North Texas Defeats Navy, Shakes Up American Conference Standings
The American Conference football race just got a whole lot more interesting. North Texas handed Navy its first loss, shaking up the standings and adding some real drama.
Now, six teams are sitting with just one league loss. The fight for the top spot? It’s about as tight as it gets.
Freshman Caleb Hawkins put on a show, scoring four touchdowns and carrying the Mean Green to a 31-17 win over the Midshipmen. He really took over the game.
This victory has scrambled the conference picture and left fans wondering how the rest of the season will play out.
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North Texas rode the hot hand of Caleb Hawkins, who ran an eye-popping 33 times for 197 yards. The freshman was everywhere, and his energy seemed to lift the entire team.
Last week, UNT’s Drew Mestemaker broke a conference record with 608 passing yards. This time, he threw for a quieter 234, but North Texas leaned on the ground game to get the job done.
Game Breakdown
The Mean Green jumped out early, building a 21-3 lead in the first half. Navy, one of the last unbeaten FBS teams heading into Week 10, just couldn’t find the rhythm they needed.
Blake Horvath did his best to rally the Midshipmen, slicing the lead to 24-17 in the third quarter with a 13-yard touchdown run. But two second-half interceptions proved costly and killed any chance of a comeback.
Horvath ended the night with 112 rushing yards on 19 carries and added 80 passing yards. Not a bad stat line, but the turnovers hurt.
Implications for the American Conference
The standings are now wide open. Six teams have one league loss, which makes every upcoming game feel like a must-win.
North Texas suddenly looks like a real threat for the conference crown—and maybe even a shot at the College Football Playoff. The Athletic’s projections give them the best odds right now. Feels a bit wild, honestly.
Remaining Challenges
North Texas still has work to do. They’ve got tough road games at UAB and Rice, plus a home date with Temple.
Every one of those games could make or break their season.
Navy, now 7-1 and 5-1 in conference play, faces a serious test in the coming weeks. Next up is a trip to No. 12 Notre Dame, which is never easy.
After that, they’ll square off against South Florida (6-2, 3-1) and No. 25 Memphis (8-1, 4-1). The season wraps with the traditional Army game after the CFP field is set.
Key Players to Watch
Some names to keep an eye on as Navy tries to bounce back:
- Blake Horvath: Even with the loss, his ability to run and throw gives Navy a shot in every game.
- Caleb Hawkins: After what he did against Navy, you have to wonder what he’ll do next.
Other Contenders in the American Conference
The title race is far from settled. Tulane just took its first conference loss to UTSA and now heads to Memphis.
Memphis, fresh off a win over USF, controls its own destiny with games left against East Carolina and Tulane. It’s all up for grabs.
East Carolina’s Position
East Carolina sits at 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference. Their recent win over Temple keeps them in the mix, at least for now.
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Conclusion: A Thrilling Finish Awaits
The American Conference looks set for a wild finish to the 2025 season. There are several teams in the hunt for the top spot, and every game matters.
North Texas just pulled off a win over Navy, which really shook up the standings. That result made things even more unpredictable in the race.
If you want to dig deeper into how that game played out, or see what it might mean for the rest of the season, check out the New York Times.