Jaden Allen supplied the most visible reward for a North Texas defense that had stopped giving Houston Christian points. On the first play of the fourth quarter, the North Texas cornerback picked off Reilly Garcia at the Huskies’ 34-yard line and went the distance, turning a 49-14 game into a 56-14 one with a 34-yard return.
North Texas went on to beat Houston Christian 63-14 at DATCU Stadium in Denton on Saturday. The scoring margin hid an uncomfortable first half. Before Allen’s return, the Mean Green had needed to recover from two Houston Christian touchdown drives that brought the teams level at 14.
Houston Christian’s first scoring possession was a legitimate march: 75 yards in 10 plays. The Huskies converted a third-and-11 from their own 41, then reached the goal line on a 2-yard pass from Cutter Stewart to Jett Runion. North Texas then punted, giving Houston Christian another chance.
The second touchdown drive covered 80 yards in seven plays. Maddox Kopp, who had taken over at quarterback, ran for 26 yards and finished the possession himself with 11:58 left in the second quarter.
That made the score 14-14 and gave the visitors a moment of genuine traction against a North Texas defense that had already allowed a long drive and a 49-yard completion on the earlier march.
Then the possessions changed character.
After White’s third rushing touchdown put North Texas back ahead, Keshawn Davila intercepted Kopp on Houston Christian’s second play. The return reached the Mean Green 39, and three snaps later Chris Jimerson Jr. hit Justin Stevenson for a 41-yard touchdown. Davila’s interception did not supply the points directly, but it converted a defensive play into a short, efficient scoring opportunity.
Houston Christian’s next series lasted three plays and lost 4 yards before ending in a punt. The Huskies then received an unwelcome gift when Lathon Latiolais fumbled a punt, giving them the ball at the North Texas 32. A short field and a 14-point deficit usually make a very persuasive sales pitch for a touchdown. Houston Christian still came away empty.
The Huskies reached the North Texas 4, but Zakye Barker and Cross combined for a sack on fourth-and-2. That stop was more meaningful than the final margin makes it appear. North Texas led 28-14 at the time; a touchdown would have reopened the game before halftime. Instead, the Mean Green took over on downs.
Houston Christian reached the North Texas 47 on its next possession with 1:09 remaining in the half. North Texas denied another fourth down, stopping the Huskies on fourth-and-3. Two threatening possessions had produced no points, and North Texas responded to both without needing an offensive rescue act.
