University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, November 21
Greeley, Colo.
12:00 p.m.
University of Northern Colorado
6-5 , 3-5
40
vs
36
Abilene Christian University
3-8 , 3-6
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Abilene Christian
14
7
7
8
36
Northern Colorado
6
21
3
10
40
Team Stats
ACU
UNCO
Total Yards
548
521
Pass Yards
330
293
Rushing Yards
218
228
Penalty Yards
20
55
1st Downs
30
19
3rd Downs
7
5
4th Downs
3
1
TOP
39:35
20:25
1st Quarter
ACU 7, UNCO 0
ACU - H. Sims 1 yd run (Z. Lehr kick), 6 plays, 41 yards, TOP 2:30
ACU 7, UNCO 6
UNCO - Trae Riek 20 yd run (Jamie Falloon kickfailed), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:24
ACU 14, UNCO 6
ACU - H. Sims 2 yd run (Z. Lehr kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:15
2nd Quarter
ACU 14, UNCO 13
UNCO - Trae Riek 68 yd pass from Jacob Knipp (Jamie Falloon kick) 5 plays, 84 yards, TOP 1:32
ACU 14, UNCO 20
UNCO - Stephen Miller 31 yd pass from Jacob Knipp (Jamie Falloon kick) 3 plays, 57 yards, TOP 1:00
ACU 21, UNCO 20
ACU - J. Epps 7 yd pass from P. McKenzie (Z. Lehr kick) 10 plays, 78 yards, TOP 5:07
ACU 21, UNCO 27
UNCO - Jacob Knipp 42 yd run (Jamie Falloon kick), 6 plays, 79 yards, TOP 2:17
3rd Quarter
ACU 28, UNCO 27
ACU - H. Sims 1 yd run (Z. Lehr kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:34
ACU 28, UNCO 30
UNCO - Jamie Falloon 22 yd field goal 8 plays, 68 yards, TOP 2:39
4th Quarter
ACU 28, UNCO 33
UNCO - Jamie Falloon 44 yd field goal 5 plays, 29 yards, TOP 2:45
ACU 36, UNCO 33
ACU - C. Gilbert 10 yd pass from P. McKenzie (H. Sims rush) 8 plays, 83 yards, TOP 3:25
ACU 36, UNCO 40
UNCO - Stephen Miller 13 yd pass from Jacob Knipp (Jamie Falloon kick) 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:20
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
15
TD
3
YDS
293
INT
0
Players Mentioned
DB
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/ FootballPhoto by: Rob Trubia
@UNCBEARSFB Downs ACU For First Winning Record in 12 Seasons
11/21/2015 8:36:00 PM | Football
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GREELEY, Colo. – For the first time since 2003, Northern Colorado football (6-5, 3-5 Big Sky) closed out the season with a winning record after beating Abilene Christian (3-8, 3-6 Southland) 40-36 on Senior Day in the two teams first matchup in 24 years.
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The historic mark was just one of many in head coach Earnest Collins Jr.'s fifth season and the program's fifth straight win over Abilene Christian. The all-time series now moves to 5-10-1.
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"Our guys are starting to believe in one another and when one unit is having an off day the other one tries to pick them up. Our offense was going up and down the field at will and we needed that," Collins said on the big win. "It just shows where we are – we have some things we need to work on, but the mind set of our kids has changed over the last five years and it was great for us to end this way."
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The win was once again in dramatic fashion as senior corner, James Davis intercepted ACU's QB, Patrick McKenzie in the end zone to seal the victory with 1:08 left in the fourth quarter.
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The Bears pulled out the win on the heels of redshirt freshmen running back, Trae Riek and quarterback, Jacob Knipp's big days
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Riek stomped his way to another 150+ yard game, with 151 on just 23 carries (6.6 ypc) and added a touchdown. He also led the team in receiving with 90 yards on four catches, including a 68 yard TD.
After it was all said and done, Riek finished with 241 all-purpose yards.
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Knipp tossed the pigskin for a career-best, 293 yards on 15-of-24 attempts. He hooked up with junior wide out Stephen Miller for two touchdowns and Riek for one to finish with three throws going to the end zone.
