University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Preview: @UNCBearsFB Faces Tough Test Against Southern Utah Saturday
10/25/2017 12:52:00 PM | Football
Northern Colorado football looks to end three-game losing streak when Southern Utah comes to town
GREELEY, Colo. – The Northern Colorado (2-4, 1-3 Big Sky) football team faces a tough test on Saturday afternoon when No. 25/RV Southern Utah (5-2, 3-1 Big Sky) comes to town for a Big Sky Conference matchup. Kickoff between the Bears and Thunderbirds is set for 12:30 pm.
The game is being aired on CET, or through Pluto TV or WatchBigSky.com. 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
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.
Saturday's game is being sponsored by Banner Health's Northern Colorado Medical Center as a part of the Cancer Awareness game. UNC Athletics along with the American Cancer Society will be collecting donations to help all of those effected by cancer. At halftime, UNC Athletics invites all cancer survivors to join in a lap around the track in recognition of their great fight.
Setting the Stage
Northern Colorado and Southern Utah are meeting for the first time since 2015. The Bears are looking to snap a three-game losing streak, while SUU comes to Greeley with a three-game win streak.
UNC held a 21-7 lead over Montana State at the half last Saturday, before the Bobcats out-scored the Bears 20-3 in the second half, including a game-winning field goal as time expired to defeat Northern Colorado 27-24. The Bears took advantage of big plays to take the early lead including an 80-yard touchdown pass to Frank Stephens, and an interception returned inside the MSU 25-yard line by Isaiah Swopes. Northern Colorado's offense struggled in the second half, allowing Montana State to work its way back into the game and then drive 73-yards for the game-winning field goal.
Southern Utah picked up its second straight win over a top 25 team last week when they took down No. 8 Eastern Washington 46-28. The Thunderbirds trailed 14-0 early on, but settled in and out-scored the Eagles 46-14 from the second quarter on, including shutting EWU over the final 11:32. SUU used its balanced offensive attack to defeat Eastern Washington as quarterback Patrick Tyler threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns while running back James Felila picked up 145 yards on the ground and two scores.
UNC and SUU are on opposite ends of the Big Sky standings heading into the weekend. Northern Colorado is tied for ninth in the conference with UC Davis with a 1-3 conference record. Meanwhile, Southern Utah is a game behind undefeated Northern Arizona for first place, with a 3-1 record.
Scouting Southern Utah
Southern Utah enters Saturday's game on a three-game win streak, including the past two against Top 25 teams. The Thunderbirds are 5-2 overall, with a 3-1 Big Sky record. They cracked the FCS Stats Top 25 this week claiming the No. 25 spot. SUU has a fairly balanced offensive attack averaging 258.9 yards through the air, and 178.0 on the ground. Patrick Tyler leads the T-Birds attack with his 63.2 completion percentage and his 13 passing touchdowns. Tyler averages 250.5 passing yards per game and has shown his ability to scramble for 206 yards this season and a pair of touchdowns. SUU's running attack is split between the legs of James Felila and Jay Green. Felila leads the team with 547 yards and seven touchdowns, while Green is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and four touchdowns for the season.
Defensively, Southern Utah is like UNC when it comes to turnovers, forcing a Big Sky-best 16 this season. Jalen Russell leads the team with three interceptions as he helps patrol the secondary. SUU is giving up just 237.3 passing yards per game. Linebacker Chinedu Ahanonu has been a force in the Big Sky, recording 54.5 tackles on the year, including nine for a loss. Ahanonu has also forced three fumbles for the season.
The Thunderbirds were picked seventh by both the Big Sky coaches and media coming into the season.
Last Time Against SUU
A stout Southern Utah defense shut down Northern Colorado's offense on its way to a 30-3 win over the Bears. Northern Colorado hurt itself by turning the ball over six times, including a pair of interceptions by Jonathan Newsom before he was replaced at quarterback by Jacob Knipp. Despite all of the turnovers, UNC out-gained the Thunderbirds 436-397, but those six turnovers were enough to decide the game.
History Against the Thunderbirds
The series between Northern Colorado and Southern Utah did not begin until 2003 when both teams were a part of the Great West Conference. The Bears won the first two meetings, but the Thunderbirds have won the last three since then. UNC and SUU last played each other in 2015 when the Bears went to Cedar City falling to the T-Birds.
On This Date
It's been 11 years since Northern Colorado played on October 28, going back to 2006 when the team fell to Sacramento State 14-9 on the road. Overall, on the date, the Bears are 5-4, going 2-1 when playing at home. The last time UNC played at home on the date came in 2000 in a win over St. Cloud State 49-35.
The Month of October
UNC is 160-171-2 all-time in the month of October. Under head coach Earnest Collins, the team is 7-19.
Glau's Big Leg
Junior punter/safety Kiefer Glau earned his first career Root Sports Big Sky Player of the Week honor for his strong game against Montana State, Glau, kept the field position game in the favor of the Bears throughout the day averaging 48.6 yards on his seven punts. The most impressive of them was his 70-yarder that pinned Montana State at its 6-yard line late in the game. Glau also recorded a pair of pass breakups while in at safety for the defense.
