Tag: North Texas

QB Drew Mestemaker commits to Oklahoma State, joins UNT coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

North Texas star quarterback Drew Mestemaker is following coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State and told ESPN on Saturday that he has committed to the Big 12 school.

Mestemaker is the national passing-yardage leader with 4,379 yards, second-most by a freshman in FBS history behind only Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (4,435 in 2021).

He also fired 34 touchdowns and was intercepted nine times while guiding the Mean Green to a school-best 12-2 record.

Mestemaker said his comfort level with Morris – hired by Oklahoma State in late November – and new offensive coordinator Sean Brophy (his QBs coach at North Texas) were big factors in his decision.

“I think just the relationships that I’ve built there with Coach Morris, Coach Brophy and that whole staff, offense and defense,” Mestemaker told ESPN. “I think Coach Morris is the best playcaller in the nation. The insight he has, and the way he sees offense, and the way he makes me at quarterback comfortable in everything we are running.

“I feel like he sets me up for success in everything that he calls.”

Mestemaker rarely saw the field at quarterback in high school and played sparingly in 2024 at North Texas before exploding on the scene this season.

He passed for two or more touchdowns 11 times and topped 300 yards on five occasions. He set a school record with 608 passing yards in a 54-20 road victory over Charlotte on Oct. 24.

His final game for North Texas came in a 49-47 win over San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 27. He completed 27 of 47 passes for 250 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Now Mestemaker will test himself at the power-conference level with the lone college coach who was willing to bring him aboard after high school.

“To have a coach really be the first person to take a chance on me and trust me, I feel like I owe him that back in some sort,” Mestemaker said of Morris. “I think he’s the best at his job in the world, and I 100% believe in him, too. That trust that we’ve built is bigger than just on the football field.”

Oklahoma State also could soon land North Texas star running back Caleb Hawkins, the national leader with 29 touchdowns, which also rates as an FBS record for a freshman.

Hawkins rushed for 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns and caught 32 passes for 370 yards and four scores for the Mean Green.

Hawkins posted on social media Friday that he was taking a visit to Oklahoma State this weekend.

–Field Level Media

North Texas star QB Drew Mestemaker entering transfer portal

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North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who leads FBS with 4.379 passing yards and 34 passing touchdowns this season, announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Monday.

Mestemaker, who was an unranked recruit out of Austin, Texas in the 2024 class, had a breakout redshirt freshman season after playing sparingly as a true freshman. He was named the American Conference Offensive Player of the year and led the Mean Green (12-2) to a program-record win total, three more games than the program had ever won in a season.

“After much thought and prayer, I’ve made the decision to enter my name into the transfer portal,” Mestemaker said in a post on his X account. “This was not an easy choice. My time at North Texas has meant more to me than I can ever fully express. North Texas was the only school that believed in me enough to give me an opportunity as a walk-on when others didn’t, and for that, this place will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Mestemaker had previously said he would announce his decision after North Texas’ New Mexico Bowl clash vs. San Diego State, which the Mean Green won 49-47 on Saturday.

Mestemaker’s 4,379 yards were the second-most by a freshman in FBS history behind only Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (4,435 in 2021). He set a program record with 608 passing yards along with four touchdowns in a 54-20 win over Charlotte on Oct. 24.

Mestemaker immediately becomes one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s transfer portal, joining the likes of Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and Florida’s DJ Lagway.

It’s the latest blow in what have been a rough few days for the Mean Green under new coach Neal Brown. Running back Caleb Hawkins, who set a national freshman record with 29 total touchdowns this season, and receiver Wyatt Young, who was third nationally with 1,264 receiving yards, both announced their intentions to enter the portal on Sunday.

It remains to be seen if any of the trio will follow former North Texas coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State or if they’ll be open to other options.

–Field Level Media

North Texas star RB Caleb Hawkins headed to transfer portal

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North Texas star running back Caleb Hawkins, the national leader with 29 touchdowns, announced Sunday that he will enter the transfer portal.

The freshman sensation rushed for 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns and caught 32 passes for 370 yards and four scores for the Mean Green (12-2).

Hawkins’ 29 total touchdowns are a record for a freshman. Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon set the old mark of 28 in 2012.

“Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Mean Green football,” Hawkins said on social media. “I’m grateful to the coaching staff for believing in me and giving me the chance to grow as both an athlete and a person. …

“After much thought, I have decided to officially enter the NCAA transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining. I will always cherish my time at North Texas.

Hawkins capped his campaign with 198 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries and also had a scoring reception in Saturday’s 49-47 victory over San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl.

The resident of Shawnee, Okla., could look to return home. Eric Morris was hired away from North Texas to be the new head coach at Oklahoma State. Neal Brown will be the new coach of the Mean Green.

