North Texas quarterback Tayven Jackson throws 404 yards in 48-41 win over Florida Atlantic
The game featured the first 400-yard passing duel in FBS this season, with North Texas extending its winning streak to five.
By William Turner ·
North Texas defeated Florida Atlantic 48-41 on Thursday night in Denton, Texas, securing a victory that extended the Mean Green's winning streak to five games.
Tayven Jackson led the offense with 404 passing yards and four touchdowns on 33 of 46 attempts. Jahiem White added 193 rushing yards and two scores on 26 carries. The two teams combined for 1,167 total offensive yards, marking the first game in the FBS this season where both quarterbacks passed for more than 400 yards.
Florida Atlantic quarterback Caden Veltkamp responded with a season-high 452 passing yards and five touchdowns. He completed 37 of 56 passes. His numbers matched his career high. Easton Messer set a school record with 16 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns.
The Owls opened the scoring when Veltkamp threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Branden Hoch, giving Florida Atlantic a 10-3 lead after the first quarter. Jackson tied the game early in the second quarter with an 8-yard pass to Baron Tipton. Veltkamp regained the lead with a 27-yard score to Messer, but Jackson answered with a 3-yard touchdown to Kyle Koch. White then ran 59 yards for a score to put North Texas ahead 24-17.
Veltkamp tied the game at 24-24 with a 12-yard pass to Messer with 39 seconds left in the first half. In the third quarter, Jackson threw a 4-yard touchdown to Justin Stevenson after an Owls turnover to extend the lead to 34-24. Veltkamp narrowed the gap with a 22-yard strike to Kaden Shields-Dutton. White scored on a short run two plays later to push North Texas ahead 41-31.
Veltkamp threw a 34-yard touchdown to Messer with 8 minutes and 26 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 41-38. Jackson secured the win with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Koch, increasing the margin to 10 points.
North Texas improved to 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the American Conference. Florida Atlantic fell to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play. The Owls host UTSA on Nov. 5, while the Mean Green host Rice on Nov. 7.
