Denton, Texas — The college football season couldn’t have started any better for the North Texas Mean Green. A record crowd in attendance tonight, 29,519 at Apogee Stadium witnessed Mason Fine and the UNT aerial attack put on a clinic, resulting in a 46-23 victory over the Ponies. SMU was only a three point underdog despite coming off a disappointing loss in the Frisco Bowl to close out their 2017 campaign. The fireworks started early after a few stalled drives, Mason Fine finally got going about midway through the first and connected with Jalen Guyton from 15 yards out. A questionable targeting penalty on the Mustangs earlier in the drive gave the Mean Green new life. The junior QB and preseason All Conference USA selection didn’t look back from there. The Mean Green defense made it 14-0 in the first quarter after Kemon Hall picked off Ben Hicks for a 36 yard interception return for a TD. The junior QB for the Mustangs was feeling pressure all night as his running attack could not get going he was unable to generate offense until the game was already in hand for UNT. Braeden West had only 26 yards on 8 carries. Ben Hicks finished the night 12 for 24 with 252 yards adding two touchdowns in garbage time. The two teams exchanged big plays late in the 4th as defenses got tired on a hot night in Denton. Hicks connected with James Proche on a beautiful deep ball for 59 yards to make it 39-15 only to see DeAndre Torrey return the ensuing kickoff 96 yards to put UNT up 46-15. Another long pass play for 71 yards, from Hicks to West and a successful two point attempt closed out the scoring at 46-23. Fine finished 40 of 50 for 444 yards and 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. SMU will go back home to face 16th rank TCU from Ford Stadium on Friday night and UNT will stay home and face Incarnate Word next Saturday.