Another option might be Texas, which has so far lost four running backs to the transfer portal.

North Texas also is awaiting word from star quarterback Drew Mestemaker, whose 4,379 passing yards are second most in FBS history for a freshman, trailing Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (4,435 in 2021).

He previously said he will announce a decision following the bowl game.

–Field Level Media

No. 25 North Texas outscores San Diego State in wild New Mexico Bowl

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Caleb Hawkins ran for 198 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries and caught a pass for another score as No. 25 North Texas outlasted short-handed San Diego State 49-47 on Saturday in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque.

The Mean Green (12-2) won a dozen games in a season for the first time while snapping a streak of seven straight bowl losses.

Record-setting quarterback Drew Mestemaker passed for 250 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for North Texas, who racked up 618 yards of total offense. Ashton Gray added 152 yards and two TDs on 16 totes as the Mean Green totaled 368 on the ground.

San Diego State quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns in a quarter and a half before suffering a left shoulder injury. His backup, Kyle Crum, passed for 169 yards and a score and ran for two other TDs for the Aztecs (9-4), who had 532 yards of total offense including 326 rushing.

Down by 22 points heading into the fourth quarter, San Diego State scored two touchdowns in a minute and 22 seconds, with the second coming on a 63-yard punt return by Nathan Acevedo that culled the Aztecs’ deficit to 42-34.

After a 31-yard TD pass from Mestemaker to Cameron Dormer with 6:08 to play pushed the North Texas lead back to 15 points, Christian Washington ran 11 yards for a TD a minute and a half later to make it 49-40 and give San Diego State a modicum of hope.

A final Crum 1-yard keeper for TD with 1 second left was mere window dressing.

Hawkins’ 9-yard TD run on the game’s opening possession gave the Mean Green the early lead. San Diego State pulled to 7-6 on Emanuel’s 8-yard scoring run with 6:57 to play in the first quarter.

Gray’s 17-yard scoring run at the 3:18 mark of the first quarter — five plays after he gained 34 yards on a fake punt — put North Texas up 14-6. Mestemaker’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Hawkins with 10 seconds left in the quarter propelled the Mean Green to a 15-point advantage.

The Aztecs swung back, with Emanuel getting loose for a 72-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter. Gray reeled off a 51-yard scoring run to rebuild North Texas’ lead before Crum connected with Jackson Ford with a 3-yard TD pass that made in 28-20 at halftime.

Hawkins produced his second rushing TD — this one from 3 yards away — with 6:34 to play in the third quarter. Mestemaker then hit Dormer on a 1-yard scoring pass to stoke North Texas’ lead to 42-20.

Crum answered with an 11-yard run three minutes into the fourth quarter for the Aztecs to spark their late comeback.

–Field Level Media

San Diego State challenges No. 25 North Texas’ historic season in New Mexico Bowl

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No. 25 North Texas looks to cap the best season in program history by breaking a baffling bowl jinx when it squares off with dangerous San Diego State on Saturday afternoon in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, N.M.

The game will be a clash of strengths, with the Mean Green (11-2) boasting one of the nation’s most explosive teams and the Aztecs (9-3) ranked among FBS’ best defenses.

North Texas set a school record for wins with coach Eric Morris at the helm, but he left to be the head man at Oklahoma State following the Mean Green’s 34-21 loss to Tulane in the American championship game on Dec. 5.

That loss snapped a six-game win streak for the Mean Green and kept them from earning a spot — taken by Tulane — in the College Football Playoff.

“These guys are locked in,” North Texas interim coach Drew Svoboda said. “Initially, obviously, coming off a loss in the American Conference championship game, there was a lot of disappointment in that locker room.

“When we brought everybody back and had a chance to get all these guys together and talk about the goal and what’s still in front of this football team, we realized they’re excited to play.”

North Texas’ most recent win in a bowl game was the Heart of Dallas Bowl that ended the 2013 season. In the 12 seasons since, the Mean Green have lost seven consecutive bowl games.

The Mean Green are led by second-year quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who has said he will evaluate his future after the season. It’s all but written in stone that Mestemaker — who at this time last year was preparing to make his first start since his freshman year of high school — will be heading to the transfer portal, as soon as right after Saturday’s game.

Mestemaker threw for a national-best 4,129 yards and his 31 touchdown passes rank second to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of Indiana. Mestemaker earned AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors.

“I just go at it every day and give it my best shot,” Mestemaker said. “That was my mentality when I first got here, showing up as quarterback five or six. I had to grind my way up every day.”

The Mean Green rank first in the FBS in scoring offense (44.8 points per game) and total offense (504.3 yards per game) as well as second in passing (323.2 ypg) and third in passing efficiency (174.3 rating).

