Hawkins Named American Offensive Player of the Week
9/22/2025 10:00:00 AM | Football
IRVING, Texas – UNT freshman running back Caleb Hawkins fell one yard shy of his first 100-yard game on Saturday in the Mean Green's 45-38 overtime win at Army, but he made his career-high 13 carries count with four rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime to lift UNT to its first 4-0 start since 2018.
For his effort, the freshman from Shawnee, Oklahoma, was named the American Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday.
Hawkins scored twice in the first quarter - on runs of 4 and 7 yards - as the Mean Green built a 21-0 lead early on before a 21-yard scoring scamper in the fourth quarter put UNT up 38-28 and his 3-yard plunge in overtime proved to be the game-winner as the Mean Green topped the defending conference champion in West Point, New York.
Through four games, Hawkins is the team's second leading rusher with 167 yards on 26 carries and now leads the team with his five rushing touchdowns. On Saturday, he became just the second player in program history to have four rushing touchdowns in a game as a freshman, joining Jamario Thomas, who accomplished the feat in 2004.
Hawkins is the second UNT player to earn an American Player of the Week honor this season, after senior linebacker Shane Whitter was named the conference's top defensive player last week following the win over Washington State.
For his effort, the freshman from Shawnee, Oklahoma, was named the American Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday.
Hawkins scored twice in the first quarter - on runs of 4 and 7 yards - as the Mean Green built a 21-0 lead early on before a 21-yard scoring scamper in the fourth quarter put UNT up 38-28 and his 3-yard plunge in overtime proved to be the game-winner as the Mean Green topped the defending conference champion in West Point, New York.
Through four games, Hawkins is the team's second leading rusher with 167 yards on 26 carries and now leads the team with his five rushing touchdowns. On Saturday, he became just the second player in program history to have four rushing touchdowns in a game as a freshman, joining Jamario Thomas, who accomplished the feat in 2004.
Hawkins is the second UNT player to earn an American Player of the Week honor this season, after senior linebacker Shane Whitter was named the conference's top defensive player last week following the win over Washington State.
Players Mentioned
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