University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, October 29
Portland, OR
3:30 p.m.
University of Northern Colorado
56
at
49
Portland State University
Players Mentioned
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@UNCBEARSFB Earn OT Win at Portland State
10/29/2016 8:44:00 PM | Football
PORTLAND, Ore. – It took a little extra for Northern Colorado (5-3, 3-2 Big Sky) to get the win at Portland State (2-6, 1-4 Big Sky) on Saturday night. The Bears played their first overtime game since 2010 and outlasted the Vikings 56-49.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The first half saw hiccups on both sides of the ball as the Bears had a difficult time wrapping up on defense and finding a rhythm on offense.
After holding the Vikings to a field goal attempt and forcing and recovering a fumble, Northern Colorado's defense allowed three straight TDs from PSU.
Portland State went on methodical scoring drives of 74, 60 and 80 yards that chewed up at least five minutes or more of the clock each time to go up 21-13 at the half.
UNC's lone touchdown came in the second quarter on a 26-yard pass from senior QB, Kyle Sloter to redshirt sophomore back, Trae Riek. Other than that, two senior kicker, Jamie Falloon field goals from 24 and 32 yards kept the Bears within contention.
The second half was much, much different. UNC's offense exploded for four touchdowns and a two point conversion in the third quarter to retake the lead 42-35. The team's 29 points in the third set a new Division I program record for most points scored in a quarter.
Northern Colorado got a touchdown reception from redshirt sophomore wide out, Alex Wesley, redshirt sophomore junior, Hakeem Deggs and got two ground scores from Sloter and redshirt junior RB, Brandon Cartagena.
The defense did a better job at containing Portland State's lethal run game, allowing just two scores from the Viks in the third.
The fourth quarter was a repeat of the first. The Vikings defense limited Northern Colorado to just one score, while their offense picked up two TDs, including one with 1:12 remaining to force OT.
UNC needed just two plays in overtime to seal the win. The Bears took a shot to the end zone on the very first play of the extra period and earned a pass interference call, moving them to the 10 yard line.
On the very next play, Cartagena scampered in to the end zone for his third score of the evening to put UNC up 56-49. The Bears' defense did the rest, stopping PSU on the 8 yard line on fourth down to earn its first OT win under head coach, Earnest Collins Jr.
GAME CHANGER(S):
Senior wide out, Stephen Miller had a career day. Miller hauled in seven grabs for 143 yards to lead the receiving corps. The 143-yards receiving is a new career-high and the third 100-yard receiving game of the season.
Redshirt junior running back, Brandon Cartagena found the end zone for a career-high three times. He finished the game with 85 yards on just eight carries (10.2 ypc).
KEY STAT:
The Bears' offense produced 29 points in the third quarter, setting a new UNC Division I program record for points scored in a quarter, besting the previous record of 28.
IN THEIR WORDS:
Head Coach, Earnest Collins Jr.
"We knew our offense could score and when Sloter's on he can play with the best of them. I'm glad we had 56 (points) tonight because we had problems with that quarterback (Alex Kuresa) all night long. That kid is special. You don't know if he's going to keep it, or drop back and throw – I mean he's an extra running back, back there for them."
"We had to come up with something on the sidelines to get him under control and we did a great job on the first play of overtime of getting Kuresa to the ground, but he is a special player, one of the best in this conference – I'm just glad to come out of here with a win."
"It was another great team effort tonight, our defense was struggling and our offense stepped up in the second half and pulled us out of a hole and then our defense got the stop in overtime. It just proves how far this program has come. Three years ago, we would have folded at the end, but we didn't tonight, we kept fighting and we're coming out of here with a W."
Senior Wide Receiver, Stephen Miller
"It just feels good to win, honestly. It was fun to play overtime – that was the first time I had ever been a part of a game like that. It was good to see the offense and defense clicking in that one period. There were no real changes at the half. We knew we were messing up in the first half and we just came out and did what we were supposed to do."
Redshirt Junior Running Back, Brandon Cartagena
"Getting in the end zone in overtime felt a lot better after the defense came up with the stop at the end – it was great to come out of here with a victory. It was a hard fought team win. Everyone just fought to the end. Everyone grinded together and I'm proud of everyone in this locker room right now. Running backs, defense, DBs, linebackers, everybody – it was hard fought win."
NOTABLES:
- The Bears produced over 500 yards of total offense for the second time this season, with 558 yards. Both teams combined for over a 1,000 yards of offense with PSU finishing with 549 yards.
- UNC recovered its eighth fumble of the season. Senior DT, Myles Overton came up with the recovery, his third of the year.
- Northern Colorado finally got its first interception of the season. Senior CB, Thomas Singleton picked off PSU QB, Alex Kuresa in the third quarter.
- Senior QB, Kyle Sloter had another 300-yard performance, his third of the season. Sloter was 20-of-31 for 313 yards and three touchdown passes. He has now tied UNC's Division I single season touchdown passes record of 19 TD passes set by former QB, Seth Lobato in 2012.
- Senior kicker, Jamie Falloon has now made four consecutive field goals. Falloon notched two kicks from 24 yards and 32 yards in the win.
- Senior defensive end, Mikhail Dubose finished with double-digit tackles. Dubose was good for 10 stops, including 2.5 Tackles for a Loss and one forced fumble.
- This was the first overtime game played in Coach Collins' six seasons. The last time UNC played in OT came at Weber State in 2010, a game that went to four overtimes.
