Aune's 5 TD passes powers North Texas past FIU 52-14

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FIU defense comes up with chaotic TD

Reggie Peterson gets the interception for Florida International and returns it but fumbles. It's picked up by Adrian Cole who scores the touchdown.

Nov 6, 2022, 12:02 am

DENTON, Texas -- — Austin Aune passed for 384 yards and five touchdowns — all in the first half — and North Texas romped to a 52-14 victory over Florida International on Saturday.

Ayo Adeyi ran for a 2-yard touchdown and Aune sandwiched a 45-yard scoring strike to Jordan Smart and a 10-yarder to freshman Var'Keyes Gumms around an Ethan Mooney field goal as North Texas (6-4, 5-1 Conference USA) led 24-0 after one quarter.

Aune connected with Jyaire Shorter for a 57-yard touchdown early in the second quarter and followed with a 6-yard scoring toss to Ikaika Ragsdale for a 38-0 lead. Aune and Shorter hooked up for a 35-yard score and the Mean Green led 45-14 at halftime.

Stone Earle's 1-yard touchdown run for North Texas ended an 18-play, 97-yard drive in the fourth quarter and was the only score of the second half.

Aune completed 25 of 34 passes for 414 yards. His only blemishes were a pair of interceptions, the second of which was returned for a Florida International (4-5, 2-3) touchdown in the second quarter. Reggie Peterson picked off Aune and returned it 79 yards before fumbling. Teammate Adrian Cole scooped it up and went the final 4 yards for the score.

EJ Wilson Jr. got the Panthers on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run.

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