The North Texas Mean Green (12-2) took on the San Diego State Aztecs (9-4) on Saturday night in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl. Both teams combined for a total of 96 points, the highest-scoring game of the bowl season.
The Mean Green led the Aztecs 42-20 heading into the fourth quarter. While North Texas scored seven more points, San Diego State stormed back to score 27 points, but ran out of time. The North Texas Mean Green snapped a seven-game bowl losing streak with a 49-47 win.
North Texas’s offense had 618 yards (250 yards passing, 368 yards rushing), 28 first downs, and the team was penalized 10 times for 90 yards. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker completed 27 of 47 passes (50%) for 250 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions, and two carries for 18 yards.
Running back Caleb Hawkins had 30 carries for 198 yards, two rushing touchdowns, three catches for 25 yards, and one touchdown, while Ashton Gray had 15 carries for 152 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Cameron Dorner made six catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns.
Kicker Miguel Arenas missed a field goal and made seven extra points. The defense made 74 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and four pass breakups.
San Diego State’s offense had 532 yards (206 yards passing, 326 yards rushing), 25 first downs, and the team was penalized eight times for 77 yards. Quarterback Kyle Crum completed 14 of 29 passes (48.3%) for 169 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, eight carries for 21 yards, and two rushing touchdowns.
Running back Bert Emanuel Jr. had 11 carries for 170 yards, two rushing touchdowns, while Christian Washington had 10 carries for 77 yards, and one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Nathan Acevedo made four catches for 61 yards, and Jackson Ford made two catches for 18 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Gabriel Plascencia missed a field goal and made five extra points. The defense made 99 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, one touchdown, and six pass breakups.