UP NEXT:
The Bears will finish out their home schedule with back-to-back games against North Dakota on Nov. 5 and Montana on Nov. 12. Tickets for each game can be purchased online here. UNC will be celebrating Ag & Energy Day on the 5th and Military Appreciation Day on the 12th, along with honoring the program's seniors on Senior Day.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The first half saw hiccups on both sides of the ball as the Bears had a difficult time wrapping up on defense and finding a rhythm on offense.
After holding the Vikings to a field goal attempt and forcing and recovering a fumble, Northern Colorado's defense allowed three straight TDs from PSU.
Portland State went on methodical scoring drives of 74, 60 and 80 yards that chewed up at least five minutes or more of the clock each time to go up 21-13 at the half.
UNC's lone touchdown came in the second quarter on a 26-yard pass from senior QB, Kyle Sloter to redshirt sophomore back, Trae Riek. Other than that, two senior kicker, Jamie Falloon field goals from 24 and 32 yards kept the Bears within contention.
The second half was much, much different. UNC's offense exploded for four touchdowns and a two point conversion in the third quarter to retake the lead 42-35. The team's 29 points in the third set a new Division I program record for most points scored in a quarter.
Northern Colorado got a touchdown reception from redshirt sophomore wide out, Alex Wesley, redshirt sophomore junior, Hakeem Deggs and got two ground scores from Sloter and redshirt junior RB, Brandon Cartagena.
The defense did a better job at containing Portland State's lethal run game, allowing just two scores from the Viks in the third.
The fourth quarter was a repeat of the first. The Vikings defense limited Northern Colorado to just one score, while their offense picked up two TDs, including one with 1:12 remaining to force OT.
UNC needed just two plays in overtime to seal the win. The Bears took a shot to the end zone on the very first play of the extra period and earned a pass interference call, moving them to the 10 yard line.
On the very next play, Cartagena scampered in to the end zone for his third score of the evening to put UNC up 56-49. The Bears' defense did the rest, stopping PSU on the 8 yard line on fourth down to earn its first OT win under head coach, Earnest Collins Jr.
GAME CHANGER(S):
Senior wide out, Stephen Miller had a career day. Miller hauled in seven grabs for 143 yards to lead the receiving corps. The 143-yards receiving is a new career-high and the third 100-yard receiving game of the season.
Redshirt junior running back, Brandon Cartagena found the end zone for a career-high three times. He finished the game with 85 yards on just eight carries (10.2 ypc).
KEY STAT:
The Bears' offense produced 29 points in the third quarter, setting a new UNC Division I program record for points scored in a quarter, besting the previous record of 28.
IN THEIR WORDS:
Head Coach, Earnest Collins Jr.
"We knew our offense could score and when Sloter's on he can play with the best of them. I'm glad we had 56 (points) tonight because we had problems with that quarterback (Alex Kuresa) all night long. That kid is special. You don't know if he's going to keep it, or drop back and throw – I mean he's an extra running back, back there for them."
"We had to come up with something on the sidelines to get him under control and we did a great job on the first play of overtime of getting Kuresa to the ground, but he is a special player, one of the best in this conference – I'm just glad to come out of here with a win."
"It was another great team effort tonight, our defense was struggling and our offense stepped up in the second half and pulled us out of a hole and then our defense got the stop in overtime. It just proves how far this program has come. Three years ago, we would have folded at the end, but we didn't tonight, we kept fighting and we're coming out of here with a W."
Senior Wide Receiver, Stephen Miller
"It just feels good to win, honestly. It was fun to play overtime – that was the first time I had ever been a part of a game like that. It was good to see the offense and defense clicking in that one period. There were no real changes at the half. We knew we were messing up in the first half and we just came out and did what we were supposed to do."
Redshirt Junior Running Back, Brandon Cartagena
"Getting in the end zone in overtime felt a lot better after the defense came up with the stop at the end – it was great to come out of here with a victory. It was a hard fought team win. Everyone just fought to the end. Everyone grinded together and I'm proud of everyone in this locker room right now. Running backs, defense, DBs, linebackers, everybody – it was hard fought win."
NOTABLES:
- The Bears produced over 500 yards of total offense for the second time this season, with 558 yards. Both teams combined for over a 1,000 yards of offense with PSU finishing with 549 yards.
- UNC recovered its eighth fumble of the season. Senior DT, Myles Overton came up with the recovery, his third of the year.
- Northern Colorado finally got its first interception of the season. Senior CB, Thomas Singleton picked off PSU QB, Alex Kuresa in the third quarter.
- Senior QB, Kyle Sloter had another 300-yard performance, his third of the season. Sloter was 20-of-31 for 313 yards and three touchdown passes. He has now tied UNC's Division I single season touchdown passes record of 19 TD passes set by former QB, Seth Lobato in 2012.
- Senior kicker, Jamie Falloon has now made four consecutive field goals. Falloon notched two kicks from 24 yards and 32 yards in the win.
- Senior defensive end, Mikhail Dubose finished with double-digit tackles. Dubose was good for 10 stops, including 2.5 Tackles for a Loss and one forced fumble.
- This was the first overtime game played in Coach Collins' six seasons. The last time UNC played in OT came at Weber State in 2010, a game that went to four overtimes.
UP NEXT:
The Bears will finish out their home schedule with back-to-back games against North Dakota on Nov. 5 and Montana on Nov. 12. Tickets for each game can be purchased online here. UNC will be celebrating Ag & Energy Day on the 5th and Military Appreciation Day on the 12th, along with honoring the program's seniors on Senior Day.
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