University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, September 30
Flagstaff, Ariz.
5:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
at
Northern Arizona University
Preview: @UNCBearsFB Looks to Take Care of Business at Northern Arizona
9/27/2017 1:15:00 PM | Football
Northern Colorado football heads to Northern Arizona this weekend, look to improve to 2-0 in Big Sky play.
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado's football team has a chance at sending a message to the Big Sky Conference Saturday evening when they take on Northern Arizona. They can put the conference on notice that they are for real and shouldn't be overlooked. Winning conference games is tough, winning conference games on the road is even harder, thus a win Saturday will go a long way for UNC.
Kickoff between the Bears and Lumberjacks is set for 5 pm MDT, 4 pm MST inside the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, Ariz. Fans not in attendance can tune in on Pluto TV or WatchBigSky.com or listen to the Voice of the Bears Troy Coverdale and analyst Aaron Rath on 1310 KFKA.
Setting the Stage
- Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona enter this weekends game both looking to improve to 2-0 in Big Sky Play. Both teams are coming off wins in their conference opener last weekend
- The Bears snuck past Idaho State last Saturday, on a Collin Root 36-yard field goal as time expired for a 43-42 win. The field goal was Root's third of the game in the offensive affair. With the win, Northern Colorado starts Big Sky play at 1-0 for the second straight year. Northern Colorado's offense had a big day piling up 609 total yards. Jacob Knipp threw for 413 yards and four touchdowns, while UNC also had a 100-yard rusher in Trae Riek with 137 yards and 100-yard receiver in Theron Verna with 165 yards and touchdown.
- Northern Arizona earned its first win of the year last week when they won at Cal Poly 28-10. NAU's QB Case Cookus put up some big numbers in the win with 406 passing yards and four touchdowns, along with running for 19 yards. Cookus had a favorite target in the game in Elijah Marks who caught 14 passes for 206 yards and two of those four touchdowns. On defense, the Lumberjacks held a run-heavy Cal Poly team to just 178 yards on the ground.
- Saturday's game features a player on each team that will be coming off of winning a Root Sports Big Sky Player of the Week honor. Northern Colorado's Collin Root was named the Special Teams Player of the Week, while NAU's Wes Sutton earned the defensive honors.
Scouting Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona has been under the steady hand of Jerome Souers over the past two decades, but the 2017 season is his last go around in Flagstaff. Souers once again has a strong offense led by quarterback Case Cookus. He enters Saturday's game averaging 311.0 passing yards per game, passing for six touchdowns so far. With top receiver Emmanuel Butler out for the year with a shoulder injury, Cookus looked for a new top target and found it last week in Elijah Marks. For the year, Marks has 24 receptions for 362 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Defensively, Northern Arizona has struggled against the run, giving up 297.0 yards per game and 10 scores on the ground. Overall, teams are averaging 447.7 yards per game against the Lumberjacks and scoring 36.7 points. Linebacker Byron Evans leads the team with 22 tackles this season. Saftey Wes Sutton is coming off earning the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, he is second on the team with 20 tackles including a pair for a loss, and an interception the season. Coming into the year, Northern Arizona was picked to finish third by both the Big Sky media and coaches.
Last time against NAU
Northern Colorado hosted Northern Arizona last season and sent the Lumberjacks home with a 21-18 loss. The Bears defense came up with timely turnovers in the game forcing five NAU fumbles, recovering three of them. Those three turnovers were key for UNC as they were outgained 493-263 yards. Trae Riek led the UNC offense with 150 all-purpose yards and a receiving touchdown.
History Against the Lumberjacks
While Northern Colorado won the first meeting between the two schools via a forfeit in 1964, it's been mostly Lumberjacks after that. NAU holds a 13-4 record all-time against the Bears, including being 7-1 when playing in Flagstaff. UNC has reversed its fortunes against Northern Arizona recently holding the 3-2 edge over the past five games. All three of those wins by the Bears have come in Greeley.
On This Date
Northern Colorado is 4-3 all-time when playing on Sept. 30. UNC has not played on the date since 2000 when it defeated Minnesota State 37-15 on homecoming. The Bears have played away from Greeley four times on the date, going an even 2-2 in those games.
