TULSA, Okla. — North Texas found a way to survive a wild back-and-forth battle Thursday night, defeating Tulsa 45-44 in overtime in an American Conference opener that came down to a failed two-point conversion.
The Mean Green received a standout performance from quarterback Tayven Jackson, who threw for a season-best four touchdowns before scoring the game-winning touchdown himself in overtime.
Running back Jahiem White was equally impressive, rushing for 219 yards and a touchdown as North Texas improved to 3-2 and opened conference play with a dramatic victory.
Jackson completed 24 of 39 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns while throwing two interceptions. He also delivered when the game mattered most.
After North Texas took possession first in overtime, Jackson immediately attacked the Tulsa defense, connecting with Grayson O’Bara for a 22-yard gain on the opening play.
Three plays later, Jackson finished the drive himself, powering into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Mean Green ahead.
Tulsa refused to go quietly.
Damari Alston answered with a 2-yard touchdown run on the Golden Hurricane’s overtime possession, cutting the deficit to one point.
Tulsa then elected to go for two and the victory.
The attempt came up short, allowing North Texas to escape with the 45-44 win.
The victory capped a remarkable night of offensive production for both teams.
White Continues to Produce
White was one of the biggest reasons North Texas was able to keep pace with Tulsa’s high-powered attack.
The running back finished with 219 yards on the ground and a touchdown, including a 14-yard scoring run that gave the Mean Green a two-touchdown advantage with 6:13 remaining in the third quarter.
White’s production has become a major storyline for North Texas this season.
He now has 10 total touchdowns, including eight rushing scores and two receiving touchdowns. That total ranks second among Football Bowl Subdivision players, trailing only Florida’s Jadan Baugh, who has 11.
White’s ability to consistently create explosive plays gave North Texas another dimension alongside Jackson’s passing attack.
Tulsa Keeps Fighting
Tulsa quarterback Baylor Hayes repeatedly answered every North Texas scoring surge.
Hayes threw three touchdown passes and added two rushing touchdowns for the Golden Hurricane, who fell to 3-2.
Tulsa began its comeback late in the third quarter when Hayes connected with David Wells Jr. on a 5-yard touchdown pass.
The Golden Hurricane found the end zone again when Hayes threw another touchdown to Wells, this time from four yards out with 8:17 remaining in regulation.
The score tied the game at 31-31.
North Texas responded when Jackson found Justin Stevenson for a 14-yard touchdown, putting the Mean Green back in front.
But Tulsa wasn’t finished.
With only 31 seconds remaining in regulation, Hayes kept the ball and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, pulling Tulsa even and sending the game to overtime.
Jackson Delivers in the Decisive Moment
Jackson’s four touchdown passes helped keep North Texas in control for much of the night, but his legs ultimately provided the game’s deciding score.
Max Reese also played a major role in the Mean Green’s passing attack, catching five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Stevenson finished with two touchdown receptions, giving Jackson multiple reliable targets throughout the night.
Despite throwing two interceptions, Jackson consistently made big plays when North Texas needed them most.
The final one came in overtime.
After O’Bara’s 22-yard reception gave the Mean Green an immediate boost, Jackson finished the possession with the short touchdown run that ultimately proved to be the difference.
Tulsa answered, but its decision to go for the two-point conversion instead of extending the game resulted in the decisive moment.
The pass, catch or run never came.
The attempt fell short, and North Texas celebrated a one-point victory on the road.
Conference Play Begins With a Classic
For both programs, the American Conference opener delivered everything a conference rivalry should: explosive offense, momentum swings, late-game drama and an overtime finish.
North Texas leaves Tulsa with a 3-2 record and an important conference victory.
The Mean Green will return home next week and host Charlotte on Oct. 10.
Tulsa will try to rebound on the road when it travels to face Navy on Oct. 10.
But Thursday night’s game will be remembered for North Texas’ ability to make one more play than Tulsa when the game was finally decided.
In a game separated by a single point, Jackson and the Mean Green had the final answer.
