Jimmerson, Chancellor carry North Texas past Rice

DENTON, Texas -- Antoinne Jimmerson had a long touchdown run and Brelan Chancellor returned a punt for a score in a 1:35 span in the second quarter in North Texas' 28-16 victory over Rice on Thursday night. Jimmerson scored on a 42-yard run and Chancellor added a 65-yard return to give the Mean Green (6-3, 4-1 Conference USA) a 21-16 lead with 3:26 left in the first half. Derek Thompson threw a 46-yard scoring pass to Jimmerson in the third quarter to help North Texas become bowl eligibility for the first time since 2004. "We're not in a bowl yet, we're just bowl eligible," North Texas coach Dan McCarney said. "We've got a lot of work to do. But this is a major milestone. That was a great example of character out there. ... It was just a fabulous effort by the whole team.