The Month of September
UNC is 106-111-5 when playing in the month of September. Under head coach Earnest Collins, the Bears are 6-17.
Getting Offensive
Last Saturday's game against Idaho State was an offensive coordinator's dream and defensive coordinator's nightmare. Northern Colorado and Idaho State combined for 1,228 offensive yards and 85 points. Both teams had a player with 100 yards rushing, and another with 100 yards receiving. For UNC it was Trae Riek on the ground for 137 yards and Theron Verna through the air with 165 receiving yards and a touchdown. Idaho State's James Madison rushed for 253 yards and Mitch Gueller had five receptions for 149 yards. Chunk plays were a big reason for the strong offensive day, as 22 plays combined between the teams went for 20 or more yards.
Weekley Honors
Northern Colorado football earned a few weekly honors with last week's performance against Idaho State. 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 4113 yards and four touchdowns. Finally, College Sports Madness earned their Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, as he recorded an interception, had 11 total tackles and broke up a pass.
Knipps Career Day
Quarterback Jacob Knipp had a career-day against Idaho State last Saturday. He completed 20 of his 26 pass attempts for 413 yards and four touchdowns. It was the first time in his career he eclipsed both the 300 and 400 yards passing mark. The touchdown total matched a career-best from Oct. 24, 2015, against Eastern Washington.
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 three 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 11 of his 15 have gone for a touchback.
Ball Hawks?
After only recording 13 turnovers last season, Northern Colorado has already forced seven through two games in 2017. Stone Kane has helped lead the charge for UNC when it comes to turnovers with an interception in the previous two games. Not only has Kane been picking off opposing quarterbacks, but recording big returns as well, having 108 return yards on the pair of interceptions.
Party in the Backfield
Defensive end Keifer Morris has been a terror to opposing backfields through three games this season. The senior has recorded a sack in the first three games for a total of 4.5 on the year. In addition to the sacks, he has three tackles for a loss. As a team, Northern Colorado has recorded 10 sacks and has 12 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 two weeks ago and moved up another spot last week. Riek took over the ninth spot on the with his 137 yards on the ground. For his career, Riek has rushed for 1,756 yards. He will most likely pass Tromaine Dennis and his 1,785 yards for eighth place.
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. Last weekend, 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?
The Bears will stay on the road next week when they face North Dakota. UNC is looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Fighting Hawks. Kickoff between UNC and UND is set for 1:30 pm MDT.
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.
Kickoff between the Bears and Lumberjacks is set for 5 pm MDT, 4 pm MST inside the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, Ariz. Fans not in attendance can tune in on Pluto TV or WatchBigSky.com or listen to the Voice of the Bears Troy Coverdale and analyst Aaron Rath on 1310 KFKA.
Setting the Stage
- Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona enter this weekends game both looking to improve to 2-0 in Big Sky Play. Both teams are coming off wins in their conference opener last weekend
- The Bears snuck past Idaho State last Saturday, on a Collin Root 36-yard field goal as time expired for a 43-42 win. The field goal was Root's third of the game in the offensive affair. With the win, Northern Colorado starts Big Sky play at 1-0 for the second straight year. Northern Colorado's offense had a big day piling up 609 total yards. Jacob Knipp threw for 413 yards and four touchdowns, while UNC also had a 100-yard rusher in Trae Riek with 137 yards and 100-yard receiver in Theron Verna with 165 yards and touchdown.
- Northern Arizona earned its first win of the year last week when they won at Cal Poly 28-10. NAU's QB Case Cookus put up some big numbers in the win with 406 passing yards and four touchdowns, along with running for 19 yards. Cookus had a favorite target in the game in Elijah Marks who caught 14 passes for 206 yards and two of those four touchdowns. On defense, the Lumberjacks held a run-heavy Cal Poly team to just 178 yards on the ground.
- Saturday's game features a player on each team that will be coming off of winning a Root Sports Big Sky Player of the Week honor. Northern Colorado's Collin Root was named the Special Teams Player of the Week, while NAU's Wes Sutton earned the defensive honors.
