Top Moments From 2018 - Hall's Pick Six - University of North Texas Athletics

DENTON - As fall camp approaches, with players reporting on August 1, MeanGreenSports.com takes a look back at some of the biggest moments from the 2018 season. Stay tuned each Tuesday as MeanGreenSports.com relives each of these key moments from the nine-win season last year. We kick off our series with Kemon Hall's pick six to push the North Texas lead to 14-0 in the blowout win over rival SMU in the season opener.

In front of a raucous crowd of 29,519 at Apogee Stadium, the Mean Green locked down defensively right from the opening kickoff. After forcing a quick three-and-out on SMU's opening drive, that saw them lose 14 yards, UNT marched 49 yards to take an early 7-0 lead. SMU again went three-and-out on their next drive before Hall's first big moment of 2018.

Following a North Texas punt, SMU quarterback Ben Hicks trotted back out onto the field after a slow start, completing just 1 of 4 passes for 6 yards through his first two drives. With 5:37 on the clock in the first quarter, it only got worse for Hicks. His first attempt on the Mustangs' third drive of the game was jumped by Hall, who easily picked off the pass and took off down the SMU sideline for a 36-yard touchdown return.

That pushed the lead to 14-0 and appeared to crush the spirit of the visitors from Dallas. North Texas never looked back, scoring the game's first 36 points, on its way to a dominant 46-23 win.

The Mean Green allowed the Mustangs two first downs and 46 yards total offense through the first three periods, and surrendered just four yards rushing for the game.

How it Happened:

Hicks took the snap from the shotgun on the right hash, and after a play-action fake, stared down receiver CJ Sanders, who ran a quick out towards the SMU sideline. North Texas defensive lineman Dion Novil got some quick penetration to Hicks' left.

Novil's pressure forced Hicks to adjust his throwing lane, and rushed his throw. Throwing across the field, Hick's pass was a bit behind Sanders and hung up as Hall jumped the route. Once Hall hauled it in, it was a quick, uncontested jaunt into the end zone to double the Mean Green's lead.

What They Said:

DB Kemon Hall – "I looked at his [SMU quarterback Ben Hicks] eyes and their alignment and was like 'okay, yeah,' if he throws it at him I'm going to get it. When I made my break, it was perfect, I had my eyes on it, just cupped it and ran."

Head Coach Seth Littrell – "The defense set the tone. They came out blazing, really dominated. That pick six was huge. The defense has had a chip on their shoulder and they did a tremendous job, everybody making plays. We weren't missing tackles and we were getting off the field."

Hall's interception set the tone early for a big win over UNT's Metroplex rival that kick-started a 4-0 start for the Mean Green.

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Top Moments From 2018 - Hall's Pick Six

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Kemon Hall

Dion Novil

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