Easly leads North Texas to 4th win, 47-7 over Liberty
North Texas WR jukes out defender for game's 1st score
Jaelon Darden jukes a defender and scores to put North Texas up 7-0 early over Liberty.
LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Loren Easly rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns as North Texas jumped out to an early lead and coasted to a 47-7 victory over Liberty on Saturday night to remain undefeated on the season.
Mason Fine hit Jaelon Darden on a 6-yard TD toss and found Rico Bussey Jr. on a 22-yard scoring strike to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Mean Green (4-0) pushed the lead to 21-7 at the half. The North Texas defense kept Liberty off the scoreboard in the second half while adding three more touchdowns, capped by Nic Smith's 66-yard burst for the final score.
North Texas was coming off a 44-17 victory over Arkansas last week, its first win over an SEC opponent in more than 40 years.
The teams faced a 42-minute lightning delay before the game and another short one in the second half.
Fine threw for 185 yards on 16-of-27 passing with two touchdowns.
Stephen Calvert led Liberty (1-2) throwing for 222 yards and one touchdown. Frankie Hickson rushed for 96 yards on 21 carries.
Game Information
2024 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| Tulane | 7-1 | 9-5 |
| Navy | 6-2 | 9-3 |
| Memphis | 6-2 | 11-2 |
| East Carolina | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| South Florida | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| UTSA | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Charlotte | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| North Texas | 3-5 | 6-6 |
| Rice | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Temple | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| UAB | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Florida Atlantic | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| Tulsa | 1-7 | 3-9 |
2024 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State | 7-1 | 9-5 |
| Western Kentucky | 6-2 | 8-6 |
| Sam Houston | 6-2 | 10-3 |
| Liberty | 5-3 | 8-3 |
| Louisiana Tech | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| UTEP | 3-5 | 3-9 |
| Florida International | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| New Mexico State | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 2-6 | 2-10 |
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