University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Photo by: Rob Trubia
Preview: @UNCBearsFB Hosts Montana State for Homecoming
10/18/2017 8:18:00 AM | Football
Northern Colorado football returns home Saturday afternoon to host Montana State on Homecoming weekend.
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado (2-3, 1-2 Big Sky) returns to the Nottingham Field on Saturday after enjoying a bye week last week, looking to get back to the winning ways when they host Montana State (2-4, 2-2 Big Sky) for Homecoming. The Bears and Bobcats are set for a 12:30 pm MT kickoff.
The game will be aired on ATT Sports Net and Root Sports. There will be no streaming of the game on WatchBigSky.com or Pluto TV. Fans can also tune into the radio broadcast of the game by Troy Coverdale and Aaron Rath on 1310 KFKA and find live stats on UNCBears.com. For those on social media, fans can look for updates throughout the game at @UNCBearsFB on Twitter.
Gameday Happenings
It's Homecoming Week and fans new and old can enjoy the Pepsi Fan Fest that includes live music, a beer garden, bounce houses and other great activities for the whole family before the game. The parking lots open at 9 am. Those attending the game can also reserve a spot in the tailgating area for just $25, or $35 for RVs, but should act quickly, as spots are going fast. For more information about Fan Fest and to reserve a tailgating spot, call or email Brian Lukas at brian.lukas@unco.edu or 970-351-4409.
If you have not bought your ticket yet for Saturday's game, fans can take advantage of some great deals and give back to the community by doing so with these online-only promo codes. By using the promo code CHEER17, fans can purchase a $10 general admission ticket, with $5 of that purchase going back to the UNC cheer program. Fans may also use the promo code FBROTARY17 for a $10 general admission ticket, and $5 of the purchase will go back to the Greeley Rotary Club. Fees may apply when purchasing using the codes.
Make Saturday a full day with UNC Athletics by first cheering on the Bears football team and then heading over to Bank of Colorado Arena Saturday night when UNC volleyball hosts Idaho State at 6 pm. Fans who present their ticket from the football game to the box office can purchase volleyball tickets for just $3!
Setting the Stage
Both Northern Colorado and Montana State look to get back in the win column on Saturday after each dropped their most recent games. UNC is coming off a bye week, while the Bobcats are back on the road after falling to Eastern Washington last weekend 31-19 in Cheney.
Northern Colorado is coming off a bye week, after dropping a pair of road games, most recently to North Dakota 48-38, on October 7. UNC used a run of 24 straight points to gain a 31-28 lead in the game but was unable to hold on, as the Fighting Hawks outscored the Bears 20-7 the rest of the way. In the loss, Northern Colorado also lost its starting quarterback Jacob Knipp to a sprained left shoulder that will cause him to miss 6-8 weeks. North Dakota used a strong run game against UNC, gaining 314 yards on the ground and scoring five touchdowns that way.
Montana State entered last Saturday's game against Eastern Washington but was unable to leave the red turf with a victory, falling 31-19. MSU went down 10-0 early on and did not make it a close game until early in the fourth quarter when they trailed 24-19. Quarterback Chris Murray passed for 135 yards and a touchdown while adding 88 more yards with his legs and another touchdown.
- The Bears and Bobcats sit in the middle of the pack of the Big Sky Conference. MSU is a half-game ahead of UNC for seventh place. Eastern Washington (4-0) and North Dakota (3-0) are the only remaining undefeated teams remaining in conference play.
Scouting Montana State
Montana State enters Saturday's game with a 2-4 record and 2-2 in Big Sky play, dropping its most recent game to Eastern Washington last weekend 31-19 in Cheney. The Bobcats have faced a challenging schedule playing against four ranked teams in the FCS polls in South Dakota State, North Dakota, Weber State and Eastern Washington, while also taking of FBS Top 25 ranked Washington State to begin the season. The team's two wins came against North Dakota (49-21) and Portland State (30-22).
Offensively, MSU is a ground and pound team relying heavily on the run game and controlling the clock. The Bobcats are averaging 245.2 yards rushing per game. Dual-threat quarterback Chris Murray leads the team in rushing with 631 yards and four touchdowns. As a passer, he has completed 50.0 percent of his passes for 781 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior linebacker Mac Bignell leads the
Montana State defense as he has accumulated 48 tackles, nine of them for a loss and two sacks over six games. He only trails defensive back Bryson McCabe in tackles on the team, McCabe has 51. As a unit, MSU's defense is holding its opponents to 26.8 points per game. Montana State is all alone in seventh place in the Big Sky standings with the 2-2 conference record, a half-game ahead of the Bears.
