Northern Colorado Football Falls in Big Sky Conference Opener, 38-13 to Montana.

Saturday, September 27

Missoula, Mont.

1:00 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

1-3 , 0-1

Montana

3-2 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UNCO

Montana

9/27/2014 7:45:00 PM | Football

Box Score

The University of Northern Colorado football team (1-3,0-1) faced another difficult task taking on #7 Montana (3-2,1-0) at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday having to deal with a top-notch Griz defense without starting sophomore quarterback, Sean Rubalcaba. The Bears fell into a 21-point deficit after the first quarter and never recovered, losing the game, 38-13.

By: UNCBears.com

MISSOULA, Mont. – The University of Northern Colorado football team (1-3,0-1) faced another difficult task taking on #7 Montana (3-2,1-0) at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday having to deal with a top-notch Griz defense without starting sophomore quarterback, Sean Rubalcaba. The Bears fell into a 21-point deficit after the first quarter and never recovered, losing the game, 38-13.

"We found out this morning that Rubes [Rubalcaba] had a hitch in his shoulder," said head coach Earnest Collins Jr. "He tried to work it out, but couldn't get there, so Jonathan '[Newsom] stepped up and under the circumstances, I believe he performed valiantly."

Newsom finished his first start as a Bear with respectable numbers, going 22-40-1 with 198 yards through the air on the day. He also led the team in rushing, racking up 72 yards on the ground and scored Northern Colorado's only touchdown of the game.

Junior wide receiver, Sean Leslie was Newsom's favorite target, catching the ball six times for 76-yards. Sophomore receiver, Stephen Miller was second on the team in receptions with five, totaling 49-yards.

With Newsom at the helm of the offense, the Bears started out rocky, going three and out on the opening series, bringing freshman punter, Bailey Landwehr onto the field. After back-to-back false start calls on UNC on 4th down, the Bears were backed up deep inside their own territory. Landwehr's punt didn't make it far, getting blocked by Montana's Addison Owen. UM would take over on the Northern Colorado 10-yard line.

The Griz made quick work of the excellent field position, taking just two plays to find pay dirt for the early, 7-0 lead. UM quarterback, Jordan Johnson connected with wide receiver, Jamaal Jones in the back corner of the end zone for six.

The Bears repeated their opening drive, with another three and out, bringing Landwehr on to punt again with 10:04 remaining in the first quarter.

Montana remained flawless on offense on the next series, driving it 71-yards on seven plays to jump out in front, 14-0. Johnson went deep, finding receiver, Ryan Burke for 41-yards and six more points.

The growing pains continued for UNC's offense. After two big penalties by Montana the Bears found themselves inside Griz territory for the first time in the game. On 1st and 10, Newsom was hurried out of the pocket and hit hard by Zack Wagenman, fumbling the ball. UM recovered and brought their offense back on to the field.

It only took two plays for Montana to find their way back into the end zone for the third time of the quarter. Running back, Travon Van broke loose from the UNC defense and carried it 71-yards, taking the Griz to a dominant, 21-0 lead with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter.

This time the Bears offense had an answer for the touchdown. On a 3rd and 2, Newsom found an opening in the middle of the field and broke loose for 74-yards, diving into the end zone for UNC's first points of the game. The touchdown was the first of Newsom's career at Northern Colorado and broke the program's record for longest run by a QB in a game.

The celebration was cut short as the Griz killed the Bears' momentum, driving 66-yards on five plays the very next series, to take back their, 21-point lead. Johnson kept it on the read option, taking it up the middle for 9-yards and the score.

The first quarter would end the Northern Colorado trailing, 28-7.

"This has happened to us two games in a row now," said Collins. "We can't allow our opponents to jump out in front of us with that large of a lead. It's too hard to come back from. Yes, we played solid football the other three quarters, but it doesn't help us when we've dug ourselves into that deep of a hole."

The Bears looked like a completely different team in the second quarter, holding Montana to just 34-yards passing, 52-yards rushing, and only giving up 7 points.

Northern Colorado jumped on the board again, after senior cornerback, Kyle Griffin made a one-handed grab, picking off Johnson for the first time of the day. The Bears offense would head on to the field with promising position, on the Montana 40-yard line.

Holland would break free and carry it 19-yards, just outside the red zone. A 3-yard loss on a run and two incomplete passes brought up 4th and 13. Collins elected to bring on the field goal unit for the 41-yard attempt. Freshman kicker, Seth Czapenski put it straight through the uprights to make it a, 35-10 ballgame, heading into halftime.

The second half the Bears didn't waiver from the game plan. Newsom continued to mold into the quarterback position, driving UNC, 66-yards on 19 plays in 9:00 minutes, setting up another Czapenski field goal, this time from 26-yards out. Czapenski's kick was solid again, tacking on another three points for Northern Colorado.

"The field goals were more about letting the kid [Czapenski] see the ball go through the uprights," said Collins. "Field goals have been a problem for this team and we need to let him get his confidence up to help us win games later in the year. We could have gone for it on 4th down in that situation, but it was more important to me to put points on the board, than walk away from that drive with nothing."

The third quarter would come to a close with Montana ahead, 38-13.

The Bears defense remained stout in the fourth quarter, despite the large deficit. Northern Colorado forced the ball loose from running back, Jordan Canada's hands early on in the quarter, and junior linebacker, Ryan Gackle jumped on it, putting the UNC offense back on the field.

Unfortunately, UNC was unable to capitalize on the fumble recovery, being forced to punt after penalties again plagued the offense.

Both teams traded punts for the remainder of the contest and Northern Colorado would fall short of the upset bid, 38-13.

UNC held Montana to just 10 points, 105-yards rushing, and 66-yards passing after the first quarter.

The Bears defense gave up a total of 211-yards rushing, but just 181-yards passing. Junior linebacker, JaQueal Walker led UNC in tackles on the day, with 12. Behind him was Gackle with 10 tackles and one fumble recovery.

Griffin now has three interceptions through four games and Northern Colorado has recorded at least one INT in every game so far this year.

Northern Colorado returns to Notthingham Field next Saturday as a part of a two-game home stand, beginning on Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m., taking on Northern Arizona in the Bears' homecoming game.