Mestemaker went 19 of 23 and completed touchdown passes of 74 and 84 yards to Young and 56 yards to Trey Williams III in the first half. The quarterback also ran for a 1-yard score in the third quarter as the Mean Green (10-1, 6-1 American) scored 42 consecutive points after Rice built a 14-0 lead.
“Drew was amazing at making reads,” North Texas coach Eric Morris said. “We guarded him well and were able to hit some shots down the field.”
Young had the most receiving yards in a Division I game this season, surpassing TCU’s Eric McAllister, who had 254 yards against SMU on September 20.
“It’s a surreal feeling,” Young said. “Obviously I’m fortunate to be in this position, but today, me and Drew were just clicking.”
Morris spoke highly of Young, who played in high school in Katy, just outside Houston, and had between 30 and 40 relatives and friends in the stands.
“Wyatt is a great football player who will be around for a long time,” Morris said. “He’s becoming a better receiver even after playing quarterback in high school.”
Young said he did not know his total yardage until the second half when the conference record was within reach. Once he knew where he stood, he wanted to go out to 300 yards.
“I did, but it’s all right,” he said. “I’m fortunate enough to have the conference record. I’m OK with 295.”
Caleb Hawkins rushed for 97 yards and three touchdowns for North Texas, which is ranked for the first time since 1959. North Texas outgained Rice 640 yards to 397 yards in winning its fifth consecutive game.
The Mean Green scored at least 50 points for the sixth time this season.
Chase Jenkins was 14 of 21 for 101 yards and a touchdown and ran for 75 yards and a score for Rice (5-6, 2-5). Aaron Turner rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown and had 58 yards receiving and a score.
“When they scored to make it 14-all, you really felt like, I don’t know if it was the tension on our sideline or we lost the energy that we had in the first quarter,” Rice coach Scott Abel said. “Some of it is we have to grow up. They punched back, so how do you react after getting punched back? We didn’t react very well.”
North Texas: The Mean Green remained in search of the American championship game. North Texas is in a three-way tie with Navy and Tulane.
“Just win,” Morris said. “For us, that’s been our motto all year. We’ve never gotten ahead of ourselves. We haven’t talked once about the conference championship until tonight because if we win it, obviously, we’ll have a chance to play for it.”
Rice: The Owls missed a chance to become bowl eligible. Rice went 0-2 against ranked opponents this season and last beat a ranked opponent in a win over No. 20 Marshall in 2020.
North Texas: Hosts Temple on Friday.
Rice: Next Saturday at South Florida.
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