DENTON, TX — Caleb Hawkins is making his case as one of the most dangerous all-purpose backs in college football. The junior sensation scored three touchdowns Saturday night to lead North Texas to a 36-22 win over South Alabama, giving the Mean Green their first on-field 5-0 start since 1959.

And Hawkins? He’s got seven touchdowns in two weeks, following up his four-touchdown performance in last week’s overtime thriller against Army with a new encore: 140 yards rushing, 78 yards receiving, and three scores.

Hawkins gave North Texas a 14-7 halftime lead with a 6-yard touchdown run, then broke the game open early in the third quarter with a 68-yard screen pass taken to the house. When South Alabama closed the gap to six in the final minutes, Hawkins put the game away with a physical, tackle-breaking 27-yard touchdown run with 2:00 remaining.

In total:

• 16 carries, 140 rushing yards, 2 TDs

• 2 receptions, 78 receiving yards, 1 TD

• 7 total TDs in last 2 games

Quarterback Drew Mestemaker went 14-of-26 for 234 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a rushing score. Miles Coleman chipped in with a short TD run.

The North Texas defense, despite giving up 87 yards on South Alabama’s fourth-quarter scoring drive, came up big in crunch time and sealed the deal after Hawkins’ final touchdown.

South Alabama (1-4) dropped its fourth straight despite a gritty performance from quarterback Bishop Davenport, who threw for 195 yards and a touchdown, and ran for another. Devin Voisin led all Jaguar receivers with 97 yards on five catches, and Rod Gibbs added a touchdown grab.

Kentrel Bullock’s 2-yard touchdown run with 6:11 left gave South Alabama late life, but the defense had no answer for Hawkins down the stretch.

North Texas last started 5-0 on the field in 1959. While the 1977 team also opened 5-0, that included a forfeit from Mississippi State — making this year’s team the first to earn five wins without dispute in over six decades.

What’s Next

• North Texas (5-0): Puts its undefeated record on the line next weekend.

• South Alabama (1-4): Searching for answers after dropping four straight.

With Caleb Hawkins turning into a weekly highlight reel and the Mean Green riding a wave of momentum, North Texas isn’t just chasing bowl eligibility anymore — they’re chasing history. At 5-0, they’re not just one of the season’s biggest surprises… they’re becoming a legit problem in the Group of Five.