North Texas beat Navy 49-39 on Saturday as Tayven Jackson's 45-yard touchdown strike to Justin Stevenson on the game's opening possession gave the Mean Green a lead they never relinquished.
Stevenson finished with eight receptions for 209 yards and two scores, while running back Jahiem White added 174 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries for North Texas. Jackson completed 17 of 23 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns. Navy quarterback Jackson Gutierrez put up monster numbers in a losing effort, rushing 26 times for 228 yards and three touchdowns while completing 8 of 11 passes for 156 yards and a score, and running back Michael Barrow added 92 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Navy's offense generated plenty of yards in the triple-option attack, but the Midshipmen could not overcome a North Texas offense that scored freely from the opening drive. Dalton Carnes added a 76-yard punt return touchdown for the Mean Green, putting further distance between the teams. Stefan Egbe lost a fumble for Navy, one of several turnovers that complicated the Midshipmen's path back.
Navy, which dropped the homecoming game, is scheduled to face Notre Dame on Saturday, October 31.