Recap: Western Ky vs. North Texas

Bowling Green, KY (Sports Network) - Antonio Andrews rushed for 230 yards and the decisive score for Western Kentucky as the Hilltoppers sent the North Texas Mean Green off with a 25-24 victory at Houchens-Smith Stadium.

Kawaun Jakes completed only 14-of-29 passes for 173 yards and had a touchdown pass to match an interception for Western Kentucky (7-5, 4-4 Sun Belt). Austin Aikens caught just a pair of passes but had a team-high 60 yards receiving.

Brandin Byrd rushed for 102 yards and a score for North Texas (4-9, 3-5) which was playing its last game as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mean Green will move to Conference USA next season. Derek Thompson completed 18-of-25 pass attempts for 146 yards and a score but was picked off twice.

Jakes threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Jack Doyle late in the first quarter to give Western Kentucky a 7-0 lead.

North Texas didn't wait long to respond as Byrd scored on a 61-yard touchdown run on the third play of the ensuing drive.

The Mean Green then took a 17-7 lead midway through the second quarter on a 20-yard touchdown run from Jeremy Brown and a 22-yard field goal from Zach Olen.

That lead expanded at the end of the third quarter when Darnell Smith scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Thompson.

Trailing 24-10 early in the fourth quarter, Jonathan Dowling returned a Thompson interception 39 yards for a touchdown. An ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed though and Western Kentucky trailed 24-16.

The Hilltoppers would get a 27-yard field goal from Garrett Schwettman midway through the final period and with 3:30 left took the lead for good on a 21-yard touchdown run from Andrews.

Western Kentucky had a 388-299 edge in total offense.