The Blue Raider defense was dominant in the win at North Texas.
The Blue Raiders traveled to Denton, Texas, to play conference foe North Texas on Saturday Oct. 1. Though all signs pointed to a shootout leading up to the game, the actual contest played out differently.
While the Blue Raider offense is usually the most dominant aspect of the game for MT, it was the defense that stole the show. However, it didn’t start out that way.
The Mean Green received the opening kickoff and displayed textbook ball-control offense right off the bat. Utilizing the short and intermediate passing game, true freshman quarterback Mason Fine drove the North Texas offense 87 yards in 17 plays while eating 7 minutes and 21 seconds off of the game clock. But UNT’s offensive success was short-lived.
The MT defense completely shut down the UNT offense on their only other possession of the first quarter, allowing only two yards in the three-and-out series. The Blue Raiders defense allowed only 47 total yards from the second quarter through the third.
Although the defense allowed Fine to pass for 300 yards, they did apply plenty of pressure. MT reached the quarterback for a sack four times, and also broke up eight pass attempts.
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment for the Blue Raiders was the run defense. Having allowed an average of 217 yards on the ground over their previous three games, MT allowed only 5 yards rushing against North Texas.
While the defense was dominant, the offense was not silent. Though the Blue Raiders struggled to get in a rhythm early, they started developing one late in the first quarter. Brent Stockstill found Dennis Andrews for MT’s first touchdown late in the second quarter to go ahead 13–7. The offense was most impressive on a 12-play drive of 91 yards that put MT ahead 20–7 in the third quarter.
With the Blue Raiders leading 23–7 late in the fourth quarter, Fine threw his first touchdown pass of the game to get the Mean Green within 10 points. However, I’Tavius Mathers broke off a huge 46-yard touchdown run to put the game away.
I’Tavius Mathers
Two offensive trends continued for the Blue Raiders. Brent Stockstill hit Dennis Andrews for a touchdown late in the first half. It marked the 11th straight game in which Stockstill has thrown a touchdown pass. Also, after struggling to find daylight in the first half, I’Tavius Mathers busted out in the second half to finish the game with 135 rushing yards. It is the third consecutive game in which Mathers has eclipsed 100 yards.
After a week of rest, the Blue Raiders will return Oct. 15 for Homecoming against bitter rival WKU.
