*Middle Tennessee overtakes North Texas 37-21*

DENTON, Texas(AP) -- Quarterback Dwight Dasher ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more Saturday to lead Middle Tennessee State to a 37-21 victory over North Texas.

The Blue Raiders (3-1, 1-0) cashed in a pair of first-half turnovers for touchdowns for their third-straight win in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

Dasher rushed for 75 yards and threw for 269 yards. Lance Dunbar had scoring runs of 66 and 18 yards, and finished with 101 yards rushing for UNT (1-3, 0-1).

MTSU capped a 20-point second quarter by scoring on its final two drives of the first half. Dasher capped a 98-yard march by running in from 2 yards out before a 48-yard field goal by Alan Gendreau gave the Blue Raiders a 30-7 halftime lead.

North Texas was hampered by five turnovers, a missed field goal and a punt-return touchdown that was wiped out by a penalty.