Last Time Against MSU
It has been almost four years since Northern Colorado and Montana State last met, back in 2013. In that game, the Bears gave the Bobcats all they could handle in a tightly contested 35-28 game in Greeley. The Bobcats escaped Greeley with the victory thanks to a defense that held UNC to just 76 yards in the second half. Northern Colorado quarterback Seth Lobato passed for 291 yards and a touchdown in the game.
History Against the Bobcats
The series between Northern Colorado and Montana State dates back to 1923 when the Bears hosted the Bobcats for homecoming. MSU came away with the victory over UNC 49-12. It is the only time the two teams have faced off on Northern Colorado's homecoming, until this year. Overall, Montana State leads the series 19-10-1, including currently holding a six-game win streak. The Bears and Bobcats have not faced each other since 2013 when MSU escaped Greeley with a 35-28 win. The last Northern Colorado win in the series came in 2007 at home.
On This Date
Saturday's game is just the second time since the calendar turned to the 2000s that Northern Colorado will play on October 21. The other came in the year 2000 when the team lost at South Dakota 27-6. Overall, on the date UNC is 4-7.
The Month of October
UNC is 160-170-2 all-time in the month of October. Under head coach Earnest Collins, the team is 7-18.
Homecoming Week
It's homecoming week for the University of Northern Colorado, and the Bears are looking to extend its win streak in homecoming games to four. UNC defeated Northern Arizona, UC Davis and Sacramento State over the past three homecomings. Saturday's matchup is only the second time the Bears hosted Montana State for homecoming, the other came in 1923, where MSU won 49-12. Overall, Northern Colorado is 40-17 on homecoming weekend.
Big Play Offense
Northern Colorado's offense has been moving the ball in chunks throughout the season, through the first five games of the year the team has 18 plays gaining 20 or more yards. Thirteen of those have come by pass and five by run. Those big pass plays have helped UNC average 14.35 yards per completion this season, ranking fourth in the Big Sky and 19th in the nation. A big reason for that includes a pair of 50+ yard touchdowns from wide receiver Alex Wesley. He caught a 52-yard pass at Colorado and followed it up with a 59-yard touchdown a week later against Idaho State. Despite the injury to quarterback Jacob Knipp, the Bears will look to continue to pick up yardage in big chunks.
See Wesley Run
Bear fans knew that Alex Wesley possessed great speed, as he is not only a football player for UNC but also a track and field athlete and Big Sky Champion. Wesley won the 400-meter dash both his freshman and sophomore season on the track team, bring those skills over to the football field. He already has a pair of touchdowns over 50 yards this year, one at Colorado for 52 yards and another against Idaho State of 59 yards.
He has become one of the favorite targets of UNC's quarterbacks, catching a team-leading 27 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns. He has led the team in receiving yards three times this year and is averaging 93.2 yards per game thanks to his 17.3 yards per catch.
Opportunistic Defense
After only recording 13 turnovers last season, Northern Colorado has already forced 11 through five games in 2017. Stone Kane has helped lead the charge for UNC when it comes to turnovers with a pair of interceptions, and a fumble recovery this season. Four different Bears have intercepted a pass, and six different players have recovered a fumble. The six fumble recoveries by the team rank first in the Big Sky and 21st in all of FCS football.
Fumbles were key to Northern Colorado working its way back into the game against North Dakota as a strip sack by Luke Nelson led to a scoop and score for Khairi Bailey. On the ensuing kickoff it was another fumble recovery for UNC that allowed the team to get within four before the half ended.
All Three Phases of the Game
Coaches preach it all the time, but it takes all three phases of the game to win, and Northern Colorado has one of the best special teams units in the nation. Returners Hakeem Deggs and Ellis Onic II give coaches fits in figuring out how to contain them, while the kicking game is just as dangerous. Collin Root has shown the importance of his powerful and accurate leg through five games this year. Root nailed a UNC record for the longest field goal against College of Idaho at 56 yards. He then hit the game-winning 37-yard attempt as time expired against Idaho State. His kickoffs have been important for the Bears as 15 of his 27 have gone for a touchback.
