University of North Texas Athletics
Photo by: Manny Flores
UNT to Take on App State in Myrtle Beach Bowl
12/13/2020 7:00:00 PM | Football
DENTON - North Texas has accepted an invitation to play in the inaugural edition of the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Monday, Dec. 21, at Brooks Stadium on the campus of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, against Sun Belt foe Appalachian State. The game will kick off at 1:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
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"Through all the uncertainty that we've had all season, I'm happy that we are able to continue our season for one more game and we are extremely excited for the opportunity to play in the Myrtle Beach Bowl," head coach Seth Littrell said. "This has been a challenging year for sure, but we've tried to stay focused on the things that we can control and the resiliency of this team has been outstanding. To have a chance at a bowl game to finish the season is validation for this team and I'm extremely proud of them. We look forward to the challenge of playing a very good Appalachian State team."
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UNT finished the regular season with a win over UTEP to improve its record to 4-5, with a 3-4 Conference USA record, which was good enough for fourth place in the west division of the league. With 2020 bowl restrictions being relaxed due to COVID-19, the Mean Green were eligible to play in one of Conference USA's affiliated bowls.
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This marks the fourth time in five seasons that Littrell has guided the Mean Green to a bowl game. This will be the 12th bowl game in North Texas history and will be the ninth bowl game for UNT in the last 20 years.
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North Texas concluded the regular season with one of the top offenses in the nation, ranking seventh in total offense (515.0 yards per game) and 24th in scoring (35.1 points per game). North Texas enters the postseason in the top-25 of the national rankings in 10 major categories, including passing offense (22nd at 284.8 yards per game), rushing offense (13th at 230.2 yards per game) and third-down conversion rate (22nd at 47.7%). Senior wide receiver Jaelon Darden, who declared for the 2021 NFL Draft earlier on Sunday, concluded the regular season as the FBS leader in touchdown receptions (19). An All-America candidate and Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, Darden hauled in 74 catches for 1,190 yards and those 19 scores across UNT's nine games, while setting new program records for career receptions (230), receiving yards (2,782) and receiving touchdowns (38) across his 48 games in Denton.
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This will be the first-ever meeting between North Texas and App State. The Mountaineers finished the regular season at 8-3, with a 6-2 mark in Sun Belt play.
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Tickets are now available through the Myrtle Beach Bowl's website. Click here to purchase tickets.
Fans will have the opportunity to attend the official Mean Green watch party at Eastside in Denton. Food trucks will be on-site for food purchases and fans 21 and older will be able to enjoy drink specials during the game. Please note that if you plan to attend, masks will be required and all parties must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Admission will be free for all fans.
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"Through all the uncertainty that we've had all season, I'm happy that we are able to continue our season for one more game and we are extremely excited for the opportunity to play in the Myrtle Beach Bowl," head coach Seth Littrell said. "This has been a challenging year for sure, but we've tried to stay focused on the things that we can control and the resiliency of this team has been outstanding. To have a chance at a bowl game to finish the season is validation for this team and I'm extremely proud of them. We look forward to the challenge of playing a very good Appalachian State team."
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UNT finished the regular season with a win over UTEP to improve its record to 4-5, with a 3-4 Conference USA record, which was good enough for fourth place in the west division of the league. With 2020 bowl restrictions being relaxed due to COVID-19, the Mean Green were eligible to play in one of Conference USA's affiliated bowls.
 Â
This marks the fourth time in five seasons that Littrell has guided the Mean Green to a bowl game. This will be the 12th bowl game in North Texas history and will be the ninth bowl game for UNT in the last 20 years.
 Â
North Texas concluded the regular season with one of the top offenses in the nation, ranking seventh in total offense (515.0 yards per game) and 24th in scoring (35.1 points per game). North Texas enters the postseason in the top-25 of the national rankings in 10 major categories, including passing offense (22nd at 284.8 yards per game), rushing offense (13th at 230.2 yards per game) and third-down conversion rate (22nd at 47.7%). Senior wide receiver Jaelon Darden, who declared for the 2021 NFL Draft earlier on Sunday, concluded the regular season as the FBS leader in touchdown receptions (19). An All-America candidate and Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, Darden hauled in 74 catches for 1,190 yards and those 19 scores across UNT's nine games, while setting new program records for career receptions (230), receiving yards (2,782) and receiving touchdowns (38) across his 48 games in Denton.
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This will be the first-ever meeting between North Texas and App State. The Mountaineers finished the regular season at 8-3, with a 6-2 mark in Sun Belt play.
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Tickets are now available through the Myrtle Beach Bowl's website. Click here to purchase tickets.
Fans will have the opportunity to attend the official Mean Green watch party at Eastside in Denton. Food trucks will be on-site for food purchases and fans 21 and older will be able to enjoy drink specials during the game. Please note that if you plan to attend, masks will be required and all parties must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Admission will be free for all fans.
Players Mentioned
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