North Texas turns big plays into 49-39 win over Navy for 4th straight victory

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Dalton Carnes returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown and Zakye Barker took a fumble 63 yards for another score in North Texas' 49-39 win over Navy on Saturday.

The Mean Green had two other scores for over 50 yards via Tayven Jackson's 53-yard pass to Justin Stevenson for a 42-25 lead in the third quarter and Jahiem White's 59-yard sprint in the fourth for the game's final points.

The Mean Green, coming in ranked in the top five nationally in passing, total and scoring offense, was edged in total yardage by Navy 506-477 and was penalized 80 yards to just 5 for the Midshipmen. But the big plays carried North Texas (5-2, 3-0 American) to its fourth straight win.

Stevenson finished with a career-high 209 yards receiving on eight catches with two TDs, including a 45-yard TD for the game's first points with the Mean Green remaining in front. White had 174 yards rushing on 20 carries with two scores. Jackson was 17-of-23 passing for 305 yards, three TDs and one interception.

Jackson Gutierrez rushed for three Navy (2-5, 1-4) touchdowns, gaining 228 yards on 26 carries, and threw for 156 yards and another touchdown.

North Texas: Home against Florida Atlantic next Thursday.

Navy: Plays No. 4-ranked Notre Dame at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, next Saturday.

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