DENTON, Texas - Lance Dunbar made up for two lost fumbles in the first quarter by gaining 279 all-purpose yards, Derek Thompson threw three touchdown passes and Dan McCarney earned his first victory at North Texas as the Mean Green defeated Indiana 24-21 Saturday night.
Dunbar, North Texas' leading rusher the past two seasons, had a career-high 152 yards receiving and added 127 more rushing. After losing fumbles on consecutive drives in the opening quarter, Dunbar caught an 83-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter that gave North Texas (1-3) its first score.
Indiana (1-3) trailed 24-0 before storming back in the fourth quarter. Backup Dusty Kiel threw two touchdown passes in the final 6 minutes, including a 67-yarder to Kofi Hughes that made it 24-21.
North Texas recovered the ensuing onside kick with 1:05 left to secure McCarney's first victory since coaching Iowa State in 2006.
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