Phillip Dominates the Line
Defensive end Kadim Phillip had a career day against Montana State. He led the team with 15 tackles adding in his first sack of the year and a pair of tackles for loss. Phillip also came up with a big pass break up on third down in the third quarter. Phillip was one of four Bears to record double-digit tackles with teammates Peter Mitchell (14), Stone Kane (13) and Sherand Boyd Jr. (11).
Regan's First Start
Quarterback Conor Regan started his first collegiate game last Saturday and played well for the Bears. He passed for 218 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the game. The start was his first in three years to when he was a senior in high school.
Opportunistic Defense
After only recording 13 turnovers last season, Northern Colorado already matched its total from last year six games. Stone Kane leads the charge for UNC when it comes to turnovers with a pair of interceptions, and a fumble recovery this season. He also leads the team with 52 tackles and tied for second with five pass breakups. Five different Bears have intercepted a pass, and six different players have recovered a fumble. The even when they are not forcing turnovers, UNC has broken up 27 passes this year, led by Isaiah Swopes six.
For the fourth time this year, UNC forced multiple opponent turnovers. Isaiah Swopes and Sherand Boyd Jr. increased the team's interception total to seven on the year, and UNC won the turnover battle 2-0.
Party in the Backfield
Defensive end Keifer Morris has been a terror to opposing backfields through all season long. The senior recorded a sack in the first three games and has a total of 5.0 on the year. In addition to the sacks, he has 4.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of QB hurries. As a team, Northern Colorado has recorded 14 sacks and has 23 tackles for a loss.
Big Play Offense
Northern Colorado's offense has been moving the ball in chunks throughout the season, through the first six games of the year the team has 46 plays gaining 20 or more yards. Twenty-eight of those have come by pass and six by run. Those big pass plays have helped UNC average 14.62 yards per completion this season, ranking fourth in the Big Sky and 17th in the nation. A big reason for that includes a pair of 80-yard touchdown passes this season, the first to Theron Verna from Jacob Knipp at North Dakota and the second coming last weekend as Conor Regan hit Frank Stephens to get UNC up 7-0 early.
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 30 passes for 512 yards and three touchdowns. He has led the team in receiving yards three times this year and is averaging 85.3 yards per game thanks to his 17.1 yards per catch.
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 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 six 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.
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 1,871 yards for seventh all-time. The next milestone he has in his sights is to become the seventh rusher in Northern Colorado history to eclipse the 2,000 yards mark, he enters the weekend 129 yards away from that accomplishment.
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?
For the first time in a month, Northern Colorado will be back on the road next week. The Bears head to California to take on Sacramento State in a Big Sky match-up. Last season, UNC defeated the Hornets at home 27-19.
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 is being aired on CET, or through Pluto TV or WatchBigSky.com. 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
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.
Saturday's game is being sponsored by Banner Health's Northern Colorado Medical Center as a part of the Cancer Awareness game. UNC Athletics along with the American Cancer Society will be collecting donations to help all of those effected by cancer. At halftime, UNC Athletics invites all cancer survivors to join in a lap around the track in recognition of their great fight.
Setting the Stage
Northern Colorado and Southern Utah are meeting for the first time since 2015. The Bears are looking to snap a three-game losing streak, while SUU comes to Greeley with a three-game win streak.
UNC held a 21-7 lead over Montana State at the half last Saturday, before the Bobcats out-scored the Bears 20-3 in the second half, including a game-winning field goal as time expired to defeat Northern Colorado 27-24. The Bears took advantage of big plays to take the early lead including an 80-yard touchdown pass to Frank Stephens, and an interception returned inside the MSU 25-yard line by Isaiah Swopes. Northern Colorado's offense struggled in the second half, allowing Montana State to work its way back into the game and then drive 73-yards for the game-winning field goal.
Southern Utah picked up its second straight win over a top 25 team last week when they took down No. 8 Eastern Washington 46-28. The Thunderbirds trailed 14-0 early on, but settled in and out-scored the Eagles 46-14 from the second quarter on, including shutting EWU over the final 11:32. SUU used its balanced offensive attack to defeat Eastern Washington as quarterback Patrick Tyler threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns while running back James Felila picked up 145 yards on the ground and two scores.
UNC and SUU are on opposite ends of the Big Sky standings heading into the weekend. Northern Colorado is tied for ninth in the conference with UC Davis with a 1-3 conference record. Meanwhile, Southern Utah is a game behind undefeated Northern Arizona for first place, with a 3-1 record.
Scouting Southern Utah
Southern Utah enters Saturday's game on a three-game win streak, including the past two against Top 25 teams. The Thunderbirds are 5-2 overall, with a 3-1 Big Sky record. They cracked the FCS Stats Top 25 this week claiming the No. 25 spot. SUU has a fairly balanced offensive attack averaging 258.9 yards through the air, and 178.0 on the ground. Patrick Tyler leads the T-Birds attack with his 63.2 completion percentage and his 13 passing touchdowns. Tyler averages 250.5 passing yards per game and has shown his ability to scramble for 206 yards this season and a pair of touchdowns. SUU's running attack is split between the legs of James Felila and Jay Green. Felila leads the team with 547 yards and seven touchdowns, while Green is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and four touchdowns for the season.
