North Texas Football: Mean Green comeback falls short vs. UAB

UAB and North Texas football are both in the midst of great seasons, but something had to give in Week 8 with control of CUSA West on the line.

Heading into only the third meeting between these two teams, North Texas and UAB stood atop the Conference USA with only one loss each. Quarterback Mason Fine has been spectacular for the Mean Green this season, but the Blazers unpredictable defense came to play at home, especially in the second half.

Despite the propensity for a high-scoring affair, things got off to a fairly slow start following three punts on the first three possessions of the game. North Texas would finally break things open midway through the first quarter when Fine connected with Rico Bussey Jr. for a 55-yard touchdown pass.

The Blazers would cut North Texas’ lead to four before trading touchdowns, pushing the score to 14-10. However, the Mean Green would take a commanding 11 point lead into halftime following another Fine touchdown pass, this time to wide receiver Jaelon Darden.

North Texas would get the ball to start the second half, but ended up giving the Blazers good starting field position after a failed fourth down conversion near midfield. UAB would turn this field position into a positive drive, but ended up coughing up the football near the goal line, giving Fine and the North Texas offense the ball deep in their own territory.

To cap off what was an exhilarating third quarter, UAB’s Garrett Marino was able to force a safety via an intentional grounding call on Fine. The Blazers would turn the safety into seven more points, trimming North Texas’ lead to two.

After a Spencer Brown touchdown and a field goal late in the fourth, Fine was tasked with leading a North Texas comeback late in the fourth quarter. However, a promising drive deep into UAB territory was one yard too short, sending UAB to 6-1 while dropping the Mean Green to 2-2 in C-USA play.