UNT played without Terian Goree and Willie Robinson, two of its top receivers. Both were suspended for violations of team rules. Goree came into the day with a team-high 36 receptions for 328 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson had 18 catches for 222 yards. Goree had in all of UNT's 10 games. Robinson started in the Mean Green's season-opening loss to SMU and remained a key part of the rotation after being dropped from the starting lineup.
UNT led 17-0 at the end of the first quarter, when the Mean Green had struggled most of the season. UNT had been outscored 91-42 in the opening quarter heading into the game.