February 19, 2002

Northern Colorado Announces 2002 Football Schedule

The University of Northern Colorado has announced its upcoming 2002 football schedule. The Bears, coming off a 7-4 season in 2001, will play five home games and six road games in 2002. The highlight of the football schedule includes matchups against both the defending national champions of NCAA I-AA (Montana) and II (North Dakota) in back-to-back weeks (Sept. 14 and 21).

The Bears will begin the season at home on Sept. 7 against Western State as a part of Hall of Fame Weekend. UNC will then hit the road and take on NCAA I-AA defending champion Montana in Missoula, Mont., on Sept. 14. The Montana Grizzlies are coached by former UNC head coach Joe Glenn.

UNC will commence North Central Conference play on Sept. 21 when the North Dakota Fighting Sioux come to town. North Dakota was crowned NCAA II national champion last season. The Bears will then play host to the Mavericks of Minnesota State, Mankato on Sept. 28.

The Bears hit the road the next two weekends to battle Nebraska-Omaha (Oct. 5) and St. Cloud State (Oct. 12), before returning to Nottingham Field for Homecoming on Oct. 19 against the South Dakota Coyotes.

A trip to Sioux Falls, S.D., ensues with a matchup against the Vikings of Augustana on Oct. 26. The North Dakota State Bison will host the Bears on Nov. 2 in the FargoDome. UNC will then close out North Central Conference action against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at home in Nottingham Field on Nov. 9. UNC will complete the regular season with a game at New Haven, Conn., on Nov. 16.

2002 UNC Football Schedule

Sept. 7		Western State (Hall of Fame)			Noon
Sept. 14	at Montana					1:05 p.m.^
Sept. 21	North Dakota					Noon
Sept. 28	Minnesota St., Mankato (Family Weekend)	        Noon
Oct. 5		at Nebraska-Omaha				12:05 p.m.^
Oct. 12	        at St. Cloud State				Noon^
Oct. 19	        South Dakota (Homecoming)			Noon
Oct. 26	        at Augustana					TBA^
Nov. 2		at North Dakota State				TBA^
Nov. 9		South Dakota State				Noon
Nov. 16	        at New Haven				        10:30 a.m.^
* indicates North Central Conference game -- All times Mountain
Bold indicates home game - played at Nottingham Field
^ All road games have tentative start times and are subject to change