#82 North Texas

Denton, TX

DATCU Stadium

October 10, 2025

South Florida 63 - North Texas 36 (ESPN Recap)

Took a Friday afternoon flight to Dallas to kick off 3 FBS games and stadiums in 24-hours in TX and OH. North Texas cancelled their classes for Friday four days earlier and requested a black-out of the stands. Greek life showed up big for tailgate and this game ended up being the first sellout in UNT history. Going into the game, pundits were calling this the Group of 5 “Game of The Year” with both teams having double digit percentage chances to reach the CFP field of 12.

UNT came into the game 6-0 and USF 5-1 with a win over UF and their only loss to a dominant Miami team. The total was set for a high 66.5, and I took the over.

I was set to land in Dallas 3 hours before kickoff, but my flight was over 2 hours delayed, so with deplaning, rental car time, and drive/park time, I walked into the stadium right as the game started. Hopefully, my flight karma is better tomorrow getting to Cleveland since I have no room for error.

There were three turnovers in Q1 including this interception, but also three offensive TDs which was a good start for the O66.5.

Wyatt Young, Sophomore utility WR who wears #10, scored an 11-yard rushing TD from Wildcat formation on a 4th and 1 RPO keeper in Q2 which set the stadium going crazy. His parents were sitting across the stairwell from me and went absolutely nuts (I only caught the tail end of the celebration).

Then he played gunner on ST punt coverage, making a tackle. Later that night, he caught an amazing 4th and 12 ball over the middle in early Q4 but was hurt on the play. Pads off. Night done. Didn’t look serious. Tough kid. His dad was pacing nervously while Wyatt was in the injury tent. Gotta be tough being football player’s dad.

UNT screwed up a pretty nice 1H by muffing a punt with less than a minute left before halftime. It directly bounced off the return man’s shoulder. South Florida scored a TD to tie it up at 21-21 with 5 seconds left (also good for over).

Very random 3-4 minute fire works show at halftime. No clue what they were celebrating.

South Florida scored 21 quick points in 2.5 mins to start 2H via a 1:09 minute opening drive TD, an INT and 24-second 2-play TD drive, a scoop and score defensive TD less than a minute later, and then a 5-play 86 yard drive in a minute after a 1-minute possession for UNT. 21 points in 4.5 minutes of Q3 and 28 point going back to the last 5 seconds of 1H. to double up the score at 42-21.

The over hit with 9:35 left Q3 at 70 and got to 77 with 8:14 left Q3. I don’t think I’ve ever seen 35 points scored in first 6:46 of any half. Final score was a nice palindrome of 63-36 ass kicking.

Q4 stands cleared and probably gave me a taste of a random regular UNT game of the past. Though the Athletic Director was hype after the game and really likes to bold and capitalize words after losing by 27 points.

Loud band though. Which was great for #Public Killers

Did the mascot of the UNT Mean Green get named after their most famous alum: Mean Joe Greene? If not? That’s one hell of a coincidence. 

10 min countdown clock to get on field after game is way too long. Needs to be 3-4 mins as it was ghost town on the field by the end of 10-minutes.

I’ll be getting some rental car and toll letters in the mail with the late fees plus administrative penalties…cost of chasing stadiums.

Really early wakeup tomorrow to get from Dallas to Cleveland, lose an hour on time zones, and see Akron/Miami OH noon kickoff and Kent St/UMass double header!