The North Texas Mean Green football team made history on Saturday night at Rice Stadium by achieving their first-ever 10-win season as a member of the FBS. The momentous achievement came after they overcame a 14-0 deficit to dominate Rice with a stunning 56-24 victory. This win not only marks a milestone for the program but also brings them closer to their first appearance in the American Conference Championship Game.
Head coach Eric Morris expressed his pride in the team, highlighting their resilience and ability to play strong football during critical stretches of the game. North Texas produced an impressive total of 640 offensive yards, continuing their reign as the FBS’s top scoring offense by hitting the 50-point mark for the sixth time this season. Notably, the Mean Green scored touchdowns on eight of their ten possessions, never taking more than four minutes for any drive.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Mestemaker delivered a remarkable performance, throwing for 469 yards on just 19 completions while securing three touchdown passes and another rushing touchdown. This impressive outing marked Mestemaker’s second time surpassing 450 yards and his fifth consecutive game with a completion rate of over 72%. His efficiency and ability to distribute the ball effectively were praised by Rice head coach Scott Abell.
Adding to the standout performances, true freshman Caleb Hawkins had an extraordinary game with 97 rushing yards and three touchdowns. This achievement marked Hawkins’ fourth game this season with at least three touchdowns, bringing his total to 22 for the year. His contributions on the field cement his status as a strong candidate for the Freshman All-American team.
The evening’s most remarkable highlight came from wide receiver Wyatt Young, who shattered the 2025 single-season FBS record with an astonishing 295 receiving yards. Young’s record-setting performance saw him make only eight catches, including two long touchdown receptions that set the tone for the game.
Despite North Texas’s initial struggles against Rice’s option attack, which quickly resulted in a 14-point deficit, the Mean Green defense made a critical adjustment. After stopping a crucial fourth-down attempt by Rice early in the second quarter, they regained control of the game and forced four consecutive punts. Outside linebacker Ethan Wesloski stood out defensively, recording 17 tackles and playing a pivotal role in dismantling the Rice offense.
For Rice, this defeat was a significant setback as they sought to achieve bowl eligibility on senior day. With a record of 5-6, the Owls now face a challenging matchup against South Florida next week in their final attempt to reach the six-win mark for just the second time since 2014.
North Texas’s victory positions them one step closer to the American Conference Championship Game and potentially the College Football Playoff. The Mean Green requires a victory against Temple next Saturday to secure their place in the title game. As Morris emphasized, the focus remains on their upcoming game as they aim to build on the most successful season in the program’s history. The hope within the team is palpable, as they continue to pursue their goals with determination and teamwork.