean Green football,” coach Dan McCarney said. “One of the marks of this program, when darkest times hit, we seem to respond and be at our best.

“It’s a real mark of the character of this program, and I think that’s what happened today.”

SMU struggled badly a week after being blown out by No. 10 Baylor.

The Mustangs were 1 for 11 on third down and reached the red zone only once, the first time in two games they’ve been inside the 20-yard line. SMU wide receiver Nate Halverson hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Kolney Cassel on the last play of the game.

North Texas intercepted SMU quarterback Neal Burcham twice.

“We’re taking a lot of steps toward being a great defense again this year,” Akunne said. “We need to continue to improve, but I think we’re taking the steps.”

Against Texas, the Mean Green totaled only 94 yards in a 38-7 loss, but the offense, led by quarterback Josh Greer, was much more effective against SMU.

Greer, one of eight first-time starters on the roster, was 9 for 12 passing for 86 yards as North Texas had 353 yards of total offense and no turnovers.

Freshman kicker Trevor Moore bailed out stalled drives in the red zone with five field goals, two shy of tying the NCAA FBS record. He hit on attempts of 44, 21, 23, 42 and 47 yards.

“Take care of the football, make good decisions, lead and when you get an opportunity, make some plays,” McCarney said of his expectations for Greer, a sophomore transfer from Navarro College. “He doesn’t need to think the weight of the world is on his shoulders.”

North Texas scored 17 points off turnovers in the second quarter.

Watson’s interception gave North Texas possession at SMU’s 38, kick-starting a five-play drive capped by Pegram’s 4-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing drive after Moore’s second field goal, defensive lineman Jarrian Roberts recovered a fumble forced by Chad Polk’s jarring hit of Burcham and returned it 31 yards for a 20-0 lead.

Lairamie Lee’s interception led to Moore’s third field goal.

“We had a great week of practice,” Pegram said. “It’s probably one of the best weeks we’ve had since I’ve been here.

“It was good to get over that hump. Now we have to keep going.”

This story was originally published September 6, 2014 at 5:48 PM.