North Texas has defied preseason expectations by maintaining its perfect American Conference record, securing a dominant 52-23 victory over Rice on Saturday. The win marks the Mean Green’s fifth consecutive conference triumph and sixth straight overall win, keeping them in prime position to return to the American Championship Game. Despite a lopsided final score, the game began with unexpected resistance, as Rice’s ground-oriented option offense utilized long possessions to hold the second-ranked North Texas scoring attack to just 10 points in the first half.
Mean Green extend unbeaten conference streak to five, silencing parity doubts
The Mean Green’s resilience is particularly impressive given the significant personnel upheaval following the 2025 season. North Texas finished 12-2 last year but suffered massive losses to Oklahoma State, shedding key starters and a large portion of its coaching staff. Yet, through the first week of November, the program has remained the conference’s last undefeated team, winning 11 consecutive regular-season conference games. This streak stands in stark contrast to Rice, which entered the matchup riding a seven-game losing streak and struggling to find offensive rhythm against a disciplined defensive front.
The second-half surge underscored North Texas’ ability to adjust and execute against a struggling opponent. While the Owls initially kept the game competitive by shortening the clock, the Mean Green’s offensive firepower eventually overwhelmed Rice’s defense. This performance solidifies North Texas’ status as a top-tier contender in the American Conference, proving that their recent success is not merely a byproduct of schedule ease but a testament to their depth and adaptability. With the conference race now heating up, North Texas enters the final stretch of the regular season with momentum and a clear path toward the postseason.
Source: Yahoo Sports
