Mestemaker In, Denegal Out as North Texas Faces San Diego State in New Mexico Bowl

Overview

• The game is Saturday, Dec. 27 at University Stadium in Albuquerque, airing on ESPN, with North Texas favored by about 3 points and the total in the mid‑50s.
• North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who entered the transfer portal, says he will play after leading the nation with 4,129 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.
• San Diego State starter Jayden Denegal is out following shoulder surgery, with Bert Emanuel Jr. set to start in a run‑heavy plan alongside 1,237‑yard rusher Lucky Sutton.
• North Texas will be without head coach Eric Morris after his move to Oklahoma State, and San Diego State lost defensive coordinator Rob Aurich to Nebraska.
• The Mean Green average 44.8 points and 504 yards per game, while the Aztecs rank among the nation’s best defensively, allowing roughly 266.7 yards and 12.6 points per game.