University of Northern Colorado Athletics
A Look Back: The 1984 Northern Colorado Football Team
10/1/2014 3:22:00 PM | Football
Though the Bears were under legendary head coach, Bob Blasi, they produced an overall record of just, 3-8. They did however produce two NFL players in Don Geist and Rod Rudel.
GREELEY, Colo. – In the spirit of homecoming we are taking a look back at the football teams through the decades leading up to Saturday's (Oct. 4) game against Northern Arizona at 1:30 p.m., continuing on with the 1984 team.
The 1984 experienced some highs and lows, going just 3-8 on the year with a five-game losing skid on the books. The '84 Bears were under the direction of head Coach Bob Blasi who is the second-longest tenured coach in the program's history, leading UNC for 19 seasons and compiling a 107-71 record, bringing home six conference championships to Greeley.
The team produced two All-Conference (NCC) players in, Vaughan Lechman and Don Geist.
Geist went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL, as did his teammate Rod Rudel.
All-Time Single Season Records that year (Number indicates spot on all-time record list):
Receiving Yards- 9. Rod Rudel (947-yards)
Kickoff Return Yards- 2. Johnny Watkines. (663-yards)
All-Purpose Yards- 11. Johnny Watkines (1,343-yards)
Pass Receptions- 15. Kim Boerema (50 receptions)
Pass Interceptions- 2. Vaughn Lechman (7 INTs)
Punt Average- 9. Don Geist (41.3-yards per punt)
Fumble Recoveries- 3. Tom Powell (4 recoveries)
All-Time Single Game Records that year (Number indicates spot on all-time record list):
Rushing Yards- 4. Johnny Watkines vs Minnesota St. (9/22/84) 224-yards
Quarterback Sacks- 5. Johnny Watkines vs Augustana (11/3/84) 148-yards
Total Tackles- 2. Tom Vertovec vs Augustana (11/3/84) 25 tackles
Longest Fumble Return- 13. Vaughn Lechman vs. North Dakota (1984) 23-yards
Longest Punt- 6. Don Giest vs St. Cloud State (1984) 73-yards
Season Results:
1984 (3-8, 3-5 NCC/6th)
S 8 at Air Force L, 7-75
S 15 at Abilene Christian L, 7-27
S 22 *Minnesota State W, 24-22
S 29 *at North Dakota L, 7-33
O 6 *Morningside L, 7-42
O 13 *at South Dakota L, 15-17
O 20 *North Dakota State L, 14-62
O 27 *Nebraska-Omaha L, 14-21
N 3 *at Augustana W, 45-39
N 10 Eastern Washington L, 15-50
N 17 *at St. Cloud State W, 31-17
*indicates conference game.
Check back in with www.UNCBears.com tomorrow as we highlight the 1984 Bears football team. For tickets to this Saturday's homecoming game against Northern Arizona call 1-970-351-4TIX or click here to order them online.
