North Texas Powers Past Memphis 42-20, Rides Ground Game Into Stateline Elite Semifinals

Brad Wilson, The Stateline Gazette DENTON, Texas — North Texas didn’t just advance Thursday night — it overwhelmed.

Behind a punishing rushing attack that averaged more than 12 yards per carry and a momentum-swinging defensive touchdown just before halftime, the Mean Green rolled past Memphis 42-20 in the Stateline Elite quarterfinals.

North Texas advances to face No. 3 seed San Diego State in the semifinals. Memphis’ season ends in Denton despite outgaining the Mean Green in total yards.

The decisive moment came late in the second quarter.

Clinging to a 14-6 lead, North Texas forced a Memphis fumble and returned it for a touchdown, stretching the margin to 21-6 at halftime. The Tigers, who had moved the ball effectively through the air all night, never fully recovered from the swing.

“That was the play,” North Texas coach Matt Cummings said. “Playoff football is about moments. You either create them or survive them. We created one right there.”

North Texas piled up 405 total yards, including 228 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 18 carries. Caleb Hawkins led the charge with 13 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns, consistently breaking through first contact and exploiting seams at the line of scrimmage.

Backup Quardell Jackson added a 73-yard touchdown run on one of his two carries, finishing with 73 yards and a score as North Texas turned efficiency into separation.

“We told our guys all week, run downhill and don’t look back,” Cummings said. “When we’re physical, we’re hard to beat.”

Quarterback Drew Mestemaker complemented the ground attack with an efficient performance, completing 13 of 18 passes for 177 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He added 14 rushing yards on three carries. Mestemaker spread the ball to six different receivers, helping prevent Memphis from loading the box.

Miles Coleman caught four passes for 80 yards, Wyatt Young had four receptions for 45 yards, and Cameron Dorner added three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Tre Williams III caught two passes, including a 3-yard touchdown.

Memphis, meanwhile, moved the ball but struggled to convert yards into sustained control.

The Tigers finished with 433 total yards, including 420 through the air, but managed just 13 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Quarterback Brendon Lewis completed 28 of 40 passes for 310 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while backup AJ Hill went 4 of 5 for 110 yards and a touchdown in relief.

Cortez Braham Jr. led Memphis receivers with six catches for 120 yards and a touchdown. Marcello Bussey added four receptions for 50 yards and a score. Sutton Smith was a focal point in the passing game, hauling in 16 receptions for 177 yards, but was limited to 15 rushing yards on seven carries.

Memphis trailed 7-3 after one quarter and 21-6 at halftime before briefly closing within 28-20 in the third. North Texas responded with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to seal it.

On the JerseyEer postgame show, Memphis coach John Horak was direct.

“Didn’t make enough plays, got my ass kicked,” Horak said. “That’s playoff football. You can’t turn it over, you can’t give up a defensive score, and you can’t get pushed around up front.”

North Texas now prepares for a semifinal matchup with San Diego State, which features McGurn Memorial Running Back of the Year Lucky Sutton and quarterback Jayden Denegal.

“We’re not done,” Cummings said. “This was step one. If we want to play for a title, we’ve got to be even better next week.”

For Memphis, a season defined by explosive offense ends with a lesson in playoff margins.

North Texas moves on.

North Texas 42, Memphis 20

North Texas 7-14-7-14 — 42 Memphis 3-3-14-0 — 20

Team statistics Total yards — North Texas 405; Memphis 433 Rushes-yards — North Texas 18-228; Memphis 15-13 Passing — North Texas 13-18-1, 177 yards; Memphis 32-45-1, 420 yards

Individual statistics

North Texas Passing — Drew Mestemaker 13-18-1, 177 yards, 2 TD Rushing — Caleb Hawkins 13-141, 2 TD; Quardell Jackson 2-73, TD; Mestemaker 3-14 Receiving — Miles Coleman 4-80; Wyatt Young 4-45; Cameron Dorner 3-49, TD; Tre Williams III 2-3, TD

Memphis Passing — Brendon Lewis 28-40-1, 310 yards, TD; AJ Hill 4-5, 110 yards, TD Rushing — Sutton Smith 7-15; Lewis 6-3; Hill 2-5 Receiving — Sutton Smith 16-177; Cortez Braham Jr. 6-120, TD; Marcello Bussey 4-50, TD; Brady Kluse 2-37; Jerry Cross 2-23; Jamari Hawkins 2-13