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<\/a><\/p>\nALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – DECEMBER 27: Interim head coach Drew Svoboda of the North Texas Mean Green raises the championship trophy after his team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 49-47 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Photo by Sam Wasson\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
Even with Hawkins\u2019 dominance, there were still enough carries to go around for redshirt freshman Ashton Gray to more than triple his career-high with 152 rushing yards. Gray punched in two early touchdowns, including a 51-yard sprint, to allow North Texas to dominate the first half. With Mestemaker and the running backs delivering, the nation\u2019s top offense produced 618 yards in Albuquerque, pitted against the nation\u2019s 4th-best scoring defense and 6th-best total defense.<\/p>\n
San Diego State built a brand from its defense but only averaged 24.7 points per game prior to Saturday. In fact, the Aztecs won games by scores such as 6-3 and 17-7, oftentimes prevailing in a 60-minute showcase of complementary football. But head coach Sean Lewis and San Diego State properly adjusted to the shootout nature of the New Mexico Bowl and nearly kept pace with the American Conference runner-up. The Aztecs scored their most points vs. FBS competition since the 2019 New Mexico Bowl when they dominated Central Michigan 48-11.<\/p>\n
And most impressively, they did it without starting quarterback Jayden Denegal and top receiver Jordan Napier, who were both subject to season-ending injuries. And to make matters worse for San Diego State, the quarterback depth was even further thinned down when New Mexico Bowl starter Bert Emanuel Jr. left the game with an injury in the second quarter after generating 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries in the opening half. Kyle Crum provided the finishing efforts, contributing one passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns as the conductor of a near-jaw-dropping comeback.<\/p>\n
North Texas remained in control for the majority of the contest, establishing a 21-6 lead in the first quarter and concluding the third quarter in commanding 42-20 fashion. However, San Diego State added significant intrigue to the game by winning the fourth quarter 27-7. With 10:43 remaining, Nathan Acevedo trimmed the deficit to 42-34 on a 63-yard punt return. However, the Mean Green got their lickback on the ensuing drive. On a critical 4th and 4, Mestemaker fired a slant to Cameron Dorner, and the receiver cut upfield through two tacklers for a 31-yard score \u2014 his second of the game.<\/p>\n