Waco (9/25/04) – Baylor surged past North Texas, 37-14, after a strong second half performance at Floyd Casey Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Mean Green (0-4) closed out its non-conference schedule, going 0-3 against Big XII opponents. Baylor (2-1) extended its series advantage to 12-1 after losing to North Texas for the first time last year.

The Bears outscored NT, 20-0, in the second half, including two touchdown passes within the span of 42 seconds at the start of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Dane King completed 20 of 33 passes for Baylor and threw for 213 yards in the game.

North Texas stayed close to Baylor in the first half, taking the first the lead, 7-0, and holding the advantage in total offense yards, 194 to 182. Freshman running back Jamario Thomas tied the game at 14-14 at the start of the second quarter with a 42-yard touchdown run after finding a hole on the left side. The run was his third career rushing touchdown in two games and his second touchdown run of at least 40 yards. Thomas had 10 carries for 58 yards before leaving the game with an injury early in the third quarter.

North Texas took the early lead after a 67-yard touchdown pass from Scott Hall to Johnny Quinn, capping an 80-yard drive on the Mean Green’s first possession. The pass was the longest completion for the senior quarterback and a career-long reception for the sophomore wide receiver. Quinn caught two passes for 100 yards, marking the second time of his career he has gone for 100 yards or more receiving.

Sophomore Phillip Graves halted Baylor’s first potential scoring opportunity with an interception at the North Texas 11-yard line. The pick was the first this season for the Mean Green and a career first for Graves. The turnover, however, proved to be opportune for the Bears. After North Texas failed to advance on the possession, Braelon Davis blocked the Mean Green punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for Baylor’s first touchdown.

Baylor took its first lead of the game, 14-7, at the end of the first quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run by Paul Mosley. The Bears needed only four plays and just over two minutes to score its first offensive touchdown after starting the drive at NT’s 42-yard line.

Baylor regained the lead, 17-14, after a 25-yard field goal by Kenny Webb. Webb scored the only points in the third quarter with a 37-yard field goal and then posted the final points of the game with a 38-yard field goal.

The Mean Green was held to one first down and 30 yards of total offense in the second half.

North Texas returns to action Saturday, Oct. 2 against Middle Tennessee at 6 pm at Fouts Field.

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