DENTON, Texas — Drew Mestemaker threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns, and North Texas forced two turnovers while holding Lamar to 119 total yards in a 51-0 rout on Saturday night at DATCU Stadium.

Mestemaker completed 24 of 32 passes and tossed scoring strikes to Wyatt Young and Cameron Dorner in the second quarter and again to Young from 32 yards out in the third. He also ran for a 2-yard touchdown on the Mean Green’s opening drive.

North Texas (1-0) put the game away with a 24-point second quarter that included Makenzie McGill’s 1-yard plunge, a 28-yard field goal from Kali Nguma, and a defensive score when Ethan Wesloski returned a fumble for a touchdown. Kiefer Sibley added a 1-yard TD run in the third quarter.

Young finished with four receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while Dorner had seven catches for 98 yards and a score. Miles Coleman added 52 receiving yards. The Mean Green outgained the Cardinals 462-119, including a 329-88 edge through the air.

Lamar (0-1) struggled offensively, averaging just 2.2 yards per play. Quarterback Robert Coleman went 13 of 24 for 88 yards with an interception and was sacked three times. Major Bowden was the Cardinals’ leading rusher with 21 yards on six carries.

The North Texas defense had three sacks, eight tackles for loss, and an interception by Trey Fields. Wesloski recorded seven tackles, forced a fumble, and recovered another.

The Mean Green led 37-0 at halftime and coasted the rest of the way, punting only twice all night.