Game notes: @UNCBearsFB kicks off 105th season Saturday

Calendar

Aug 28

7 p.m. MDT

Football

vs Weber State

Sep 5

TBA

Football

vs South Dakota

Sep 12

TBA

Football

at Wyoming

Sep 19

TBA

Football

vs Northeastern State

Sep 26

TBA

Football

vs Utah Tech

Oct 3

TBA

Football

at Montana

Oct 10

TBA

Football

at Eastern Washington

Oct 17

TBA

Football

vs Cal Poly

Oct 24

TBA

Football

at UC Davis

Full game notes (PDF)

The Northern Colorado football program kicks off its 105th season, a rich history that includes two national championships and nine postseason appearances (the program began in 1893 but did not field a team for periods during the late 1890s and early 1900s, as well as three years during World War II). Since moving to Division I in 2006, the Bears begin their 12th season at that level, and UNC marks its 23rd season at Nottingham Stadium.
The Bears face College of Idaho for the first time.
Under head coach Earnest Collins, the Bears have won five consecutive home-openers. Overall in season-opening contests under Collins, UNC is 3-3, including a pair of road losses to FBS opponents: at Utah in 2012 and at UNLV in 2014. In that heart-breaking 2014 loss in Las Vegas, UNC's Courtney Hall picked off a pass in the end zone with less than 10 seconds to play and advanced to the 15-yard line before he was tripped up, ending a 13-12 loss.
Bears QB Jacob Knipp returns to the field for the first time in 51 weeks, since sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury at Abilene Christian Sept. 10. Ironically, that injury opened the door for Kyle Sloter to throw for 2,665 yards and 29 touchdowns in 11 games and parlay his performance into an undrafted free-agent contract with the Denver Broncos. After Paxton Lynch's injury, Sloter is scheduled to start the Broncos' preseason finale Thursday vs. Arizona, and may enter the season as the team's No. 2 quarterback behind Trevor Siemien.
UNC is attempting to "Fill the Hill," offering $3 youth admission and $5 adult tickets for the grass at Nottingham Stadium. The Hill Presented by First National Bank, offers another family-friendly option, including a bounce house within the hill area. For more information, visit tickets.unco.edu

TV: CET
   Chad Andrus (play-by-play); Paul Browning (color)
Radio: KFKA 1310 AM
   Troy Coverdale (play-by-play); Aaron Rath (color)
Live Stats: UNCBears.com
Series: 0-0
Last Meeting: First-ever meeting

Coaches:
   EARNEST COLLINS JR.
   Northern Colorado Record: 21-45 (7th year)
   Overall Record: 29-57 (9th year)
   vs. College of Idaho: 0-0

   Mike Moroski
   C of I Record: 12-22 (4th season)
   Overall Record: Same
   vs. Northern Colorado: 0-0