Scouting Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona has been under the steady hand of Jerome Souers over the past two decades, but the 2017 season is his last go around in Flagstaff. Souers once again has a strong offense led by quarterback Case Cookus. He enters Saturday's game averaging 311.0 passing yards per game, passing for six touchdowns so far. With top receiver Emmanuel Butler out for the year with a shoulder injury, Cookus looked for a new top target and found it last week in Elijah Marks. For the year, Marks has 24 receptions for 362 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Defensively, Northern Arizona has struggled against the run, giving up 297.0 yards per game and 10 scores on the ground. Overall, teams are averaging 447.7 yards per game against the Lumberjacks and scoring 36.7 points. Linebacker Byron Evans leads the team with 22 tackles this season. Saftey Wes Sutton is coming off earning the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, he is second on the team with 20 tackles including a pair for a loss, and an interception the season. Coming into the year, Northern Arizona was picked to finish third by both the Big Sky media and coaches.
Last time against NAU
Northern Colorado hosted Northern Arizona last season and sent the Lumberjacks home with a 21-18 loss. The Bears defense came up with timely turnovers in the game forcing five NAU fumbles, recovering three of them. Those three turnovers were key for UNC as they were outgained 493-263 yards. Trae Riek led the UNC offense with 150 all-purpose yards and a receiving touchdown.
History Against the Lumberjacks
While Northern Colorado won the first meeting between the two schools via a forfeit in 1964, it's been mostly Lumberjacks after that. NAU holds a 13-4 record all-time against the Bears, including being 7-1 when playing in Flagstaff. UNC has reversed its fortunes against Northern Arizona recently holding the 3-2 edge over the past five games. All three of those wins by the Bears have come in Greeley.
On This Date
Northern Colorado is 4-3 all-time when playing on Sept. 30. UNC has not played on the date since 2000 when it defeated Minnesota State 37-15 on homecoming. The Bears have played away from Greeley four times on the date, going an even 2-2 in those games.
The Month of September
UNC is 106-111-5 when playing in the month of September. Under head coach Earnest Collins, the Bears are 6-17.
Getting Offensive
Last Saturday's game against Idaho State was an offensive coordinator's dream and defensive coordinator's nightmare. Northern Colorado and Idaho State combined for 1,228 offensive yards and 85 points. Both teams had a player with 100 yards rushing, and another with 100 yards receiving. For UNC it was Trae Riek on the ground for 137 yards and Theron Verna through the air with 165 receiving yards and a touchdown. Idaho State's James Madison rushed for 253 yards and Mitch Gueller had five receptions for 149 yards. Chunk plays were a big reason for the strong offensive day, as 22 plays combined between the teams went for 20 or more yards.
Weekley Honors
Northern Colorado football earned a few weekly honors with last week's performance against Idaho State. 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 4113 yards and four touchdowns. Finally, College Sports Madness earned their Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, as he recorded an interception, had 11 total tackles and broke up a pass.
Knipps Career Day
Quarterback Jacob Knipp had a career-day against Idaho State last Saturday. He completed 20 of his 26 pass attempts for 413 yards and four touchdowns. It was the first time in his career he eclipsed both the 300 and 400 yards passing mark. The touchdown total matched a career-best from Oct. 24, 2015, against Eastern Washington.
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 three 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 11 of his 15 have gone for a touchback.
Ball Hawks?
After only recording 13 turnovers last season, Northern Colorado has already forced seven through two games in 2017. Stone Kane has helped lead the charge for UNC when it comes to turnovers with an interception in the previous two games. Not only has Kane been picking off opposing quarterbacks, but recording big returns as well, having 108 return yards on the pair of interceptions.
Party in the Backfield
Defensive end Keifer Morris has been a terror to opposing backfields through three games this season. The senior has recorded a sack in the first three games for a total of 4.5 on the year. In addition to the sacks, he has three tackles for a loss. As a team, Northern Colorado has recorded 10 sacks and has 12 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 two weeks ago and moved up another spot last week. Riek took over the ninth spot on the with his 137 yards on the ground. For his career, Riek has rushed for 1,756 yards. He will most likely pass Tromaine Dennis and his 1,785 yards for eighth place.
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. Last weekend, 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?
The Bears will stay on the road next week when they face North Dakota. UNC is looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Fighting Hawks. Kickoff between UNC and UND is set for 1:30 pm MDT.
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.
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