(BCSNN) – North Texas capped the most successful season in school history with a fittingly dramatic finish. Behind a pair of explosive freshman running backs and another record‑breaking performance from its star quarterback, No. 25 UNT held off San Diego State 49-47 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl on Saturday night, snapping a seven‑game bowl losing streak and earning the program’s first bowl win since 2013.

The victory pushed the Mean Green to 12-2 — the first 12‑win season in school history — and punctuated a year defined by youth, resilience, and a rapidly rising ceiling.

Freshman running back Caleb Hawkins, fully recovered after an early injury in the American Championship Game, delivered the best performance of his young career. Hawkins carried 30 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns, added a receiving score, and earned Offensive MVP honors. His three touchdowns pushed him past Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon (2012) for the FBS freshman records for touchdowns and points in a season.

He wasn’t the only breakout star. Redshirt freshman Ashton Gray erupted for 152 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries — all career highs — giving UNT a devastating one‑two punch in the backfield.

“My training team did a wonderful job taking care of me and got me back to 100%,” Hawkins said. “I’m super grateful for this university and my brothers. They played such a big part in everything we accomplished this year.”

Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, UNT’s other freshman phenom, added to his own historic season. He threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns, finishing the year with 4,379 passing yards — second‑most ever by an FBS freshman — and a program‑record 34 touchdown passes. His performance extended his AAC freshman passing record and cemented him as one of the nation’s most productive first‑year quarterbacks.

“It’s the perfect way to go out,” Mestemaker said. “This is the best season I’ve ever been a part of, and I’m forever grateful for it.”

Defensive MVP Will Jones II delivered a career night with 14 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble that stopped a San Diego State red‑zone drive. UNT finished the season with 28 forced turnovers, the fifth‑most in program history.

Interim head coach Drew Svoboda praised his team’s unity in a postseason landscape increasingly defined by opt‑outs and roster churn.

“I’m proud of how this team stayed together,” Svoboda said. “They finished what they started back in the spring.”

The win not only ended a decade‑long bowl drought — it signaled the arrival of a new era in Denton. With Hawkins, Gray, and Mestemaker all returning, UNT’s future looks as explosive as its record‑setting 2025 season.