No. 23 North Texas Outlasts San Diego State to Win High-Scoring New Mexico Bowl

Published: Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 3:46 am

North Texas Wins Thrilling New Mexico Bowl Against San Diego State

In a high-scoring contest, No. 23 North Texas emerged victorious over San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl, with a final score of 49-47. The game, marked by explosive offensive performances from both sides, saw North Texas's Caleb Hawkins lead the charge with two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Ashton Gray contributed with two rushing touchdowns, while Cameron Dormer secured two receiving touchdowns.

Hawkins's impressive performance included 197 rushing yards on 30 carries, with scoring runs of 9 and 3 yards, in addition to a 23-yard touchdown reception. Gray added 152 rushing yards on 16 attempts. Dormer's six receptions for 66 yards included touchdown catches of 1 and 31 yards. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker completed 27 of 47 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns for North Texas.

San Diego State kept the game competitive, particularly due to the efforts of backup quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., who rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a wrist injury in the second quarter. His replacement, Kyle Crum, struggled to replicate Emanuel's rushing threat, though he did manage two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

North Texas dominated the third quarter, scoring twice while limiting San Diego State to just 11 total yards. Entering the fourth quarter with a 42-20 lead, North Texas saw San Diego State mount a comeback, including a punt return touchdown by Nathan Acevedo and Crum's two rushing touchdowns. However, Dormer's second touchdown catch, a 31-yard reception, extended North Texas's lead. San Diego State scored twice late in the game, but ultimately fell short.

Looking ahead, North Texas will focus on securing a permanent head coach. San Diego State will begin its move to the revamped Pac-12 with a home game against Portland State.

BNN's Perspective: This was a thrilling game showcasing the excitement of college football. While the high scores and offensive displays were entertaining, the defensive struggles of both teams highlight the need for balance in the sport. Both teams have promising futures, and it will be interesting to see how they develop in the coming seasons.

Keywords: North Texas, San Diego State, New Mexico Bowl, Caleb Hawkins, Ashton Gray, Cameron Dormer, Drew Mestemaker, Bert Emanuel Jr., Kyle Crum, College Football, Football, NCAA, Score, Touchdowns, Rushing Yards, Passing Yards, Pac-12

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