Game Notes: Coming Off Win, @UNCBearsFB Look to Build Momentum At Southern Utah

Northern Colorado football hits the road for the next to last time this Saturday, heading to Cedar City, Utah to face Southern Utah. The Bears look to win back-to-back games for the first time since October 2016. Kickoff between UNC and SUU is set for 6 pm MT.

Setting the Stage
- Northern Colorado picked up their first win of the 2018 season 42-14 over Northern Arizona on Saturday at home. The Bears scored 30 unanswered points in the game to defeat the Lumberjacks. UNC scored on a few unconventional ways in the win including a safety, fumble recovery, pick-six and blocked punt.

- Southern Utah was on the road last week facing Idaho in Moscow. The Thunderbirds fell to the Vandals 31-12. SUU scored a couple of late touchdowns to avoid the shutout, after entering the fourth quarter down 31-0. While Southern Utah's offense did not score until late in the game, they out-gained UI 468-361.

- Junior linebacker Luke Nelson earned the Root Sports Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week and College Sports Madness Big Sky Player of the Week honor for his play against NAU. Nelson led the team with nine tackles, eight solo, a forced fumble and interception.

- Northern Colorado forced four turnovers on Saturday, leading to 20 points off turnovers in the 42-14 win.

- UNC and Southern Utah faced each other last season with SUU coming to Greeley and winning 27-14 on their way to a tie for the Big Sky Conference title.

- Saturday's game could be considered the Jeff Butler Bowl, UNC's strength and conditioning coach spent two years at SUU before coming to Greeley in 2016.

Scouting Southern Utah
Southern Utah is a team that looks to control the clock with its run game behind the legs of Jay Green who has 628 yards on the season and is averaging 89.7 yards per game. Overall, SUU has a balanced attack, averaging 223.4 yards on the ground and 239.7 yards passing a game. The Thunderbirds have been splitting time at quarterback between Chris Helbig and Aaron Zwahlen. Helbig leads the team with 1,011 yards and five touchdowns.

SUU is regularly known for their defense, but it has struggled this season to slow down opponents. Opponents have put up 41.1 points a game on Southern Utah and are averaging 551.0 yards per game against them. One thing that has hurt the T-Birds this season is the lack of turnovers forced with just one interception and six fumble recoveries this year.

The Thunderbirds lone win in Big Sky play came against Sacramento State two weeks ago at home. Saturday's game is the third home game of the year for Southern Utah and the first of a three-game homestand for the team.

History Against the Thunderbirds
Northern Colorado and Southern Utah did not face each other until 2003 when both teams joined the Great West Conference. The Bears won the first two meetings, but it has been all Thunderbirds since coming into Saturday with a four-game win streak in the series.

Last 5 Meetings
October 28, 2017, Southern Utah, 27-14 in Greeley
September 19, 2015, Southern Utah, 30-3 in Cedar City
September 28, 2013, Southern Utah, 27-21 in Greeley
October 22, 2005, Southern Utah, 20-17 in Cedar City
November 6, 2004, Northern Colorado, 42-7 in Greeley

Workhorse Back
Milo Hall has become a workhorse back for Northern Colorado carrying the ball over 15 times a game over the past three games, including 23 times last Saturday against Northern Arizona. He also has eight catches in that time frame. Against NAU, Hall went over the 100 yard mark rushing, the first time a Bear has done that this year. He finished the game with 119 yards. For the season, he leads the team with 462 yards and four rushing touchdowns adding in 103 receiving yards and another touchdown receiving.

Leading By Example
Defensive captains Sherand Boyd, Jr. and Luke Nelson are leading by example for the UNC football team this season. Nelson, leads the team with 64 tackles, while Boyd Jr., leads the team with three interceptions including two of them turning into pick-sixs. Both players made big impacts in the team's first win of the season as Nelson led the team with nine tackles, along with forcing a fumble and grabbing an interception. Boyd, Jr. recorded a pick-six for the team to put the nail in the coffin to secure the Bears' win.

Challenging Slate
While the 2018 schedule does not feature an FBS opponent the Bears has a challenging slate. Out of the team's 11 games, 10 of its opponents started the season either ranked or receiving votes in the FCS Stats Poll. Through eight weeks, six of the 11 teams are still ranked or receiving votes, including the 4-5-6 teams in the FCS Stats Poll in Weber State, Eastern Washington and UC Davis, respectively.

Bear in the NFL
Former UNC Bear Kyle Sloter continues to strive for the Minnesota Vikings earning a roster spot with them for the second straight season. In the preseason he passed for 366 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions. Teammate Frank Stephens joined Sloter on an NFL roster before week two of the NFL season, signing onto the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.

Around the Big Sky
The Big Sky Conference has a big three in UC Davis, Eastern Washington and Weber State who are ranked 4th-6th in the FCS Stats Poll this week. Davis is the top dog in that group at 4-0 in the Big Sky, while being ranked sixth. Meanwhile, EWU, WSU and Idaho State are one game behind UC Davis with a 3-1 record in the Big Sky. All four of those teams are in action on Saturday, including big road tests for UC Davis at Montana and Weber State at North Dakota.

Coaches Show
The Earnest Collins Jr. Coaches Show is back again this season but at a new location. The 2018 coaches show will be at the Dugout B-B-Q off of 11th Ave each Tuesday during the year from 6-7 pm. The Voice of the Bears Troy Coverdale will sit down and talk with head coach Earnest Collins Jr and guests to recap the previous week and look ahead to the next. The coaches show will also be broadcast on the home for the Bears 1310 KFKA.

Home Away from Home
Stuft, Burger Bar is UNC football's home away from home. Unable to make the trip with the Bears, join other UNC fans and cheer on the team on the official watch party of all road games.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado is home for one final time next week when No. 5/4 Eastern Washington comes to town. The Bears will honor their seniors before kickoff on November 3 that is set for 12 pm MT. Tickets for that game can be purchased by clicking here.

To stay up to date on all things UNC football, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsFB.

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