Party in the Backfield
Defensive end Keifer Morris has been a terror to opposing backfields through five games this season. The senior recorded a sack in the first three games and has a total of 4.0 on the year. In addition to the sacks, he has 3.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of QB hurries. As a team, Northern Colorado has recorded 12 sacks and has 20 tackles for a loss.
Running Through The Record Book
Running back Trae Riek has been working his way through the UNC record book ever since he stepped foot on the UNC campus. He moved into the Top 10 of all-time rushing yards four weeks ago. For his career, Riek has rushed for 1,843 yards for seventh all-time. The next person in his sights is Chuck Taibi (1974-76) and his 2,191 yards.
Weekly Honors
Northern Colorado football earned a few weekly honors with from its performance against Idaho State on September 23rd. Collin Root earned his second Root Sports Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week honor for his game-winning kick. Meanwhile, quarterback Jacob Knipp earned honorable mention honors from the College Football Performance Players of the Week as he threw for a career-high 413 yards and four touchdowns. Finally, College Sports Madness named Stone Kane their Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, as he recorded an interception, had 11 total tackles and broke up a pass.
Bear in the NFL
Former UNC Bear Kyle Sloter made the most of his opportunity in training camp with the Denver Broncos this August, earning him a spot on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. Just before week tow games started, Sloter signed onto the team's active roster. In his four preseason games with the Broncos, Sloter had a 72.1-percent completion percentage leading to 413 yards and three touchdowns, throwing no interceptions.
What's Next?
Northern Colorado stays at home next week when they host Southern Utah at 12:30 pm. The Bears and Thunderbirds last played each other in 2015.
On the Tube
Northern Colorado football will be featured on the TV all-year long. Four of the five home games will be featured on TV, and five of the six road games. Complete schedule below:
During conference season, all games can be seen both on Pluto TV and WatchBigSky.com.
Coaches Show
Back again for the 2017 season is the Earnest Collins Coaches Show. The weekly show takes place live every Tuesday night during the season at Stuft Burger Bar in downtown Greeley from 6 - 7 pm. If you are unable to attend, you can tune in on 1310 KFKA at the time or see a broadcast of the show on CET Sports both Thursdays at 7 pm and Fridays at 3 pm.
The game will be aired on ATT Sports Net and Root Sports. There will be no streaming of the game on WatchBigSky.com or Pluto TV. Fans can also tune into the radio broadcast of the game by Troy Coverdale and Aaron Rath on 1310 KFKA and find live stats on UNCBears.com. For those on social media, fans can look for updates throughout the game at @UNCBearsFB on Twitter.
Gameday Happenings
It's Homecoming Week and fans new and old can enjoy the Pepsi Fan Fest that includes live music, a beer garden, bounce houses and other great activities for the whole family before the game. The parking lots open at 9 am. Those attending the game can also reserve a spot in the tailgating area for just $25, or $35 for RVs, but should act quickly, as spots are going fast. For more information about Fan Fest and to reserve a tailgating spot, call or email Brian Lukas at brian.lukas@unco.edu or 970-351-4409.
If you have not bought your ticket yet for Saturday's game, fans can take advantage of some great deals and give back to the community by doing so with these online-only promo codes. By using the promo code CHEER17, fans can purchase a $10 general admission ticket, with $5 of that purchase going back to the UNC cheer program. Fans may also use the promo code FBROTARY17 for a $10 general admission ticket, and $5 of the purchase will go back to the Greeley Rotary Club. Fees may apply when purchasing using the codes.
Make Saturday a full day with UNC Athletics by first cheering on the Bears football team and then heading over to Bank of Colorado Arena Saturday night when UNC volleyball hosts Idaho State at 6 pm. Fans who present their ticket from the football game to the box office can purchase volleyball tickets for just $3!
Setting the Stage
Both Northern Colorado and Montana State look to get back in the win column on Saturday after each dropped their most recent games. UNC is coming off a bye week, while the Bobcats are back on the road after falling to Eastern Washington last weekend 31-19 in Cheney.
Northern Colorado is coming off a bye week, after dropping a pair of road games, most recently to North Dakota 48-38, on October 7. UNC used a run of 24 straight points to gain a 31-28 lead in the game but was unable to hold on, as the Fighting Hawks outscored the Bears 20-7 the rest of the way. In the loss, Northern Colorado also lost its starting quarterback Jacob Knipp to a sprained left shoulder that will cause him to miss 6-8 weeks. North Dakota used a strong run game against UNC, gaining 314 yards on the ground and scoring five touchdowns that way.
