This year marks the 20th anniversary of the New Mexico Bowl. To celebrate this milestone, this year’s matchup features two nine-plus-win teams, North Texas and San Diego State. The Mean Green and the Aztecs will face off for the first time in 50 years, as SDSU leads the all-time series 6-1. This will also be both programs’ second-ever appearance in the New Mexico Bowl. To get you prepared and informed on this matchup, here’s a preview of North Texas vs. San Diego State.
Isleta New Mexico Bowl Preview, North Texas vs. San Diego State
How These Two Schools Got Here
For North Texas, this season, the Mean Green eclipsed 10 wins for the first time in program history, ending their season at 11 wins. This allowed them to make their first-ever American Conference Championship game, where they ultimately lost to Tulane. This meant that North Texas would miss the playoffs. Still, the Mean Green had the number one offense in total yards per game, which was orchestrated by Head Coach Eric Morris. Coach Morris, now the head coach of Oklahoma State, will not coach the bowl game, but instead, interim head coach Drew Svoboda will. North Texas looks to win its first bowl game in 12 years.
On the other side, SDSU has made its first bowl game in three years. Head Coach Sean Lewis is in his second year and flipped a previous 3-9 record in 2024 to 9-3 this year. The Aztecs ended third in the Mountain West, their best finish in four years. With a defeat to New Mexico in double overtime in week 14, the Aztecs missed the conference championship. Still, their defense was one of the best in the nation, holding offenses to 13 or fewer points. They look to win their first bowl game in four years.
Trio of Thousands of Yards
What made North Texas so great this season was its trio of playmakers on the offensive end. First, quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who ended the season leading the nation in passing yards with over 4,000. Against Charlotte on the road, he threw for 608 yards, a program record. Bringing in 190 yards that game was receiver Wyatt Young, who racked in over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. The last offensive star is freshman running back Caleb Hawkins, who led the nation in rushing touchdowns with 23. He also added 1,200 yards of his own. This trio made North Texas the most electrifying offense in the nation, scoring 44 points per game, the nation’s most.
Sack Artists
Mestemaker will have to get the ball off fast to avoid the Aztecs’ lead defensemen. This year, SDSU had 32 sacks, led by Trey White, Ryan Henderson, and Niles King. The three of them had six-and-a-half-plus sacks this season. The defensive line is coming off a seven-sack game against New Mexico. On top of the defensive line, Owen Chambliss leads the second level of the defense with 105 total tackles and four sacks. This defense has held teams to under double digits seven times this season, due to the pressure the defense has created.
Key Players
Jayden Denegal, QB SDSU
The leader of the offense, Denegal, has been up and down this season for the Aztecs. Previously at Michigan for two years, he won the job over Bert Emmanuel Jr. this Fall. This season, Denegal threw for nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. He ended the season with 1,800 yards. He will need to be active and proficient in the pocket for the Aztecs to win. Look for receiver Jordan Napier, as he brought in a third of Denegal’s passing yards.
Chris Johnson, CB SDSU
Johnson will have the tough task of matching up against Wyatt Young for the duration of the game. Still, Johnson has shown that he is active in the secondary and not to be tested. He has a team leading four interceptions, the fourth most in the Mountain West Conference. Also, he had eight pass deflections and 48 tackles. He and safety Dalesean Staley lead the secondary, hoping to stop the number one offense.
Ethan Wesloski and Trey Fields, LBs North Texas
The second level for the Mean Green’s offense has been the most productive all season. Both Wesloski and Fields had over 100 tackles. Along with fellow linebacker Shane Whitter, the three of them together had 131 solo tackles. Expect the three of them to be on high alert for SDSU’s running back, Lucky Sutton.
While the New Mexico Bowl celebrates 20 years of football in Albuquerque, these two schools have a chance to bring home a trophy. With a win, the Aztecs reach 10 wins, and the Mean Green increase their program high to 12 wins. Personally, I’m going with North Texas, winning the game by 10, covering the 6.5 point line.
How To Watch
To watch the New Mexico Bowl celebrate this milestone, tune into ESPN on Saturday, December 27th at 5:45 p.m. EST. Enjoy the game and the remainder of bowl season.
Main Image: Isleta New Mexico Bowl
