UNT going bowling for third-straight season, this time to play a 10-win team out west

For the third consecutive year under Seth Littrell and the 11th time in program history, the Mean Green will extend their season and compete in a bowl game.

This season, UNT (9-3, 5-3 C-USA) will head to the New Mexico Bowl to face Utah State (10-2, 7-1 Mountain West) at Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque on Dec. 15. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN.

“We are excited to be playing in the New Mexico Bowl against a very good opponent in Utah State,” Littrell said in a school press release. “Albuquerque is an easy travel destination for our fans and alumni and I know this team is excited to play in front of a national audience on ESPN in the very first bowl game of the season. It will be a tremendous challenge but we are excited to get to work.”

North Texas is led by junior quarterback Mason Fine, who gained national notoriety with yet another statement season under center. Fine has completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,734 yards and 27 touchdowns.

With Fine’s arm talent, the Mean Green set school records this season for most points per game (36.4), offensive yards per game (472.8) and most passing yards per game (316.3).

Sophomore DeAndre Torrey has emerged as the starting running back, accounting for 942 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

All three of UNT’s losses have been eight points or less.

Utah State is ranked No. 24 in the final Coaches Poll and won 10 straight games after starting 0-2. The Aggies averaged 47.2 points per game, which ranked third nationally.

They’ll be playing without coach Matt Wells, who left to take the head coaching position at Texas Tech. Utah State has tabbed Frank Maile as their interim head coach for the bowl.

North Texas and Utah State have met seven times, with the Aggies holding a 4-3 edge. The last meeting was in 2004, when the Mean Green knocked off Utah State 31-23 in Logan, Utah.

This story was originally published December 2, 2018 at 3:09 PM.