Montana State entered last Saturday's game against Eastern Washington but was unable to leave the red turf with a victory, falling 31-19. MSU went down 10-0 early on and did not make it a close game until early in the fourth quarter when they trailed 24-19. Quarterback Chris Murray passed for 135 yards and a touchdown while adding 88 more yards with his legs and another touchdown.
- The Bears and Bobcats sit in the middle of the pack of the Big Sky Conference. MSU is a half-game ahead of UNC for seventh place. Eastern Washington (4-0) and North Dakota (3-0) are the only remaining undefeated teams remaining in conference play.
Scouting Montana State
Montana State enters Saturday's game with a 2-4 record and 2-2 in Big Sky play, dropping its most recent game to Eastern Washington last weekend 31-19 in Cheney. The Bobcats have faced a challenging schedule playing against four ranked teams in the FCS polls in South Dakota State, North Dakota, Weber State and Eastern Washington, while also taking of FBS Top 25 ranked Washington State to begin the season. The team's two wins came against North Dakota (49-21) and Portland State (30-22).
Offensively, MSU is a ground and pound team relying heavily on the run game and controlling the clock. The Bobcats are averaging 245.2 yards rushing per game. Dual-threat quarterback Chris Murray leads the team in rushing with 631 yards and four touchdowns. As a passer, he has completed 50.0 percent of his passes for 781 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior linebacker Mac Bignell leads the
Montana State defense as he has accumulated 48 tackles, nine of them for a loss and two sacks over six games. He only trails defensive back Bryson McCabe in tackles on the team, McCabe has 51. As a unit, MSU's defense is holding its opponents to 26.8 points per game. Montana State is all alone in seventh place in the Big Sky standings with the 2-2 conference record, a half-game ahead of the Bears.
Last Time Against MSU
It has been almost four years since Northern Colorado and Montana State last met, back in 2013. In that game, the Bears gave the Bobcats all they could handle in a tightly contested 35-28 game in Greeley. The Bobcats escaped Greeley with the victory thanks to a defense that held UNC to just 76 yards in the second half. Northern Colorado quarterback Seth Lobato passed for 291 yards and a touchdown in the game.
History Against the Bobcats
The series between Northern Colorado and Montana State dates back to 1923 when the Bears hosted the Bobcats for homecoming. MSU came away with the victory over UNC 49-12. It is the only time the two teams have faced off on Northern Colorado's homecoming, until this year. Overall, Montana State leads the series 19-10-1, including currently holding a six-game win streak. The Bears and Bobcats have not faced each other since 2013 when MSU escaped Greeley with a 35-28 win. The last Northern Colorado win in the series came in 2007 at home.
On This Date
Saturday's game is just the second time since the calendar turned to the 2000s that Northern Colorado will play on October 21. The other came in the year 2000 when the team lost at South Dakota 27-6. Overall, on the date UNC is 4-7.
The Month of October
UNC is 160-170-2 all-time in the month of October. Under head coach Earnest Collins, the team is 7-18.
Homecoming Week
It's homecoming week for the University of Northern Colorado, and the Bears are looking to extend its win streak in homecoming games to four. UNC defeated Northern Arizona, UC Davis and Sacramento State over the past three homecomings. Saturday's matchup is only the second time the Bears hosted Montana State for homecoming, the other came in 1923, where MSU won 49-12. Overall, Northern Colorado is 40-17 on homecoming weekend.
Big Play Offense
Northern Colorado's offense has been moving the ball in chunks throughout the season, through the first five games of the year the team has 18 plays gaining 20 or more yards. Thirteen of those have come by pass and five by run. Those big pass plays have helped UNC average 14.35 yards per completion this season, ranking fourth in the Big Sky and 19th in the nation. A big reason for that includes a pair of 50+ yard touchdowns from wide receiver Alex Wesley. He caught a 52-yard pass at Colorado and followed it up with a 59-yard touchdown a week later against Idaho State. Despite the injury to quarterback Jacob Knipp, the Bears will look to continue to pick up yardage in big chunks.
See Wesley Run
Bear fans knew that Alex Wesley possessed great speed, as he is not only a football player for UNC but also a track and field athlete and Big Sky Champion. Wesley won the 400-meter dash both his freshman and sophomore season on the track team, bring those skills over to the football field. He already has a pair of touchdowns over 50 yards this year, one at Colorado for 52 yards and another against Idaho State of 59 yards.
