North Texas Routs Rice 52-24
North Texas extended its winning streak to six games with a 52-24 victory over Rice, improving to 5-0 in American Conference play.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
North Texas defeated Rice 52-24 on Saturday, with Jahiem White rushing for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Tayven Jackson added a touchdown pass and a 6-yard touchdown run, and the Mean Green won their sixth consecutive game.
Why it matters
The win keeps North Texas at the top of the American Conference, where it holds a one-game lead over Memphis and UTSA. Rice, now 1-8 overall, has dropped eight straight games and remains winless in conference play.
Jahiem White rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns, while Tayven Jackson completed 18 of 33 passes for 301 yards. Justin Stevenson caught five passes for 117 yards for the Mean Green.
The players
Jahiem White
White is a North Texas running back whose three-touchdown performance powered the Mean Green offense in the victory.
Tayven Jackson
Jackson is the North Texas quarterback who threw for 301 yards and accounted for two touchdowns in the win.
The details
Bryce Garza recovered a Rice fumble forced by Zakye Barker at the Rice 31, and Jackson threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Carnes five plays later. Brendon Haygood added a 4-yard rushing touchdown with 1:55 remaining, while Tyvonn Byars scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown for Rice.
Timeline
Saturday: North Texas defeats Rice 52-24 in Denton.
Next Saturday: Rice hosts Tulane.
Next Saturday: North Texas visits UTSA.
Season Trajectory
North Texas now sits at 5-0 in the American Conference, holding a one-game edge over Memphis and UTSA in the race for the conference title. Rice's eighth straight loss leaves the Owls without a conference win through the midpoint of the league schedule.
North Texas's lead in the American Conference standings means its remaining conference games now carry significant weight for championship seeding. Fantasy managers tracking Jahiem White and Tayven Jackson should note their production in this matchup.
The takeaway
North Texas has built its conference lead on balanced offense, with both the running game and the passing attack producing big numbers. Keeping that balance intact over the next two weeks will matter as the American Conference race tightens.
What happens next
Rice hosts Tulane next Saturday, and North Texas visits UTSA on the same day.
Further reading
Follow the latest from Football coverage in Denton for more context on the Mean Green's conference campaign.
