The 2016 North Texas Mean Green football team represented the University of North Texas as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Seth Littrell, the Mean Green compiled an overall record of 5–8 with a mark 3–5 in conference play, placing fourth in C-USA's West Division. Because there were not enough six-win bowl eligible teams, North Texas received a bowl invitation as a 5–7 team with the highest Academic Progress Rate (APR) score. The Mean Green were invited to the Heart of Dallas Bowl, where they lost to Army in overtime. The team played home games at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas.
Schedule North Texas announced its 2016 football schedule on February 4, 2016. The schedule consisted of six home and six away games in the regular season.
Game summaries SMU
Bethune–Cookman
After falling to FCS Portland State 66–7 the previous season, the Mean Green soundly beat FCS Bethune–Cookman 41–20. Mason Fine entered the game as North Texas's quarterback midway through the 3rd quarter following an Alec Morris interception that was returned for a touchdown. Fine would later be named as the starter for the Mean Green.
At Florida
At Rice
The Mean Green traveled to Houston to open up conference play against the Rice Owls. UNT won over Rive 42–35 in double overtime after trailing 17–0. With the win, the Mean Green improved to an overall record of 2–2, and surpassed their win total from the previous season.
Middle Tennessee
Marshall
Marshall entered the game with a 76.6% win probability against North Texas, but the Mean Green came out on top over the Thundering Herd with a 38–21 victory. This is North Texas's first ever win over Marshall.
At Army
At UTSA
Louisiana Tech
At WKU
Southern Miss
At UTEP
Army—Heart of Dallas Bowl
References