He has become one of the favorite targets of UNC's quarterbacks, catching a team-leading 27 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns. He has led the team in receiving yards three times this year and is averaging 93.2 yards per game thanks to his 17.3 yards per catch.
Opportunistic Defense
After only recording 13 turnovers last season, Northern Colorado has already forced 11 through five games in 2017. Stone Kane has helped lead the charge for UNC when it comes to turnovers with a pair of interceptions, and a fumble recovery this season. Four different Bears have intercepted a pass, and six different players have recovered a fumble. The six fumble recoveries by the team rank first in the Big Sky and 21st in all of FCS football.
Fumbles were key to Northern Colorado working its way back into the game against North Dakota as a strip sack by Luke Nelson led to a scoop and score for Khairi Bailey. On the ensuing kickoff it was another fumble recovery for UNC that allowed the team to get within four before the half ended.
All Three Phases of the Game
Coaches preach it all the time, but it takes all three phases of the game to win, and Northern Colorado has one of the best special teams units in the nation. Returners Hakeem Deggs and Ellis Onic II give coaches fits in figuring out how to contain them, while the kicking game is just as dangerous. Collin Root has shown the importance of his powerful and accurate leg through five games this year. Root nailed a UNC record for the longest field goal against College of Idaho at 56 yards. He then hit the game-winning 37-yard attempt as time expired against Idaho State. His kickoffs have been important for the Bears as 15 of his 27 have gone for a touchback.
Party in the Backfield
Defensive end Keifer Morris has been a terror to opposing backfields through five games this season. The senior recorded a sack in the first three games and has a total of 4.0 on the year. In addition to the sacks, he has 3.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of QB hurries. As a team, Northern Colorado has recorded 12 sacks and has 20 tackles for a loss.
Running Through The Record Book
Running back Trae Riek has been working his way through the UNC record book ever since he stepped foot on the UNC campus. He moved into the Top 10 of all-time rushing yards four weeks ago. For his career, Riek has rushed for 1,843 yards for seventh all-time. The next person in his sights is Chuck Taibi (1974-76) and his 2,191 yards.
Weekly Honors
Northern Colorado football earned a few weekly honors with from its performance against Idaho State on September 23rd. Collin Root earned his second Root Sports Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week honor for his game-winning kick. Meanwhile, quarterback Jacob Knipp earned honorable mention honors from the College Football Performance Players of the Week as he threw for a career-high 413 yards and four touchdowns. Finally, College Sports Madness named Stone Kane their Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, as he recorded an interception, had 11 total tackles and broke up a pass.
Bear in the NFL
Former UNC Bear Kyle Sloter made the most of his opportunity in training camp with the Denver Broncos this August, earning him a spot on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. Just before week tow games started, Sloter signed onto the team's active roster. In his four preseason games with the Broncos, Sloter had a 72.1-percent completion percentage leading to 413 yards and three touchdowns, throwing no interceptions.
What's Next?
Northern Colorado stays at home next week when they host Southern Utah at 12:30 pm. The Bears and Thunderbirds last played each other in 2015.
On the Tube
Northern Colorado football will be featured on the TV all-year long. Four of the five home games will be featured on TV, and five of the six road games. Complete schedule below:
CET | SEC Network |
9/2 - vs College of Idaho | 9/9 - at Florida |
10/28 - vs Southern Utah | PAC 12 Network |
11/18 - vs Cal Poly | 9/16 - at Colorado |
Root Sports | Eleven Sports |
10/21 - vs Montana State | 11/4 - at Sacramento State |
11/11 - at Montana |
During conference season, all games can be seen both on Pluto TV and WatchBigSky.com.
Coaches Show
Back again for the 2017 season is the Earnest Collins Coaches Show. The weekly show takes place live every Tuesday night during the season at Stuft Burger Bar in downtown Greeley from 6 - 7 pm. If you are unable to attend, you can tune in on 1310 KFKA at the time or see a broadcast of the show on CET Sports both Thursdays at 7 pm and Fridays at 3 pm.
Players Mentioned
Lyndsey Oates Post Game Press Conference vs Sacramento State
Friday, October 10
Ed Lamb Press Conference 10/8/25
Wednesday, October 08
Football Building Champions 2025
Tuesday, October 07
Swim & Dive Building Champions 2025
Tuesday, October 07