SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 24, 2012
Western Kentucky 25, North Texas 24: Antonio Andrews rushed for 230 yards, including the go-ahead 21-yard touchdown gallop with 3:30 left, as the Hilltoppers came from behind to edge the visiting Mean Green.
Western Kentucky trailed by 14 to start the fourth quarter before Jonathan Dowling ran back an interception 39 yards for a score with 12:44 left. The Hilltoppers (7-5, 4-4 Sun Belt) failed on the conversion, but a 27-yard field goal by Garrett Schwettman 5:34 later and Andrews’ 14th touchdown of the season enhanced their resume for a bowl bid.
Brandin Byrd rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown for North Texas (4-8, 3-5), which could not get a first down on its final drive. Quarterback Derek Thompson threw a 12-yard scoring strike to Darnell Smith with 24 seconds left in the third quarter for a 24-10 lead.
Andrews finished with 323 all-purpose yards, going over 300 for the fourth time this season – the only player in the nation to accomplish that. The junior has 1,609 yards rushing and 2,977 all-purpose yards in 2012.
Western Kentucky quarterback Kawaun Jakes passed for 173 yards and a touchdown, the 50th of his career to tie Justin Haddix (2003-06) for the school record. The Hilltoppers snapped a three-game losing streak.