Football

JONESBORO (10/21/06) – Arkansas State scored three touchdowns in the second half to surge past the North Texas football team, 29-10, on Saturday night at Indian Stadium.

The Mean Green (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) held leads of 3-0 and 10-7 in the first half, but Arkansas State (5-2, 3-0) responded each time and then pulled ahead in the second half. The Indians tied the all-time series at 8-8 with the victory.

North Texas had trouble containing ASU freshman running back Reggie Arnold and quarterback Corey Leonard. Arnold had three rushing touchdowns in the second half and totaled 121 yards. He became the first running back to rush for over 100 yards against the Mean Green defense this season.  The previous-best rushing performance against North Texas this year was 96 by Julian Reams of Florida International  Leonard went 11-for-19 passing and threw for 187 yards. He also ran for 77 yards.

Junior Jamario Thomas ran for 119 yards on 21 carries in the game, including 81 in the first half. Sophomore quarterback Daniel Meager made his first start of the season and went 11-for-16 in the air for 103 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and also turned over the ball with an interception in the third quarter.

With the score tied 10-10 at the half, the third quarter proved to be the determining factor of the game. The Mean Green only had two possessions in the third period, punting once and throwing an interception deep in Arkanas State territory on the other one. The Indians also had two possessions but scored touchdowns on both.

ASU proved to be very efficient on the ground and in the air. The Indians recorded 466 yards of total offense, compared to NT’s 263 yards. The 466 yards of total offense by Arkansas State was the most allowed by the Mean Green defense this year. ASU was also successful on third downs, going 11-for-15. The Mean Green converted only three third-down possessions.

The Mean Green put the first points on the scoreboard with a 42-yard field goal by Denis Hopovac. North Texas took its first drive and ran the ball 11 straight times before the drive stalled at the Arkansas State 25-yard line. Hopovac kicked a career high with the 42-yard field goal to culminate the drive.

ASU quickly regained the lead with a 72-yard drive that resulted in a 31-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to Kevin Jones. North Texas took its second lead, 10-7, with a 90-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard touchdown reception by redshirt freshman David Collins. The touchdown reception was the tight end’s first catch of his career.

Senior Zach Muzzy, who was replacing starter Johnny Quinn as the Mean Green punt return man, fumbled an Arkansas State punt late in the first half to set up the Indians up for a 19-yard field goal which tied the game at 10 with 1:55 to play in the first half.

Quinn did not play in the game after suffering an ankle injury during practice.  It was the first game since the 2003 season-opener that Quinn was note in the starting lineup.

North Texas returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 28 when it faces Troy on the road at 2:30 pm.