University of North Texas Athletics
North Squad Clips South In Spring Game Quarterback Duel
4/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
The South team's Derek Thompson dazzled the spring game crowd of 3,890, completing his first seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Overall the sophomore went 14-of-24 for 234 yards and a touchdown. Nathan Tune, who led the North team to a 17-14 win, completed 11-of-19 passes for 182 yards and a score.
Tune's North squad opened the scoring when he hooked up with Darius Carey for 32 yards, setting up a 27-yard field goal from Trent Deans.
Thompson didn't take long to strike back, hitting Alex Lott for 42 yards to take the ball down to the 2-yard line. James Hamilton finished the job with a 2-yard touchdown plunge to put the South on top 7-3.
Thompson added to his totals with a lightning quick drive that saw him hit a trio of quick passes for 80 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jamaal Jackson to put the South up 14-3.
Mean Green fans got a chance to see Tyler Stradford's blazing speed on a 69-yard touchdown pass from Tune. The junior raced past the secondary for the easy catch to bring the North back into contention at 14-10 in the third quarter.
Stradford led all receivers with three catches for 111 yards and a score. Carey wasn't far behind with 79 yards on four catches.
Freshman running back Brandin Byrd engineered a tough-nosed 79-yard drive, that saw the Copperas Cove native carry nine times for 50 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown run. That scamper proved the difference, giving the North side the lead at 17-14 to start the fourth quarter.
North Texas will start the 2010 season at Clemson on Sept. 4. Tickets are available through the North Texas ticket office or at meangreensports.com.
