DENTON, Texas (AP) - Ryan Aplin threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another score Saturday to lead Arkansas State to a 37-19 win over North Texas.
The Red Wolves (6-3, 4-1 Sun Belt) fell behind 2-0 on the game's first play, when the kickoff was fumbled in the end zone and Arkansas State recovered, giving North Texas a safety. But Aplin hit Julian Jones for a 59-yard touchdown for a 7-2 lead.
Aplin ran for a 5-yard score and connected with Kedric Murry for a 4-yard TD in the second quarter as the Red Wolves built a 30-12 lead by halftime.
It was Arkansas State's fourth straight win and the Red Wolves became bowl eligible with three games remaining.
Derek Thompson had 316 yards passing for North Texas (3-6, 2-3). He threw a TD pass and ran for another score. Darnell Smith had 107 yards receiving for the Mean Green.
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| Scoring Summary |
| NTEXAS | Team safety |
| ARKST | Julian Jones 59 yd pass from Ryan Aplin (Brian Davis kick) |
| NTEXAS | Derek Thompson 2 yd run (Zach Olen kick) |
| ARKST | Brian Davis 39 yd FG |
| ARKST | Ryan Aplin 5 yd run (missed kick) |
| NTEXAS | Zach Olen 43 yd FG |
| ARKST | David Oku 1 yd run (Brian Davis kick) |
| ARKST | Kedric Murry 4 yd pass from Ryan Aplin (Brian Davis kick) |
| NTEXAS | Antoinne Jimmerson 3 yd pass from Derek Thompson (Zach Olen kick) |
| ARKST | Rocky Hayes 19 yd run (Brian Davis kick) |
| Team Stats | ||
| ARKST | NTEXAS | |
| First Downs | 22 | 23 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 7-12 | 7-18 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 0-0 | 2-3 |
| Plays-Net Yards | 65-474 | 79-400 |
| Rushes-Yds | 33-146 | 30-84 |
| Passing Yds | 328 | 316 |
| Kick Return Yds | 13 | 77 |
| Punt Return Yds | 0 | 4 |
| Passes | 25-32-0 | 28-49-1 |
| Punts | 4-135 | 6-283 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 1-0 | 1-1 |
| Penalties-Yds | 8-89 | 4-38 |
| Time of Poss. | 27:57 | 32:3 |
| Individual Stats |
| RUSHING |
| ARKST: David Oku 17-71, Rocky Hayes 7-58, Frankie Jackson 4-17, Ryan Aplin 4-2, Team 1--2 |
| NTEXAS: Antoinne Jimmerson 13-35, Jeremy Brown 3-34, Brandin Byrd 11-17, Derek Thompson 3--2 |
| PASSING |
| ARKST: Ryan Aplin 25-32-328-0 |
| NTEXAS: Derek Thompson 28-47-316-1, Brent Osborn 0-2-0-0 |
| RECEIVING |
| ARKST: J.D. McKissic 10-96, Josh Jarboe 5-93, Taylor Stockemer 4-50, Rocky Hayes 2-15, Julian Jones 1-59, Andre Smith 1-7, David Oku 1-4, Kedric Murry 1-4 |
| NTEXAS: Darnell Smith 7-107, Carlos Harris 4-52, Andrew Power 3-50, Christopher Bynes 3-50, Drew Miller 3-16, Brandin Byrd 2-15, Antoinne Jimmerson 2-12, Jeremy Brown 2-2, Ivan Delgado 1-11, Tanner Smith 1-1 |
| Standings | |||
| Team | Standings | Conference | Overall |
| Arkansas State | 1st Sun Belt | 7-1 | 10-3 |
| North Texas | 6th Sun Belt | 3-5 | 4-8 |
