IU falls 24-21 to North Texas

A late-game quarterback switch and comeback were not enough for the Hoosiers to come back from a 24 point deficit Saturday as IU dropped their final non-conference game of the season to North Texas 24-21.

The Hoosiers are now 1-3 on the season.

A scoreless first quarter that saw three Mean Green drives reach Hoosier territory, but none of the three ended in points. A blocked field goal ended North Texas’ opening possession while fumbles gave the ball to IU on the next two. The Hoosiers were unable to capitalize themselves, though.

In the second quarter however, UNT quarterback Derek Thompson threw three touchdowns, including an 83-yarder to running back Lance Dunbar, giving UNT a 21-0 lead.

The closest IU came to a score, however, was a missed 49-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Mitch Ewald.

The second half started no better for IU as sophomore quarterback Edward-Wright Baker threw an interception less than a minute into the third quarter. The Mean Green turned the field goal into another three points with a field goal.

The fourth quarter however, was different. 3:19 into the final period, freshman  linebacker Mark Murphy returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown.

An onside kick gave IU the ball again, but the drive ended with a punt and forced a quarterback change.

Sophomore Dusty Kiel led IU on its final two drives. Both resulted in touchdowns, including a 66-yard score to sophomore wide receiver Kofi Hughes with a minute left.

The subsequent onside kick was not recovered, though, and North Texas ran out the clock to pull the upset.

How it all happened:

First Quarter, 9:58 left: A quick Mean Green drive down the field is stopped  in the red zone by the Hoosiers. The field goal attempt was blocked by IU.

First Quarter, 6:55 left: UNT picks up a first down on fourth-and-one on  quarterback Derek Thompson’s run.

First Quarter, 6:27 left: Jarrell Drane recovers the ball on a Lance Dunbar  fumble. Also, Damarlo Belcher reportedly did not make the trip after  sustaining an undisclosed injury.

First Quarter, 3:10 left: D’Angelo Roberts fumbles the ball back to UNT at  the Mean Green 20.

First Quarter, :33 left: Another fumble by Dunbar. Darius Johnson recovers.

End of First Quarter: Scoreless game after one quarter of play. IU has notably played almost exclusively back-ups at wide receiver. Lance Dunbar has 66  yards through one quarter, but two fumbles as well.

Second Quarter, 13:39 left: Lance Dunbar takes a short pass from Thompson  83 yards for a touchdown. PAT is good.

Second Quarter, 10:38 left: Penalties force IU into a fourth-and-30 situation.  Adam Pines subsequent punt goes for 27 yards.

Second Quarter, 6:37 left: Pass to Chris Bynes from Thompson for  touchdown. PAT good. UNT has 314 yard of total offense already.

Second Quarter, 2:52 left: Mitch Ewald misses a 49-yard field goal attempt  on fourth down.

Second Quarter, :55 left: Thompson throws for another score, this time to  Michael Outlaw for 32 yards. Outlaw was down on the turf for a moment before walking off. PAT was good. UNT has 371 yards of offense.

Third Quarter, 14:43 left: Wright-Baker throws interception. UNT ball on the  IU 27.

Third Quarter, 12:14 left: Zach Olen, previously just 1-for-4 on the year, hits a  40-yard field goal to increase UNT’s lead.

Halftime: UNT leads IU 21-0 at the half. Lance Dunbar already has 230 total  yards, while Derek Thompson has thrown 190. IU only has 159 total yards as  a team.

Fourth Quarter, 5:24: Dusty Kiel, in for Edward Wright-Baker, tosses a  44-yard touchdown strike to Cody Latimer.

Fourth Quarter, 1:00: Kiel finds Hughes on a 66 yard touchdown after the  defender was caught offguard while putting on his shoe. PAT good.

Final: A rather bizarre fourth quarter comeback fell short for the Hoosiers as  they fall to 1-3. Dusty Kiel finishes with seven completions on 12 attempts for  145 yards and two touchdowns.