North Texas quarterback throws for 404 yards to defeat Florida Atlantic 48-41
The Mean Green extended their win streak to five while Florida Atlantic's Caden Veltkamp set a single-game record for receiving by a teammate.
By Alessia Diallo ·
Tayven Jackson accounted for 404 passing yards and four touchdowns as North Texas defeated Florida Atlantic 48-41 on Thursday night in Denton, Texas.
The victory improved the Mean Green record to 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the American Conference. It also marked the fifth consecutive win for North Texas. Jackson completed 33 of 46 passes in the contest. Jahiem White added 193 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
Florida Atlantic, which fell to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play, saw Caden Veltkamp throw for a season-high 452 yards and five touchdowns. Veltkamp completed 37 of 56 passes. Easton Messer caught 16 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns, setting a school record for receptions in a single game.
The teams combined for 1,167 total yards of offense. The game marked the first FBS contest this season to feature two passers who each threw for more than 400 yards. The lead changed hands frequently throughout the four quarters.
Veltkamp passed to Branden Hoch for a 10-3 lead after the first quarter. Jackson tied the score at 10 with an 8-yard strike to Baron Tipton. Veltkamp then found Messer for a 27-yard touchdown to give the Owls a 17-10 lead. Jackson responded with a 3-yard pass to Kyle Koch to tie the game again. White followed with a 59-yard first-down run to put North Texas ahead 24-17. Veltkamp tied the score at halftime with a 12-yard pass to Messer with 39 seconds remaining in the second half.
North Texas built a 34-24 lead in the third quarter after a turnover and a 4-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Justin Stevenson. Veltkamp reduced the deficit with a 22-yard pass to Kaden Shields-Dutton. White then scored on a two-play sequence to put the Mean Green up 41-31 entering the fourth quarter. Messer caught a 34-yard pass from Veltkamp to make it 41-38 with 8:26 left. Jackson sealed the win with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Koch.
Florida Atlantic will host UTSA on Nov. 5. North Texas will host Rice on Nov. 7.
Source: MySA
