Box Score
Logan, Utah (10/9/04) Freshman Jamario Thomas set the North Texas single-game rushing record with 256 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Mean Green’s 31-23 victory against Utah State on Saturday night at Romney Stadium.
North Texas (2-4, 2-0) extended its conference winning streak to 20 games, which is tied with Boise State as the longest conference winning streak in the nation. The Mean Green also secured its first-ever victory in Logan and now trails the series with Utah State, 4-3.
Thomas' 256 yards in the game increased his season total to 739, which is already the most rushing yards ever by a freshman at North Texas and ranks as the 20th-best single-season rushing performance in school history.
The Mean Green defense had four interceptions against Utah State which is two more than the Mean Green had in the first five games combined. Cornerback T.J. Covington returned a fumble 100 yards for a touchdown, which is the longest fumble return in North Texas history. The touchdown by Covington in the third quarter halted a potential scoring drive by the Aggies and extended the North Texas lead, 31-20.
Scott Hall threw a two-yard touchdown to Andy Blount midway through the third quarter giving North Texas its first lead of the game, 24-20, and its first points in the third quarter this season. It was Hall's fourth straight game with a touchdown pass and Blount's first touchdown of the season.
The touchdown pass was set up by a 42-yard run by Thomas, which put him over the 200-yard rushing mark in the game. Freshman Derek Mendoza put North Texas in great field position after intercepting the first pass of his career and rushing 20 yards into Utah State territory.
North Texas was down 13-3 in the second quarter before two Mean Green drives resulted in two rushing touchdowns by Thomas. The second touchdown, a 27-yard run, put NT within three, 20-17 at halftime.
The Mean Green returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 23 when it faces New Mexico State on Homecoming Weekend in Denton at 6 p.m.
