North Texas stops Tulsa’s two-point try to win 45-44 in overtime

North Texas stopped Tulsa's two-point attempt in overtime to finish a 45-44 road victory Thursday night, surviving a fourth-quarter comeback in the American Conference opener for both teams. Tayven Jackson threw four touchdown passes and scored the Mean Green's overtime touchdown, while Jahiem White rushed for 219 yards.

Jackson's one-yard run and Dominic De Freitas' extra point put North Texas ahead 45-38 on the first overtime possession. Damari Alston answered with a two-yard touchdown run for Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane tried to win with a two-point pass, but the attempt finished short of the goal line. Replay upheld the call, ending the game with North Texas one point ahead.

ESPN's original final-moments video shows the overtime possessions and decisive conversion attempt.

Jackson turns a halftime deficit into a lead

Tulsa led 17-10 at halftime after Baylor Hayes scored on a four-yard run, threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Javon Ross and helped set up Owen Carey's 45-yard field goal with nine seconds left in the half. North Texas' touchdown came on Jackson's 11-yard pass to Max Reese.

The Mean Green scored three touchdowns in the third quarter. Jackson found Justin Stevenson for a 14-yard touchdown to tie the game, then connected with Kyle Koch for a five-yard score. White's 14-yard touchdown run made it 31-17 with 6:13 left in the quarter.

Tulsa kept responding. Hayes hit David Wells Jr. for touchdowns late in the third quarter and with 8:17 remaining in the fourth, bringing the teams level at 31. Jackson's second touchdown pass to Stevenson restored North Texas' lead, but Hayes scored with 31 seconds left in regulation to force overtime at 38-38.

White and Reese keep the offense moving

Jackson finished 24-of-39 for 332 yards with four passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Reese caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown; Stevenson had five receptions for 50 yards and two scores. White carried 32 times and supplied all but eight of North Texas' 227 rushing yards.

The Mean Green outgained Tulsa 559-352 but turned the ball over three times. Tulsa had no turnovers and converted all five fourth-down attempts, keeping the game close despite going 3-for-17 on third down.

Hayes completed 25 of 43 passes for 211 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, adding two rushing scores. Oran Singleton Jr. caught 11 passes for 104 yards, and Alston ran for 79 yards on 23 carries.

Both teams are now 3-2, with North Texas 1-0 in conference play and Tulsa 0-1. On October 10, the Mean Green host Charlotte and Tulsa travels to Navy.