FIU Early Burst Too Much In McCarney Opener

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Sep 27

11:00 AM CT

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vs South Alabama

Oct 10

6:30 PM CT

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vs South Florida

Oct 18

TBA

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Oct 24

6:00 PM CT

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at Charlotte

BOX SCORE

Head Coach Dan McCarney Postgame Interview

Quarterback Derek Thompson Postgame Interview

MIAMI - In a battle of the Sun Belt's Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year, T.Y. Hilton and FIU proved too explosive early for North Texas and Lance Dunbar in a 41-16 loss to open the Dan McCarney era.

The Mean Green (0-1) defense found its groove after the first quarter, but the Golden Panthers (1-0) had already done their damage. Hilton out-slugged Dunbar with seven catches for 132 yards and 283 all-purpose yards in spotting FIU a 28-0 lead.

After FIU's initial burst, NT managed to outscore the Golden Panthers, 16-13, over the next three quarters thanks to stellar special teams play and a late safety.

Daniel Prior pounded Hilton on a punt return, and the fumble squirted right into the arms of Andrew Power who rumbled 29-yards the other direction for NT's first score. Ryan Downing and the Mean Green punt return unit also pounced on a bad snap in the endzone in the fourth.

With 40 seconds on the fourth-quarter clock the Mean Green defense corralled FIU's Jeremiah Harden in the endzone for NT's first safety since the 2009 win over Western Kentucky.

Hilton, set up the game's first score with a 62-yard return on the opening kickoff. Kedrick Rhodes found the endzone four plays later on a nine-yard scramble with 13:19 on the first-quarter clock. Hilton struck again two minutes later on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Wesley Carroll, and Rhodes found the endzone on a dazzling 19-yard touchdown run that capped off a 93-yard drive.

Darriet Perry's 1-yard plunge put FIU on top 28-0 with 47-seconds left to cap off the highest scoring first quarter in Golden Panther history.

Brelan Chancellor was electric as the North Texas return man. The sophomore racked up 197 kick return yards, including a big 47-yarder.

Despite heavy pressure from the Golden Panthers Derek Thompson was efficient under center for the Mean Green. He completed 14 of 27 passes for 167 yards in just his second career start. Osborn was 5-of-8 for 37 yards in relief.

Lance Dunbar rushed 18 times for 43 yards, while Brandin Byrd had 46 yards on eight carries.

North Texas opens the brand new Apogee Stadium next Saturday night against Houston on ESPN3.com. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

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Team Stats

Derek Thompson

Brent Osborn

Players Mentioned

Brandin Byrd

Brelan Chancellor

Ryan Downing

Lance Dunbar

Andrew Power

Daniel Prior

Derek Thompson

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