Until this week, no Football Bowl Subdivision team had gone as long as North Texas without appearing in The Associated Press poll.
The Mean Green scoring machine was No. 22 after the votes were counted, giving the school its first ranking since Dwight D. Eisenhower was U.S. president, Hawaii was a new state and a gallon of gas cost 31 cents.
The year was 1959, when UNT was known as the Eagles and nearly a decade before “Mean” Joe Greene, the program’s most famous alum, became the dominant defensive lineman of his era. (Contrary to popular belief, the school nickname has nothing to do with “Mean” Joe.)
At 9-1, the 2025 team has UNT’s best start since Odus Mitchell’s squad had the same record and spent two weeks in the ratings 66 years ago, reaching No. 16.
“We’re incredibly honored to see UNT back in the Top 25 for the first time since 1959,” coach Eric Morris said Sunday. “It’s a testament to the work our players put in every day, the commitment of our staff and the belief this university and community have in our program. While we’re proud of this accomplishment, our focus right now is on trying to go 1-0 this weekend at Rice.”