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For the second time this season, the team put up over 500 yards of offense, with 521 yards. Despite the big numbers, UNC was still outgained by the Wildcats, who ended the day with 548.
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It was a day for both offenses to shine as the cold weather hindered the defensive performances.
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UNC didn't do much on their initial showing of offense, going three and out. A solid punt return from the Wildcats and six plays later, they were in the end zone for the first score of the game, making it 7-0.
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A 20-yard beast mode moment from Riek on the very next drive, gave the Bears an opportunity to tie the game up at six, but a missed PAT from junior kicker Jamie Falloon kept ACU in the lead 7-6.
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Abilene Christian put up one more score in the first quarter to take a 14-6 lead.
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The biggest 15 minutes for the Knipp and the gang came in the second quarter with the Bears posting 21 points and holding ACU to just a touchdown.
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The three scores came from 31 yards out or longer, as the big plays were a factor early for UNC.
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The first score of the quarter came on a 68 yard pass from Knipp to Riek, to take it to a 14-13 deficit for the home team.
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The second TD was on a 31-yard pass and run to Miller. Miller shook off a couple of defenders and dashed his way into the end zone, giving Northern Colorado its first lead of the game at 20-16 with 10:23 to play until the break.
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Abilene scored on the very next drive to regain the lead, but UNC's offense answered with a Knipp keeper on a play action fake, going 42 yards right down the middle of the field for his fifth rushing touchdown of the season.
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"The kids have a sense of accomplishment now and understand that a winning season isn't going to elude us forever," Collins added. "It's now about winning seasons anymore – now it's about building this program up to be battling in the playoffs and get that going and then battling for championships. It's all about trying to bring that winning brand of football back to the UNC Bears."
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 Both teams only combined for 10 points in the second quarter.
Falloon knocked in a 22-yard field goal for UNC's only points in the third, while ACU punched in a one yard run from Herschel Sims, his third of the day, made it a 30-28 game heading into the fourth quarter.
Falloon opened the fourth with a career-long 44 yarder that sailed through the uprights, putting the Bears up by five, 33-28 over the Wildcats with 14:11 to play.
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Abilene's offense went on its longest drive of the game (83 yards) in eight plays capped off by a 10-yard TD pass to take its first lead of the second half, 36-33.
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Knipp and Miller connected for the second time midway through the fourth (8:22) ending a 65 yard drive with six more points, leading to the final score of 40-36.
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ACU's offense methodically controlled the ball over the next 7:14 of action and looked destined to score the game-winning TD, but a true testament to Senior Day and the historic season, senior corner, Davis, sealed the win with an INT in the end zone, his first and only interception of the year.
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"We've had that happen twice this year where it's come down to our defense making a play and it's ironic that's it's been the same one (Davis)," Collins said about the final play. "James has had his ups and downs in this program – he played as true freshman and then was hurt all of last season, so my hat's off to Coach Gordon for sticking with him and believing in him because he played some good football for us this year."
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NOTABLE for the 2015-16 Season
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â First winning season in 12 years and first in D1 era
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â First victory over a Top 10 FCS opponent in DI history
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Third player in D1 history to record 100 tackles (Taylor Risner)
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Won all three non-conference games
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Highest average total of points per game in five seasons (30.0)
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Most rushing yards in a season under Collins (1,833)
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â First time our kick return and punt return units were nationally ranked
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GREELEY, Colo. – For the first time since 2003, Northern Colorado football (6-5, 3-5 Big Sky) closed out the season with a winning record after beating Abilene Christian (3-8, 3-6 Southland) 40-36 on Senior Day in the two teams first matchup in 24 years.
Â
The historic mark was just one of many in head coach Earnest Collins Jr.'s fifth season and the program's fifth straight win over Abilene Christian. The all-time series now moves to 5-10-1.
Â
"Our guys are starting to believe in one another and when one unit is having an off day the other one tries to pick them up. Our offense was going up and down the field at will and we needed that," Collins said on the big win. "It just shows where we are – we have some things we need to work on, but the mind set of our kids has changed over the last five years and it was great for us to end this way."
