TULSA, Okla. — North Texas found a way to escape Tulsa with a win Thursday night, but it took an overtime stand and a little bit of late-game drama.
The Mean Green defeated the Golden Hurricane 45-44 in overtime in a back-and-forth American Athletic Conference opener that featured multiple momentum swings and a decisive two-point try in the extra period.
North Texas built a 14-point lead in the second half, only to watch Tulsa erase the deficit and force overtime. Tulsa tied the game at 38 on Baylor Hayes’ 10-yard touchdown run with 31 seconds remaining in regulation.
That set up an overtime finish.
North Texas wasted little time taking control. Tayven Jackson opened the extra period with a 22-yard completion to Grayson O’Bara before scoring himself on a 1-yard touchdown run. The Mean Green added the extra point to move ahead 45-38.
Tulsa answered.
Damari Alston scored on a 2-yard run to pull the Golden Hurricane within one. Tulsa then elected to go for the win rather than kick the extra point and extend the game.
The attempt failed.
Oran Singleton Jr. reached toward the goal line but was ruled short. After a replay review, the call stood, sending North Texas back to Denton with a dramatic conference victory.
Jackson finished with 332 passing yards and four touchdowns, completing 24 of 39 attempts. He also provided the winning score on the ground.
North Texas’ running game was powered by Jahiem White, who rushed 32 times for 219 yards and a touchdown. His 84-yard touchdown run in the third quarter provided one of the game’s biggest momentum-changing plays.
Max Reese added five receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown, while Justin Stevenson caught two touchdown passes.
Tulsa’s Hayes kept his team in the game after returning from a two-game absence. He accounted for five touchdowns, including three passing scores and two rushing touchdowns.
Despite Tulsa’s comeback, North Texas finished with 559 total yards, 207 more than the Golden Hurricane.
The victory gives the Mean Green a 3-2 record overall and a 1-0 mark in AAC play.
For North Texas, it was far from a comfortable night. But when the game came down to one final defensive stand, the Mean Green made the play that mattered most.