The Aztecs head into Saturday’s game after a 23-17 double-overtime loss on Nov. 28 at New Mexico that cost San Diego State a berth in the Mountain West championship game. The Aztecs tied with Boise State, New Mexico and UNLV atop the league standings, but was left out of the title game because computer rankings determined the participants.

“In the history of this proud program, there are not very many teams that got to 10 (wins),” San Diego State coach Sean Lewis said. “(If you get) six to seven wins, you are a good team. Eight to nine (wins), you are a great team. You get to double digits, that is an elite level that not many teams will get to year in and year out.”

The Aztecs rank fifth in the nation in scoring defense (12.6 PPG), third in pass efficiency defense (99.1 rating), fourth in pass defense (157.0 ypg) and sixth in total defense (266.7 ypg). San Diego State has allowed just 151 points, including 38 on Nov 8 at Hawaii and 36 on Sept. 6 at Washington State. In the other 10 games, the Aztecs surrendered just 77 points.

San Diego State will play without starting quarterback Jayden Denegal, who underwent surgery on Dec. 17 to repair an injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Denegal suffered the injury against Stony Brook on Aug. 28 during the team’s first game. He played the rest of the year while wearing a protective harness.

The Aztecs are 10-10 in their 20 bowl appearances, with their most recent bowl game a 25-23 loss to Middle Tennessee in the 2022 Hawaii Bowl. San Diego State’s last bowl win was a 38-24 decision over UTSA in the 2021 Frisco Bowl.

–Field Level Media

No. 23 North Texas names interim coach for bowl game

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No. 25 North Texas named Drew Svoboda as its interim coach for the New Mexico Bowl on Tuesday.

Svoboda has been the associate head coach for the Mean Green for the past three seasons under Eric Morris.

Morris departed to become the head coach at Oklahoma State after compiling an 11-2 record this season.

North Texas hired former West Virginia coach Neal Brown to become its new head coach on Dec. 2.

Morris had offered to finish the season at North Texas, which was knocked out of contention for a College Football Playoff spot in last Friday’s 34-21 loss to Tulane in the American Conference title game.

“After several thoughtful conversations with coach Eric Morris over the past week, we mutually agreed that with his impending transition to Oklahoma State, the best path forward for both programs is for Eric to turn his full attention to his new role in Stillwater,” UNT athletic director Jared Mosley said in a statement Tuesday.

North Texas will face San Diego State (9-3) in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 27 in Albuquerque.

Before joining the Mean Green, Svoboda was a senior special assistant for special teams and offense at Alabama under Nick Saban.

–Field Level Media

No. 20 Tulane handles No. 24 UNT for American title, eyes CFP bid

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Quarterback Jake Retzlaff rushed for two touchdowns and safety Jack Tchienchou was involved in three big plays to help put No. 20 Tulane on the doorstep of earning a College Football Playoff berth with a 34-21 victory over No. 24 North Texas in the American Conference championship game on Friday at New Orleans.

Jamauri McClure rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown for the Green Wave (11-2), who are in prime position to land a CFP berth as one of the top five conference champions. Chris Rodgers returned an interception for a touchdown and Retzlaff completed 13 of 22 passes for 145 yards and added 49 yards on the ground.

Drew Mestemaker connected on 21 of 34 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions for North Texas (11-2). Tre Williams III and Miles Coleman caught scoring passes and Ashton Gray ran for a touchdown for the Mean Green.

North Texas star running back Caleb Hawkins left early in the second quarter due to a left arm injury. Hawkins is the national leader in both rushing touchdowns (23) and total touchdowns (26). He had 20 yards on seven carries before exiting.

Both coaches were guiding their teams despite landing other jobs. Tulane’s Jon Sumrall will become the coach of Florida, and North Texas’ Eric Morris is taking over at Oklahoma State.

Tchienchou forced a fumble with the blow that caused Hawkins to leave the game. LJ Green returned it 34 yards to the North Texas 37-yard line.

Two plays later, McClure scored on a 7-yard run to give the Green Wave a 14-7 lead with 12:29 left in the half. The lead grew to 10 when Patrick Durkin booted a 30-yard field goal with 5:46 remaining.

Late in the half, Alec Clark’s punt hit North Texas’ Baron Tipton in the leg and Tchienchou recovered at the Mean Green 13 with 50 seconds left. Tulane cashed in when Retzlaff scored on fourth-and-goal from the 1 as time expired for a 24-7 halftime lead.

Midway through the third quarter, a deflection off the hands of North Texas’ Wyatt Young was plucked by Rogers, who ran 35 yards for a score to give the Green Wave a 24-point lead.

