Eric Morris, North Texas Clinch Spot in American Championship Game with Win against Temple

Eric Morris’ journey to the College Football Playoff continued on Black Friday.

After being announced as Oklahoma State’s next coach earlier this  week, Morris and North Texas moved to 11-1 on the season with a 52-25 victory against Temple in Denton. It set a program record for wins in a season.

North Texas finished with 605 yards in total offense, the Mean Green’s fifth time going over the 500-yard mark this season. For reference, the most yards OSU has had in a game this year is 448 against Baylor.

UNT scored touchdowns on its opening five drives of the game. The first three drives were all under two minutes long and had two 99-yard drives in them. The longest of those first five drives took 3:25 off the clock, as the Mean Green speed ran back to the end zone time after time.

Morris put on a big play clinic, as North Texas had 10 pass plays of at least 15 yards (including two of 70+ yards) and nine run plays of al least 10 yards (including a 31-yard touchdown).

Star redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Mestemaker went 20-for-24 with 366 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Freshman running back Caleb Hawkins, from Shawnee, ran for 186 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries (7.4 yards per carry). It was his fifth game of the season with at least 130 rushing yards.

Two Mean Green receivers hit the century mark. Wyatt Young caught six balls for 127 yards (21.2 yards per catch). Cameron Dorner caught all four of his targets for 125 yards (31.3 yards per catch) and a touchdown.

Gaudy offensive numbers:

Total Offense: 605 yards
Rushing Yards: 239
Passing Yards: 366
Yards Per Play: 9.5
First Downs: 26

UNT will play in the American title game next Friday with the location and opponent TBD. If Tulane beats Charlotte on Saturday, the Green Wave would host in Louisiana. The winner of that game would likely secure the Group of Five’s spot in the College Football Playoff.