Defensively, Southern Utah is like UNC when it comes to turnovers, forcing a Big Sky-best 16 this season. Jalen Russell leads the team with three interceptions as he helps patrol the secondary. SUU is giving up just 237.3 passing yards per game. Linebacker Chinedu Ahanonu has been a force in the Big Sky, recording 54.5 tackles on the year, including nine for a loss. Ahanonu has also forced three fumbles for the season.
The Thunderbirds were picked seventh by both the Big Sky coaches and media coming into the season.
Last Time Against SUU
A stout Southern Utah defense shut down Northern Colorado's offense on its way to a 30-3 win over the Bears. Northern Colorado hurt itself by turning the ball over six times, including a pair of interceptions by Jonathan Newsom before he was replaced at quarterback by Jacob Knipp. Despite all of the turnovers, UNC out-gained the Thunderbirds 436-397, but those six turnovers were enough to decide the game.
History Against the Thunderbirds
The series between Northern Colorado and Southern Utah did not begin until 2003 when both teams were a part of the Great West Conference. The Bears won the first two meetings, but the Thunderbirds have won the last three since then. UNC and SUU last played each other in 2015 when the Bears went to Cedar City falling to the T-Birds.
On This Date
It's been 11 years since Northern Colorado played on October 28, going back to 2006 when the team fell to Sacramento State 14-9 on the road. Overall, on the date, the Bears are 5-4, going 2-1 when playing at home. The last time UNC played at home on the date came in 2000 in a win over St. Cloud State 49-35.
The Month of October
UNC is 160-171-2 all-time in the month of October. Under head coach Earnest Collins, the team is 7-19.
Glau's Big Leg
Junior punter/safety Kiefer Glau earned his first career Root Sports Big Sky Player of the Week honor for his strong game against Montana State, Glau, kept the field position game in the favor of the Bears throughout the day averaging 48.6 yards on his seven punts. The most impressive of them was his 70-yarder that pinned Montana State at its 6-yard line late in the game. Glau also recorded a pair of pass breakups while in at safety for the defense.
Phillip Dominates the Line
Defensive end Kadim Phillip had a career day against Montana State. He led the team with 15 tackles adding in his first sack of the year and a pair of tackles for loss. Phillip also came up with a big pass break up on third down in the third quarter. Phillip was one of four Bears to record double-digit tackles with teammates Peter Mitchell (14), Stone Kane (13) and Sherand Boyd Jr. (11).
Regan's First Start
Quarterback Conor Regan started his first collegiate game last Saturday and played well for the Bears. He passed for 218 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the game. The start was his first in three years to when he was a senior in high school.
Opportunistic Defense
After only recording 13 turnovers last season, Northern Colorado already matched its total from last year six games. Stone Kane leads the charge for UNC when it comes to turnovers with a pair of interceptions, and a fumble recovery this season. He also leads the team with 52 tackles and tied for second with five pass breakups. Five different Bears have intercepted a pass, and six different players have recovered a fumble. The even when they are not forcing turnovers, UNC has broken up 27 passes this year, led by Isaiah Swopes six.
For the fourth time this year, UNC forced multiple opponent turnovers. Isaiah Swopes and Sherand Boyd Jr. increased the team's interception total to seven on the year, and UNC won the turnover battle 2-0.
Party in the Backfield
Defensive end Keifer Morris has been a terror to opposing backfields through all season long. The senior recorded a sack in the first three games and has a total of 5.0 on the year. In addition to the sacks, he has 4.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of QB hurries. As a team, Northern Colorado has recorded 14 sacks and has 23 tackles for a loss.
Big Play Offense
Northern Colorado's offense has been moving the ball in chunks throughout the season, through the first six games of the year the team has 46 plays gaining 20 or more yards. Twenty-eight of those have come by pass and six by run. Those big pass plays have helped UNC average 14.62 yards per completion this season, ranking fourth in the Big Sky and 17th in the nation. A big reason for that includes a pair of 80-yard touchdown passes this season, the first to Theron Verna from Jacob Knipp at North Dakota and the second coming last weekend as Conor Regan hit Frank Stephens to get UNC up 7-0 early.
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 30 passes for 512 yards and three touchdowns. He has led the team in receiving yards three times this year and is averaging 85.3 yards per game thanks to his 17.1 yards per catch.
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 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 six 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.
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 1,871 yards for seventh all-time. The next milestone he has in his sights is to become the seventh rusher in Northern Colorado history to eclipse the 2,000 yards mark, he enters the weekend 129 yards away from that accomplishment.
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?
For the first time in a month, Northern Colorado will be back on the road next week. The Bears head to California to take on Sacramento State in a Big Sky match-up. Last season, UNC defeated the Hornets at home 27-19.
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