North Texas Running Backs Power 52-23 Win Over Rice
Jahiem White rushed for 192 yards and three scores as the Mean Green secured a first-place lead in the American Conference.
By Jack Weber ·
North Texas defeated Rice 52-23 on Saturday, extending its winning streak to six games and securing sole possession of first place in the American Conference. The victory improved the Mean Green's record to 7-2 overall and 5-0 in conference play. They now lead UTSA and Memphis, both of whom are 4-1 in the league.
Rice enters the season with the fourth-best rushing attack in the country, averaging 271.5 yards per game. UNT head coach Neal Brown noted that he studied the Owls' offensive line after seeing them play teams that had faced North Texas earlier in the season. Brown said his staff used Rice's line as a model for his own players, citing their aggressive and fundamentally sound play.
The Mean Green struggled offensively in the first half, leading 10-7 at the break. They found their rhythm in the second half, finishing the game with 192 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Running back Jahiem White was the primary force, rushing for 192 yards and scoring three touchdowns.
Left tackle Johnny Williams IV said the offensive line still has work to do despite the win. He described the position as a daily grind and noted the team is focused on improving technique, game footwork, and pass protection each week. Williams added that blocking for White requires precision so the running back can exploit openings.
On defense, UNT limited Rice to 261 rushing yards, which was more than 10 yards below their season average. The Owls did gain explosive plays on eight carries of at least 50 yards. D'Andre Hardeman Jr. broke off a 56-yard run, but the Mean Green defensive line contained the rest of the attack.
Defensive end Davion Rhodes attributed the unit's performance to consistent effort away from the spotlight. He said the collective work in the trenches allowed the defensive line to control the line of scrimmage. Rhodes emphasized that the group handles the physical demands of the position together.
North Texas returns to play at UTSA on Saturday. The Roadrunners feature three productive running backs: Will Henderson III with 682 yards, A'Marion Peterson with 431 yards, and Brandon High with 309 yards. UNT has not won at the Alamodome since 2018, though it beat UTSA 55-17 last season with 270 rushing yards and four sacks.
The College Football Playoff also finalized a 24-team field expansion for next season. The regular season will run from the week before Labor Day through Thanksgiving. American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti stated that the expansion provides important progress and greater access for member programs. UNT missed the field last year after losing the conference title game to Tulane.
