eagles_victory
10-08-2006, 12:20 AM
DENTON, Texas -- Denis Hopovac's fifth field goal of the game in an NCAA record-tying seventh overtime gave North Texas a 25-22 victory over Florida International on Saturday night.
Hopovac connected from 34 yards after he and Florida International counterpart Dustin Rivest each missed four field goals in overtime. Hopovac also tied an NCAA record with nine attempts.
North Texas (2-4, 1-1 Sun Belt) entered the game as the only Division I-A team that hadn't played an overtime game since the NCAA instituted the rule in 1996. The other two seven-overtime games involved Arkansas -- against Mississippi in 2001 and Kentucky in 2003.
Daniel Meager, who had replaced starting quarterback Woody Wilson in the fourth quarter, led North Texas' rally for a 16-13 lead. Hopovac kicked a 23-yard field goal, and Meager threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Quinn, then ran 2 yards for a 2-point conversion with 2 minutes to play.
Florida International's Lionel Singleton returned the kickoff 40 yards to midfield. From there, the Golden Panthers (0-6, 0-3) moved in to set up Rivest's tying 28-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining.
North Texas led 5-0 at halftime, getting a safety when Caleb Miller snapped the ball over punter Chris Cook's head and through the end zone and Hopovac's first field goal, a 35-yarder.
The Golden Panthers went ahead in the third quarter on Josh Padrick's 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Andy Anderson, but Rivest's miss on the extra point kept the score at 6-5.
Later in the quarter, FIU defensive end Antwan Barnes returned a leaping interception 23 yards for a touchdown, the second of his career, to give the Panthers a 13-5 lead.
North Texas' Jamario Thomas had 124 yards rushing on 38 carries. Reams, filling in for injured tailback A'mond Ned, gained 96 yards in 27 attempts
Hopovac connected from 34 yards after he and Florida International counterpart Dustin Rivest each missed four field goals in overtime. Hopovac also tied an NCAA record with nine attempts.
North Texas (2-4, 1-1 Sun Belt) entered the game as the only Division I-A team that hadn't played an overtime game since the NCAA instituted the rule in 1996. The other two seven-overtime games involved Arkansas -- against Mississippi in 2001 and Kentucky in 2003.
Daniel Meager, who had replaced starting quarterback Woody Wilson in the fourth quarter, led North Texas' rally for a 16-13 lead. Hopovac kicked a 23-yard field goal, and Meager threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Quinn, then ran 2 yards for a 2-point conversion with 2 minutes to play.
Florida International's Lionel Singleton returned the kickoff 40 yards to midfield. From there, the Golden Panthers (0-6, 0-3) moved in to set up Rivest's tying 28-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining.
North Texas led 5-0 at halftime, getting a safety when Caleb Miller snapped the ball over punter Chris Cook's head and through the end zone and Hopovac's first field goal, a 35-yarder.
The Golden Panthers went ahead in the third quarter on Josh Padrick's 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Andy Anderson, but Rivest's miss on the extra point kept the score at 6-5.
Later in the quarter, FIU defensive end Antwan Barnes returned a leaping interception 23 yards for a touchdown, the second of his career, to give the Panthers a 13-5 lead.
North Texas' Jamario Thomas had 124 yards rushing on 38 carries. Reams, filling in for injured tailback A'mond Ned, gained 96 yards in 27 attempts