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Final Score: Western Ky 31 - North Texas 21

Denton, TX (Sports Network) - Bobby Rainey ran for 214 yards and a touchdown, as Western Kentucky took down North Texas 31-21 at Apogee Stadium in a Sun Belt Conference battle.

Kawaun Jakes completed 19-of-29 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns as Western Kentucky (6-5, 6-1 Sun Belt) earned bowl eligibility for the first time since joining the Football Subdivision in 2009. Tight end Jack Doyle caught nine passes for a team-best 89 yards. Kiante Young anchored the Western Kentucky defense with seven tackles and an interception.

Derek Thompson led North Texas (4-7, 3-4) with 254 passing yards and two touchdowns. Brelan Chancellor led the team with 185 all-purpose yards and a receiving touchdown.

Western Kentucky opened up scoring just over five minutes after kickoff with a 42-yard field goal courtesy of Casey Tinius to make it 3-0.

North Texas took the lead with under two minutes remaining in the opening quarter as James Hamilton rushed four yards for a score.

The Hilltoppers took the lead back just over four minutes into the second period when Jakes completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Rainey to make it 10-7.

The Mean Green answered at the 4:43 mark of the second quarter when Thompson completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Chancellor to make it 14-10.

Western Kentucky answered with under two minutes remaining in the half when Jakes completed a 63-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Higbee to give the Hilltoppers a 17-14 lead at half.

Western Kentucky extended its lead in the final minute of the third quarter when Jakes completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell Henry to make extend the Hilltoppers' advantage to 24-14.

Western Kentucky put it out of reach when Rainey punched it in from a yard out with just under three minutes remaining in fourth quarter.

The Mean Green quickly rallied for one last touchdown as Thompson completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Chris Bynes with less than a minute remaining. Byne's touchdown reception finalized the score with Western Kentucky on top 31-21.

The Hilltoppers dominated the offensive battle as they finished with 483 yards of total offense to the Mean Green's 322.