SAN MARCOS, Texas — North Texas found plenty of answers offensively Saturday afternoon. The problem was that Texas State kept finding more.
The Mean Green fell 49-35 to the Bobcats at UFCU Stadium in a high-scoring game that featured 1,170 yards of combined offense and a dramatic exchange of touchdowns throughout the afternoon. Texas State improved to 1-2, while North Texas dropped to 1-2.
UNT quarterback Tayven Jackson turned in the most productive passing performance of his career, completing 43 of 57 attempts for 483 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
The 483 yards surpassed Jackson’s previous career high of 299 and marked the first time a North Texas quarterback had thrown for more than 400 yards since Drew Mestemaker passed for 469 yards against Rice on Nov. 22, 2025.
Jackson’s 43 completions also established a career high and rank second in a single game in North Texas history. His three touchdown passes were another career best.
Despite Jackson’s performance, the Mean Green couldn’t overcome Texas State’s rushing attack.
Torrance Burgess Jr. ran for 214 yards on 25 carries, becoming the first player to rush for at least 200 yards against North Texas since UNLV’s Aidan Robbins ran for 227 yards in 2022. Texas State finished with 337 rushing yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry.
The Bobcats also received three rushing touchdowns from Davian Jackson, who finished with 77 yards on 10 carries. Brad Jackson added 268 passing yards and four touchdown passes.
Texas State jumped out quickly, scoring on its opening possession after driving 75 yards in 10 plays over 4:07. Chris Dawn Jr. capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown reception.
The Bobcats added another touchdown less than two minutes later to take a 14-0 lead.
North Texas answered behind Jahiem White, who scored on a 1-yard run to get the Mean Green on the board. UNT then rallied in the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns to turn a 21-7 deficit into a 28-28 halftime tie.
Kyle Koch caught his first touchdown pass of the season on his first reception of the year, while Brendon Haygood scored on a 2-yard run after a 93-yard North Texas drive.
Corri Milliner’s 5-yard touchdown reception with 47 seconds remaining in the first half completed the comeback.
But Texas State regained control in the second half.
Davian Jackson’s second rushing touchdown of the afternoon put the Bobcats ahead 35-28 in the third quarter. He later caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 42-28 early in the fourth.
North Texas refused to go quietly.
Jackson connected with White for an 18-yard touchdown with 5:24 remaining, cutting the deficit to 42-35.
The Mean Green needed a defensive stop to get the ball back.
Instead, Davian Jackson broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown run with 3:07 remaining, putting the game out of reach.
North Texas finished with 565 total yards, including 483 through the air, but managed only 82 rushing yards. Texas State totaled 605 yards, with its ground game accounting for more than half of its production.
Justin Stevenson emerged as Jackson’s leading target, establishing career highs with 10 receptions and 122 yards. He became North Texas’ first 100-yard receiver of the season.
Corri Milliner added seven catches, while Jahiem White caught seven passes for 56 yards and scored twice — once rushing and once receiving.
The receiving production was spread throughout the UNT offense. Five Mean Green players recorded at least five receptions, while nine players caught at least one pass.
For all the offensive production, North Texas couldn’t match Texas State’s efficiency on the ground.
The Bobcats controlled the line of scrimmage, converting their opportunities and keeping the Mean Green from turning Jackson’s record-setting afternoon into a road victory.
North Texas returns home next week looking to regroup after its second loss in three games.
