On Saturday, North Texas pulled off an upset as they ended UTSA’s historic perfect season in a 45-23 rout.
UTSA entered the game with an 11- 0 record and ranked 15th in the AP rankings. North Texas entered the game at 5-6 and amid a four-game win streak after starting the season 1-6.
With the win, North Texas gets only their second-ever win over a ranked opponent in school history and clinch eligibility to a bowl game.
The Mean Green are now 2-47 all-time against Top 25 teams. The only other victory over a ranked opponent came on November 2, 1974, when they defeated No. 20 San Diego State 14-9.
The win underscores a big turnaround for North Texas head coach Seth Littrell whose job security was in question following the poor start to the season. Now, the Mean Green will get a chance to win only their third bowl game in school history.
This season was still historic for UTSA. They had never opened a season with more than five consecutive wins, and they will host the Conference USA championship game against Western Kentucky this Friday night.
The difference in the matchup was North Texas’ run game. The Mean Green entered the game with Conference USA’s top-ranked rushing offense and overpowered the UTSA defense.
Running backs DeAndre Torrey and Ikaika Ragsdale combined for five touchdowns in the blowout. Entering the game, UTSA had only allowed six rushing touchdowns all season.
Torrey finished with 108 rushing yards and three touchdowns, Ragsdale, a redshirt freshman, had a career-high 146 yards and two touchdowns.
Overall, North Texas gained 340 yards rushing, a season-high allowed by the UTSA defense that entered the game with the nation’s tenth-ranked rushing defense.
Turnovers were also a huge factor due to the cold, rainy weather in Denton during the game. UTSA made three costly fumbles in the game, including a fumble on a kickoff following a North Texas field goal on the game’s opening drive.
North Texas converted the fumble into a touchdown to take a quick 10-0 lead.
North Texas never trailed in the game after taking that early lead. UTSA briefly made it close in the second quarter. Roadrunners’ quarterback Frank Harris scored on a long 69-yard run to reduce their deficit to 17-13, but North Texas responded with 28 consecutive points following that score to take the victory.
North Texas’ defense also contributed to the dominant win. The Mean Green sacked UTSA quarterbacks five times and caused several other pressured throws.
North Texas will find out where and who it will play in its bowl game this weekend.