North Texas clinches American Championship Game in 52-25 win over Temple

Denton, TX had been a place of interest in the college football world all year long, considering the North Texas Mean Green are in the midst of their best season in history. But this week particularly, a microscope was on the program considering head coach Eric Morris officially accepted a job at Oklahoma State on Tuesday — three days before North Texas’ regular season finale home game vs. Temple.

But Morris made a unique decision, electing to coach the remainder of North Texas’ season while sworn into Oklahoma State’s staff. With the distractions and rumors settled, the Mean Green went straight to business, and nothing changed.

The No. 1 scoring offense in the country did its usual deed in a 52-25 thrashing of Temple, collecting 605 yards and generating its seventh 50-point outing of the year — its fifth in a 6-game span. At the end, a reward was waiting. North Texas officially clinched a spot in the American Conference Championship Game in just its third year holding membership in the league.

Under the offensive guru Morris, North Texas’ skill position players enjoyed their usual video game numbers. Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Mestemaker — a bona fide Heisman Trophy candidate — concluded his regular season with 3,835 passing yards (currently first in the FBS) behind his 366 yards and three touchdowns on Temple. The quarterback completed 20-of-24 attempts for his fifth-straight game completing at least 72 percent of passes and second-straight game with 350+ yards and three touchdowns on a completion percentage north of 82. And in true Mestemaker fashion, he avoided throwing a pick, finishing his 10th regular season start interception free.

But North Texas is more than just an air raid, and true freshman tailback Caleb Hawkins continues to prove that. The young running back broke free for 186 rushing yards — his third 180+ yard game in his last four outings. The touchdown machine, who ranks first in the FBS in rushing touchdowns, continued to run up his numbers with four scores against an Owl defense that couldn’t solve the Mean Green. Hawkins now has 16 rushing touchdowns across his last four games alone and 23 on the season as a lock for the Freshman All-American Team.

Other stellar offensive showings include wide receivers Wyatt Young and Cameron Dorner. One week after setting the 2025 single season receiving yards record, Young attained 127 yards on a team-high six catches — hauling in his fourth 60+ yard reception in three weeks. Then Dorner added a season-best 125 yards and a touchdown on four snags, living out a storybook senior day Friday evening in Denton.

North Texas, which ranks second in the FBS in turnover margin, actually lost the turnover battle to a Temple team which ranks top 10 in the same category. The Mean Green fumbled twice, but also forced the Owls’ fourth turnover of the year on a rare Evan Simon interception. Temple only completed 13-of-33 passes against a sturdy North Texas aerial defense, which forced four first half punts to concoct a 35-7 halftime advantage.

Temple (5-7, 3-5 American) will miss Bowl Season for the sixth-straight season. The Owls were in prime position at 5-3, but they end K.C. Keeler’s debut season with four-consecutive defeats, facing a gauntlet of a schedule in November.

North Texas (11-1, 7-1 American) continues its best season ever by resetting the program record at 11 wins. The Mean Green secured a spot in the American Conference Championship on Friday, Dec. 5, but the opponent is to be determined. Should heavily-favored Tulane defeat Charlotte, Eric Morris and Co. will travel to New Orleans for the matchup. If the 49ers produce arguably the most stunning upset of 2025, North Texas will host Navy in Denton. The winner of the championship potentially clinches a spot in the College Football Playoff, based on the committee’s rankings.