Â
The win was once again in dramatic fashion as senior corner, James Davis intercepted ACU's QB, Patrick McKenzie in the end zone to seal the victory with 1:08 left in the fourth quarter.
Â
The Bears pulled out the win on the heels of redshirt freshmen running back, Trae Riek and quarterback, Jacob Knipp's big days
Â
Riek stomped his way to another 150+ yard game, with 151 on just 23 carries (6.6 ypc) and added a touchdown. He also led the team in receiving with 90 yards on four catches, including a 68 yard TD.
After it was all said and done, Riek finished with 241 all-purpose yards.
Â
Knipp tossed the pigskin for a career-best, 293 yards on 15-of-24 attempts. He hooked up with junior wide out Stephen Miller for two touchdowns and Riek for one to finish with three throws going to the end zone.
Â
For the second time this season, the team put up over 500 yards of offense, with 521 yards. Despite the big numbers, UNC was still outgained by the Wildcats, who ended the day with 548.
Â
It was a day for both offenses to shine as the cold weather hindered the defensive performances.
Â
UNC didn't do much on their initial showing of offense, going three and out. A solid punt return from the Wildcats and six plays later, they were in the end zone for the first score of the game, making it 7-0.
Â
A 20-yard beast mode moment from Riek on the very next drive, gave the Bears an opportunity to tie the game up at six, but a missed PAT from junior kicker Jamie Falloon kept ACU in the lead 7-6.
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Abilene Christian put up one more score in the first quarter to take a 14-6 lead.
Â
The biggest 15 minutes for the Knipp and the gang came in the second quarter with the Bears posting 21 points and holding ACU to just a touchdown.
Â
The three scores came from 31 yards out or longer, as the big plays were a factor early for UNC.
Â
The first score of the quarter came on a 68 yard pass from Knipp to Riek, to take it to a 14-13 deficit for the home team.
Â
The second TD was on a 31-yard pass and run to Miller. Miller shook off a couple of defenders and dashed his way into the end zone, giving Northern Colorado its first lead of the game at 20-16 with 10:23 to play until the break.
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Abilene scored on the very next drive to regain the lead, but UNC's offense answered with a Knipp keeper on a play action fake, going 42 yards right down the middle of the field for his fifth rushing touchdown of the season.
Â
"The kids have a sense of accomplishment now and understand that a winning season isn't going to elude us forever," Collins added. "It's now about winning seasons anymore – now it's about building this program up to be battling in the playoffs and get that going and then battling for championships. It's all about trying to bring that winning brand of football back to the UNC Bears."
Â
 Both teams only combined for 10 points in the second quarter.
Falloon knocked in a 22-yard field goal for UNC's only points in the third, while ACU punched in a one yard run from Herschel Sims, his third of the day, made it a 30-28 game heading into the fourth quarter.
Falloon opened the fourth with a career-long 44 yarder that sailed through the uprights, putting the Bears up by five, 33-28 over the Wildcats with 14:11 to play.
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Abilene's offense went on its longest drive of the game (83 yards) in eight plays capped off by a 10-yard TD pass to take its first lead of the second half, 36-33.
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Knipp and Miller connected for the second time midway through the fourth (8:22) ending a 65 yard drive with six more points, leading to the final score of 40-36.
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ACU's offense methodically controlled the ball over the next 7:14 of action and looked destined to score the game-winning TD, but a true testament to Senior Day and the historic season, senior corner, Davis, sealed the win with an INT in the end zone, his first and only interception of the year.
Â
"We've had that happen twice this year where it's come down to our defense making a play and it's ironic that's it's been the same one (Davis)," Collins said about the final play. "James has had his ups and downs in this program – he played as true freshman and then was hurt all of last season, so my hat's off to Coach Gordon for sticking with him and believing in him because he played some good football for us this year."
Â
NOTABLE for the 2015-16 Season
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â First winning season in 12 years and first in D1 era
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â First victory over a Top 10 FCS opponent in DI history
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Third player in D1 history to record 100 tackles (Taylor Risner)
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Won all three non-conference games
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Highest average total of points per game in five seasons (30.0)
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Most rushing yards in a season under Collins (1,833)
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â First time our kick return and punt return units were nationally ranked
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