HOUSTON — Drew Mestemaker threw for 469 yards and three touchdowns, Wyatt Young set an American Conference record with 295 yards receiving and two scores, and North Texas rallied from an early deficit to beat Rice 56-24 on Saturday night.

Mestemaker went 19 of 23 and completed touchdown passes of 74 and 84 yards to Young and 56 yards to Tre Williams III in the first half. The quarterback also rushed for a 1-yard score in the third quarter as the Mean Green (10-1, 6-1 American) scored 42 straight points after Rice jumped out to a 14-0 lead.

Young had the most receiving yards in a Division I game this season, surpassing TCU’s Eric McAlister, who had 254 yards against SMU on Sept. 20.

Caleb Hawkins rushed for 97 yards and three touchdowns for North Texas, which is ranked for the first time since 1959. North Texas outgained Rice 640 yards to 397 in winning its fifth straight game.

The Mean Green scored at least 50 points for the sixth time this season.

Chase Jenkins was 14 of 21 for 101 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 75 yards and a score for Rice (5-6, 2-5). Aaron Turner rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown and had 58 yards receiving and a score.