UNT Football Finishes Historic Season with Dramatic New Mexico Bowl Victory
The University of North Texas football program made history this season, culminating in a thrilling 49-47 victory over San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl. With this win, the Mean Green capped off their first-ever 12-win season, finishing with an impressive record of 12-2.
Under the leadership of second-year head coach Eric Morris, the team set a new single-season school record for victories, surpassing all previous Mean Green teams. North Texas entered the postseason ranked in the national Top 25, achieving not only its first bowl win since joining the American Athletic Conference but also securing back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in school history.
The 2025 New Mexico Bowl proved to be a nail-biter, with a total of 96 combined points. After building a commanding 42-20 lead by the end of the third quarter, North Texas faced a dramatic rally from the Aztecs in the final moments. The decisive moment came with a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Mestemaker to Cameron Dorner, reclaiming a 49-34 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Mean Green’s defense then rose to the occasion, halting San Diego State’s potential game-tying drive just seconds before the final whistle.
Throughout the year, North Texas displayed one of the nation’s most potent passing attacks complemented by a relentless rushing game, chalking up an average of 512 yards per game. Mestemaker’s play at quarterback powered the attack, with the Mean Green surpassing 3,700 passing yards on the season and ranking among the top teams in the AAC through the air. In addition, All-America running back Caleb Hawkins led the nation with 29 total touchdowns as a freshman. Unfortunately, both players have announced that they will enter the transfer portal, leaving their future with the team unlikely.
As the Mean Green close out their 2025 season with a bowl trophy, a Top 25 ranking, and unprecedented success, questions remain about how the program will perform next year under new coach Neal Brown. However, even without their budding stars returning, the future looks bright for North Texas football as they continue to establish themselves as a powerhouse in the American Athletic Conference.
