North Texas overcomes Tulsa rally, replay controversy in 45-44 OT thriller

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North Texas overcomes Tulsa rally, replay controversy in 45-44 OT thriller

DENTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 26: North Texas Mean Green running back Jahiem White (1) scores a touchdown and celebrates during the game between the North Texas Mean Green and the Houston Christian Huskies on September 26, 2026 at DATCU Stadium in Denton,Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Steve Helwick

Fri, Oct 2, 2026 ·

7 min read

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The clock struck after midnight during overtime at H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, turning a Thursday night thriller into Friday morning madness.

And after the final snap, both teams simultaneously put their hands up in celebration, each believing it had won the game. But who did, Tulsa or North Texas?

North Texas struck first in overtime with a touchdown to go up 45-38, and Tulsa responded with six points of its own. But instead of sending the game into double-overtime, Tulsa head coach Tre Lamb decided there would only be one play remaining, electing to go for two and the win.

The Golden Hurricane dialed up a touch pass to their speedy 5'8" wide receiver Oran Singleton Jr. Two tight ends were tasked with blocking three North Texas defenders, creating an unfavorable math equation for Tulsa to reach the end zone. The unblocked Mean Green linebacker Brenden Reese dove at Singleton's feet, causing the receiver to stumble into a pile composed of the two tight ends the two other North Texas defenders. Singleton then extended the football across the goal line with his right arm for what appeared to be a potential game-winning score.

The ruling on the field was that Singleton was stopped short. After review, the call was upheld, as Singleton's right shin appeared to hit the ground before he extended the ball across the goal line. It required more than four quarters of effort, but North Texas escaped a wild Thursday night in Tulsa with a 45-44 victory, improving to 4-0 in overtime since 2021 — with all four wins coming on the road.

It was only fitting the overtime matchup was decided in the replay booth, as the replay booth had been the story of regulation.

North Texas trailed 14-3 early but sucked the energy out of the building by rattling off a 28-3 run to seize a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter. Tulsa refused to go out quietly. Facing a 31-17 deficit, the Golden Hurricane marched down the field to the North Texas 5-yard line, where they faced a 1st-and-goal. Then came one of the most controversial plays of the 2026 season.

Tulsa quarterback Baylor Hayes nearly threw a goal line interception, but the ball ricocheted off the gloves of Mean Green cornerback Peyton Taylor. After the ball made contact with Taylor's hands, Tulsa wide receiver David Wells Jr. planted his right foot out of bounds, lifted it, and caught the ball with his left foot inbounds while tapping his right toe onto the blue paint of the end zone.

The play was initially ruled a touchdown rather than illegal touching. After a lengthy review, the call was upheld — a decision that stunned ESPN rules analyst Jerry McGinn on the broadcast.

The controversial touchdown provided Tulsa the spark it needed to mount a comeback.

SAN MARCOS, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: North Texas Mean Green head coach Neal Brown watches action during game featuring the North Texas Mean Green and the Texas State Bobcats on September 19, 2026 at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Golden Hurricane then knotted the score midway through the fourth quarter on another Hayes to Wells connection on a critical 4th-and-goal. This time, Wells bobbled the ball through contact but ultimately secured the touchdown reception before hitting the ground.

North Texas' explosive offense regained control instantly, flying 75 yards downfield in four plays as Tayven Jackson continued his second half domination. The UCF transfer quarterback completed 12 of his first 13 attempts after halftime, delivering three touchdown strikes over that span, including the go-ahead strike to Justin Stevenson with 6:45 remaining.

But on the ensuing North Texas drive, Tulsa's defense finally forced Jackson into an uncomfortable situation. On 3rd-and-13, cornerback JD Drew intercepted Jackson, giving Tulsa favorable field position at the North Texas 38-yard line. The offense, which only reached the red zone six times in its first four games, capitalized with one of its six red zone touchdowns Thursday night. On this particular drive, Hayes was the hero. After missing the prior two games with a knee injury, the sophomore quarterback made a triumphant return to the lineup, delivering a 10-yard rushing touchdown with 31 seconds remaining to force overtime.

Overtime encapsulated the story of the game: North Texas' offense had more firepower in the matchup.

The Mean Green racked up 22 yards on the first snap of overtime, proving to be more explosive than Tulsa throughout the four-hour affair. North Texas out-gained the Golden Hurricane 559-352, with a bevy of transfers shining under the lights. Jackson collected 332 passing yards and four touchdowns, but the most lethal offensive player on the visiting sideline was Jahiem White.

DENTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 26: North Texas Mean Green running back Jahiem White (1) does the Gritty dance after scoring a touchdown during the game between the North Texas Mean Green and the Houston Christian Huskies on September 26, 2026 at DATCU Stadium in Denton,Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The former West Virginia running back shattered his career-high with 219 rushing yards in a gritty performance. White limped off the field in the first half and moved gingerly throughout the contest, but he still remained unstoppable across 32 carries. He was at his best in the third quarter, sprinting 84 yards downfield to set up a Jackson to Kyle Koch touchdown connection. Less than three minutes of action later, White punched in a touchdown of his own to cap North Texas' 28-3 run.

Tulsa, which had not eclipsed 24 points in three games against FBS competition, produced its most prolific offensive performance of the season. Hayes delivered 211 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns in his triumphant return, while running back Damari Alston provided quality support on the ground. As improved as the offense was, the Golden Hurricane stayed within striking distance because to their defense. They won the turnover battle 3-0 and converted those takeaways into 17 points.

Tulsa (3-2, 0-1 American) was the second-last remaining unbeaten in the American, but the Golden Hurricane have now dropped two consecutive matchups. Prior to Thursday night, they had not trailed at home this season, — including against a ranked Oklahoma State team featuring North Texas' 2025 coaching staff and several of its stars. While Tulsa is 6-2 in non-conference play under Tre Lamb, this loss drops the Golden Hurricane to 1-8 against its American peers over the second-year head coach's tenure. The Golden Hurricane will look to improve upon the latter record when they visit Navy on Saturday, Oct. 10.

North Texas (3-2, 1-0 American) has now won seven consecutive regular season conference games. The Mean Green reached the American Championship Game last December and are taking the correct first steps toward a return trip under first-year head coach Neal Brown and his revamped roster. North Texas' No. 9-ranked total offense showcased its mettle on the road Thursday night, overcoming an 11-point scoreboard deficit, a minus-3 turnover deficit, and a replay controversy to escape with a statement conference victory. Now, the Mean Green return to Denton to host Charlotte on Oct. 10 with a chance to sustain the momentum.

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