Mean Green Off to Historic 5–0 Start Behind Backfield Duo of Mestemaker, Hawkins

DENTON, Texas — North Texas has started 5–0 for the first time since 1959, thanks in large part to sophomore quarterback Drew Mestemaker and freshman running back Caleb Hawkins. 

Mestemaker leads all college quarterbacks in passing yards without an interception, throwing for 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is one of the unlikeliest of heroes. He never started a game in high school and joined UNT as a walk-on. He made his first collegiate start in last season’s First Responder Bowl against Texas State, passing for 393 yards and rushing for another 55. He has since taken over the starting role from Chandler Morris, who transferred to Virginia. 

Hawkins has made an immediate impact in his debut season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound back has rushed for seven touchdowns and is averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He’s emerged as the lead back in a rotation that entered the season without a clear No. 1. In the Mean Green’s most recent game — a win over South Alabama — Hawkins ran for a career high 140 yards and two touchdowns. 

It will be a heavyweight matchup on Friday when this potent Mean Green offense takes on the stout USF defense who held a ranked Florida team to just 16 points in week two. 

UNT President Harrison Keller announced this week that all classes will be canceled after noon Friday to allow students to attend the game without academic conflicts. 

If UNT can pull off the win against on Friday I would fully expect them to be ranked, and planted firmly into the playoff race going into week seven.

Mason Garcia

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Associate Writer