@UNCBearsFB Unable to Overcome Slow Start at Northern Arizona

Saturday, September 30

Flagstaff, Ariz.

5:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

2-2 , 1-1

Northern Arizona University

2-2 , 2-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Northern Colorado

Northern Arizona

9/30/2017 8:44:00 PM | Football

Box Score

NAU scored the first 20 points against UNC in a 48-20 loss for the Bears.

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A slow start against the high-powered Northern Arizona offense was too much to overcome for Northern Colorado Saturday evening, as the Bears fell to the Lumberjacks 48-20. The loss moved UNC's record to 2-2 overall, and 1-1 in the Big Sky, while NAU is now 2-2 and 2-0 in the Big Sky.

It was a first half marked by poor field position to start the game and then turnovers that allowed Northern Arizona to jump out to a 20-0 lead.

Northern Arizona's offense came out and drove inside the Bears 5-yard line but was unable to punch it in for a touchdown, having to try a 21-yard field goal. Just like last weekend, Marshaun Cameron came around the right side and blocked the kick.

The teams proceeded to trade three-and-outs, which pinned UNC at its 1-yard line. The poor field position set up the Lumberjacks first scoring drive of the game as they had a short field to drive, finished off by a Case Cookus 9-yard touchdown pass.

UNC's offense responded with a solid drive deep into Northern Arizona territory, but Collin Root missed a 24-yard field goal at the end of the drive to keep it 7-0 NAU.
As the second quarter progressed, Northern Arizona took advantage of a pair of UNC turnovers, scoring touchdowns off of both. The first turnover by the Bears was an interception from Jacob Knipp. NAU went on a 9 play, 67 yards drive capped off by a Cookus to Elijah Woods 21-yard touchdown.

The Lumberjacks then had a short field after recovering and returning a Hakeem Deggs fumble to the UNC 14-yard line. Cookus found his third different receiver for a touchdown, this one from 11-yards out.

Northern Colorado ended the first half on a strong note. The Bears drove the ball 75-yards in a two-minute drill, to make it a two-possession game going into the half. Frank Stephens was on the receiving end of a 15-yard Jacob Knipp pass to put UNC on the board.

UNC came out and started the second half like it ended it with a strong scoring drive. Trae Riek was the focal point of the drive, accounting for 43 of the 75 yards covered on the 12 play scoring drive. Riek recorded his fourth touchdown of the season on a seven-yard run, making it a one-possession game. That didn't last long, as Woods of NAU took the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.

Both the Bears and Lumberjacks offenses continued to move the ball up and down the field the rest of the game, but UNC settled for field goals, while NAU converted its drives for touchdowns. Northern Arizona capped off the game with an 85-yard interception return in the fourth quarter.

What did they say?
Head Coach Earnest Collins
"We just made too many mistakes tonight that added up. Instead of letting everyone do their 1/11th of a job, it felt like we were trying to do it all ourselves individually. We have another good team on the road next week in North Dakota. This week in practice we will learn from our mistakes and be ready for North Dakota."

Game notes
- The blocked field goal by Marshaun Cameron was the first since Thomas Singleton on Nov. 9, 2013, at North Dakota.
- Northern Arizona's kickoff returned for a touchdown was the first by a UNC opponent since 2013 by Montana State.
- For the third time, this season Alex Wesley led Northern Colorado in receiving with eight catches on 16 targets for 125 yards.
- Northern Colorado lost the turnover battle for the first time this year with a -2 mark.
- The Bears were out-gained by NAU 437-349.
- Northern Arizona's duo of Case Cookus and Elijah Marks hurt UNC all game long. Cookus finished the game 23-for-38 passing for 271 yards and three touchdowns through the air, adding another 22 yards and touchdown on the ground. Marks recorded 239 all-purpose yards and two total touchdowns.

What's ahead?
Northern Colorado stays on the road next week when they head to North Dakota for another Big Sky game. Kickoff for the game is set for 1:30 pm MDT.
To stay up to date with all things UNC football, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsFB.