University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, November 12
Greeley, CO
12:05 p.m.
University of Northern Colorado
6-4 , 4-3
28
vs
25
University of Montana
6-4 , 3-4
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Montana
3
9
0
13
25
Northern Colorado
14
0
7
7
28
Team Stats
UM
UNCO
Total Yards
400
241
Pass Yards
172
100
Rushing Yards
228
141
Penalty Yards
56
36
1st Downs
25
12
3rd Downs
9
3
4th Downs
2
0
TOP
39:09
20:51
1st Quarter
UM 0, UNCO 7
UNCO - Hakeem Deggs 58 yd pass from Kyle Sloter (Jamie Falloon kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:06
UM 0, UNCO 14
UNCO - M. Dubose 13 yd blocked punt return (Jamie Falloon kick)
UM 3, UNCO 14
UM - Tim Semenza 22 yd field goal 9 plays, 53 yards, TOP 4:37
2nd Quarter
UM 9, UNCO 14
UM - Joey Counts 5 yd run (Tim Semenza kickblocked), 8 plays, 45 yards, TOP 3:09
UM 12, UNCO 14
UM - Tim Semenza 22 yd field goal 8 plays, 15 yards, TOP 1:44
3rd Quarter
UM 12, UNCO 21
UNCO - Darius Graham 38 yd run (Jamie Falloon kick), 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:08
4th Quarter
UM 19, UNCO 21
UM - Joey Counts 2 yd run (Brandon Purdy kick), 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:08
UM 25, UNCO 21
UM - Chad Chalich 2 yd run (Chad Chalich rushfumbled), 8 plays, 50 yards, TOP 2:54
UM 25, UNCO 28
UNCO - Theron Verna 5 yd pass from Kyle Sloter (Jamie Falloon kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:43
Game Leaders
CMP
6
TD
2
YDS
100
INT
1
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
TE
/ FootballPhoto by: Rob Trubia
@UNCBEARSFB Make History With Win Over No. 18 Montana
11/12/2016 5:47:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado (6-4, 4-3 Big Sky) sent its seniors off with style in the team's last home game of the season. The Bears made history, knocking off No. 18 Montana (6-4, 3-4 Big Sky) 28-25 on Saturday afternoon.
It was the first time in Division I program history UNC defeated the Griz, and the first win in the all-time series since 1976 (40 years). The victory also ensured that the Bears finish with another winning record, making it the first time since the 2002 and 2003 seasons the program has had back-to-back winning records.
How It Happened:
The Bears shot out of the gates, needing just 1:06 to put points up on the scoreboard. Senior QB, Kyle Sloter connected with redshirt junior wide out, Hakeem Deggs on crossing route and he took care of the rest, sprinting 58 yards to give UNC a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing Montana drive, UNC's defense forced the Griz to a three-and-out on their 31 yard line, and on came the UM punt team.
A bobbled snap by the punter, Eric Williams gave senior defensive end, Mikhail Dubose just enough time to rush in and block the kick, which he then picked up the loose ball and ran 13 yards the other way for a touchdown to push the Bears' lead to 14-0.
From there, the UNC defense did their part, holding the Griz to a field goal in the first quarter, and nine points in the second quarter.
Montana running back, Joey Counts punched it in from five yards out midway through the second quarter, but the PAT attempt after the score was blocked by Dubose, making it 14-9.
UM made its second field goal of the game just before the half, but Northern Colorado still claimed the lead, 14-12.
The Bears offense gave the defense some time to breathe after the intermission, particularly behind the run game of senior RB, Darius Graham. Graham broke free on a 38-yard dash at the end of the third quarter to give UNC a 21-12 advantage heading to the fourth and final quarter of play.
Montana responded with its back against the wall, putting together two touchdown drives in the fourth to take its first lead of the afternoon 25-21, with 7:18 remaining.
Facing adversity for the first time all game, UNC answered the call, driving 75 yards in nine plays for a score. The Bears capped off the drive with a five-yard TD pass from Sloter to redshirt sophomore tight end, Theron Verna, his second touchdown in as many games, giving Northern Colorado a 28-25 lead.
As they had done all game, Northern Colorado's defense shut down the Griz, forcing a turnover on downs and a sealing the win over the Top 25 ranked program.
Game Changer(s):
UNC got exceptional play from its seniors on Saturday. Senior RB, Darius Graham rushed for 130 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown.
Senior LB, Kyle Newsom recorded a game-high 17 tackles, 3.0 tackles for a loss and 1.0 sack. It was the second time in as many weeks Newsom had 17 tackles. The senior now has 103 tackles on the season, making him just the fourth player in UNC Division I history to reach the century mark.
Senior DE, Mikhail Dubose returned a blocked punt for a touchdown early on in the first quarter. Dubose finished with two blocks on the afternoon as he blocked a PAT attempt in the second quarter as well.
Key Stat:
Montana bested Northern Colorado in nearly every statistical category on the day except one, the win column. It was the first time in 40 years the Bears had beat the Griz, and the first time this season the program defeated a nationally ranked opponent.
In Their Words:
Senior Running Back, Darius Graham
"First off, my hat's off to the offensive line, they really played their butts off. The tight ends and the fullbacks made the crease and I just pressed the heels and saw the holes and hit them. It just feels good. I just wanted to leave with a bang and leave my mark somehow and my teammates had my back all four years. I just gave it everything I had today."
Redshirt Sophomore Tight End, Theron Verna
On the game winning touchdown:
"It's just a little play action we put in and it's always a good one to have in our back pocket because Darius [Graham] and the guys up front were working us down the field and we just have to ready when the ball is thrown to us as tight ends. I was just thinking that my team loves me and we're going to win this ball game – you don't think about making mistakes. You think about the guys around you and 5:00 a.m. work outs and all that stuff and just making the play for your family."
Senior Linebacker, Kyle Newsom
"I've been battling some injuries, so those first few games were kind of hard on me. The reason why I'm playing so well is because of passion. I have a lot of passion for this game and this team. Every time I go out there I want to play for my brothers and give it everything I have. That's why I don't like to come off that field – I don't want to tap out. I try to stay on and do the best I can."
Head Coach Earnest Collins Jr.
"I'm just thrilled for our kids, nothing else really matters. Last week they were hurting walking off that field because they felt they should have gotten that one. I'm just proud of this team. This is one of those wins that can be a benchmark for your program to keep moving forward. You name it, it was awesome to sit and watch the game today from the defense being patient – making them (Montana) go methodically down the field, to the offense coming out and getting some points on the board right away. Just to see the smiles on the kids' faces after the game is why I do this job. It was just an awesome day all the way around. "
Notables:
- After missing last week with an injury, redshirt sophomore, Trae Riek came back on to the field in the fourth quarter and rushed for 46 yards on just seven carries. Riek was one of the key pieces that helped lead the offense on the game-winning drive.
- Montana ran 95 plays on the day for 400 total yards of offense, compared to the 47 plays for 241 yards that UNC had.
- Northern Colorado's defense held the Griz to just 25 points on the afternoon, it was just the third time this season Montana has been limited to 25 points or less, as they came into the game averaging 43.6 points per game.
- Senior corner, Thomas Singleton was the other Bear to finish the day with double-digit tackles. Singleton racked up 12 stops on the afternoon.
- Redshirt junior wide out, Hakeem Deggs recorded his seventh touchdown reception of the season.
- Northern Colorado finishes the season with a 4-1 home record, the best record they've had at Nottingham Field since 2003, when they went 5-0.
Up Next:
Northern Colorado will attempt to keep its playoff hopes alive with a visit to Cal Poly next Saturday, Nov. 19. Kickoff against the Mustangs is set for 7:05 p.m. (MT).
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