North Texas then drove to a first-and-goal at the Tulane 2. Mestemaker threw the ball to a wide-open Young, and the pass went off his hand and directly to Tchienchou for an interception with 3:58 left in the third.

With 16 seconds remaining in the quarter, Mestemaker hit Coleman on a 59-yard score.

North Texas crept within 31-21 on Gray’s 9-yard scoring run followed by his two-point conversion run with 9:26 remaining in the game.

Durkin kicked a 30-yard field goal to boost the Tulane lead to 13 with 2:51 remaining.

Tulane’s Jahiem Johnson intercepted Mestemaker in the end zone with one minute left to seal the victory.

In the first quarter, Mestemaker tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Williams, and Tulane responded with Retzlaff’s 2-yard run.

–Field Level Media

North Texas taps Neal Brown as new head coach

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North Texas hired veteran offensive mind Neal Brown to replace the departing Eric Morris as head coach, the school announced Tuesday.

Brown landed a five-year contract with the Mean Green, according to ESPN.

The 45-year-old from Kentucky amassed a decade of major head coaching experience at West Virginia (2019-24) and Troy (2015-18), where he compiled an overall record of 72-51 and went 5-1 in bowl games.

Brown previously was the offensive coordinator for high-flying Kentucky, Texas Tech and Troy squads. He joined Steve Sarkisian’s Texas staff in 2025 as a special assistant.

“Neal is a proven leader who builds programs with integrity, vision and an unwavering commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field,” North Texas athletics director Jared Mosley said in a statement.

“His history of elevating rosters, developing talent and producing results in highly competitive leagues makes him an ideal fit for North Texas. We are confident that his leadership will position the Mean Green for sustained success, and we look forward to the impact he and his family will have on our program and our community for years to come.”

Morris, who has been at North Texas since 2023, will see through the ongoing season and coach the Mean Green (11-1) in Friday night’s American Conference championship game at Tulane.

Morris is bound for Oklahoma State, which plans to introduce him as head coach on Monday.

Brown will attempt to build on a record campaign for the Mean Green, who won more than 10 games for the first time in program history and rose to No. 20 in this week’s AP Top 25 poll.

Beating No. 21 Tulane on Friday would extend the Mean Green’s winning streak to seven games and potentially send the Denton, Texas, program to its first College Football Playoff.

“Several key criteria drove my analysis of opportunities this cycle — alignment, relationships, resources, opportunity and community. Jared and his team presented a clear vision of why North Texas and Denton check all those boxes and then some,” Brown said.

“Football in Texas is special and my family and I can’t wait to pour everything we have into the North Texas campus and Denton. Most importantly, our program will always be a player-driven program, and I look forward to getting to know this team and building our roster for the future.”

–Field Level Media

Reports: Oklahoma State hiring North Texas coach Eric Morris

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Oklahoma State plans to make North Texas’ Eric Morris its next head football coach, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

Oklahoma State parted with Mike Gundy in September, three games into his 21st season at the helm of the program. The Cowboys were 1-2 following a loss to Tulsa and have dropped to 1-10 since Doug Meacham took over as interim coach.

Morris will stay with North Texas through the remainder of the season and any postseason games the Mean Green make. A win this Friday against Temple would clinch North Texas’ spot in the American Conference championship game, and though currently unranked, the Mean Green have a shot at reaching the College Football Playoff if they finish as the highest-ranked Group of Five champion.

Morris, 40, is a Texas native who played wide receiver at Texas Tech and served in coaching capacities at Houston, Washington State and Texas Tech. He was the head coach of Incarnate Word from 2018-21 and went 24-18 in that span, coaching the Cardinals to two FCS playoff appearances.

After spending 2022 as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Washington State, he took over at North Texas, where he has gone 21-15 to date.

–Field Level Media

Oct 10, 2025; Denton, Texas, USA; North Texas Mean Green quarterback Drew Mestemaker (17) warms up prior to a game against the South Florida Bulls at DATCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

UNT’s Drew Mestemaker sets conference record with 608 passing yards

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North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker set school and American Conference records by throwing for 608 yards on Friday in a 54-20 road victory over Charlotte.

The redshirt freshman connected on 37 of 49 passes, hitting receivers for four touchdowns and getting intercepted once.

North Texas’ Daniel Meager held the old program and conference marks with a 601-yard game against SMU on Sept. 8, 2007.

While Mestemaker’s passing-yardage total was eyepopping, it didn’t come close to the FBS single-game record of 734 yards. That mark was first achieved by Washington State’s Connor Halliday against Cal on Oct. 4, 2014, and was matched by Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes against Oklahoma on Oct. 22, 2016.

Mestemaker ranks 17th in terms of single-game passing yards, and he is the 22nd player to top 600 yards in one contest.

–Field Level Media