North Texas cruises past UNLV to win Heart of Dallas Bowl
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Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Derek Thompson threw two touchdown passes as the North Texas Mean Green beat the UNLV Rebels, 36-14, in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Thompson completed 21-of-30 passes for 256 yards for the Mean Green (9-4), who played in a bowl game for the first time since 2004.
"We just made plays," Thompson said. "It wasn't anything special that we did. We just executed."
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Brelan Chancellor carried the ball seven times for 47 yards and two scores for North Texas. He also hauled in six passes for 74 yards.
Caleb Herring connected on 22-of-41 passes for 196 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for the Rebels (7-6), who made their first bowl appearance since 2000. Herring also carried the ball 15 times for 33 yards.
"I would have liked to go out on a bit of a sweeter taste, but the time here I've had is nothing short of amazing, and I'm just proud to be a Rebel," said Herring, a senior, of playing his final game.
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The Rebels scored a touchdown on their first possession of the game. Herring completed all five of his passes on the drive, including a 9-yard TD pass to Marcus Sullivan.
North Texas got a bit of a break when UNLV's Keith Whitely fumbled a punt. The Mean Green took advantage of the mistake, as Antoinne Jimmerson scored on the ground from one yard out.
UNLV kicker Nolan Kohorst missed a 52-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
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The Mean Green scored a touchdown on their first possession of the second half. Marcus Smith's 27-yard catch on 3rd-and-7 led to Drew Miller's 7-yard TD catch.
North Texas put the game away with a 22-point fourth quarter. Chancellor's 3- yard TD run on the first play of the final period made it a 21-7 contest.
Darnell Smith capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 34-yard touchdown catch.
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Jerry Rice Jr. caught a 13-yard TD pass from Herring to get the Rebels within 28-14.
Chancellor's 15-yard TD run with 2:24 to play accounted for the final margin.
Game Notes
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Despite the loss, the Rebels lead the all-time series with the Mean Green by a 4-1 margin ... North Texas won a bowl game for the first time since 2002 ... Darnell Smith caught five passes for 75 yards.