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/ FootballOffense Flashes, Defense Wins @UNCBearsFB Spring Game
4/21/2018 5:27:00 PM | Football
Northern Colorado's offense showed flashes, but the defense won the Blue and Gold Spring Game 48-39
GREELEY, Colo. – The offense showed flashes of with big plays, but it was the defense that prevailed in the annual Blue and Gold Spring Game Saturday afternoon 48-39. The game, originally scheduled to be played at Nottingham Field moved to the Butler-Hancock Practice Fields thanks to the weather, but that did not take away from the play on the field.
With the modified scoring system for the game, the first team defense came out and held the top unit of the offense to a three and out. Michael Walker showed off his playmaking ability by breaking up the third-down pass from Jacob Knipp.
Northern Colorado's second unit continued to harass the offense in its first drive led by the efforts of redshirt freshman, Brooks Talkington. The Lone Star State native had a pass break up and ended the drive with one of his two sacks.
The team played a 10-minute quarters running clock format for the game, with the defense leading 6-2 at the end of the first. Conor Regan helped move the ball down the field for UNC in his first drive of the game, but once again Talkington ended it with a sack. A muffed punt at the end of the series gave both the offense and defense a chance to practice their red zone play.
Despite struggling early on, the Bears offense finally broke through when Dontay Warren found a wide-open Jackson Hall for a 20-yard strike and touchdown. Following a disappointing first drive, the Bears' top offensive unit executed at the end of half situation. UNC navigated the field making it to the opposite 34 to set up a Collin Root field goal attempt. The sophomore, who hit a 56-yard field goal last season, connected on a 50-yard attempt to end the half with the offense up 16-9.
Northern Colorado's offense opened up the second half with some razzle-dazzle on a reverse pass from Warren to Keaton Mott who showed off his athleticism making the one-handed catch for a gain of 16-yards. Despite the electric play to start the half, UNC's defense recovered a fumble to end it.
The team's third fumble of the game turned into another touchdown for the offense. On the first play, after a muffed snap set the offense up on the eight, Julllen Ison trotted in for the score off the left side.
Northern Colorado's offense had a shot to earn the win in the final drive of the game but was unable to punch the ball into the end zone. The Bears drove the ball down to the defense's 2-yard line including an ankle-breaking run by Warren and he also connected with newcomer Sam Flowers to put the team inside the five. The defense held strong, denying the offense four times to end the game on a high note and with the win.
Standout Individual Performances
- Quarterback Jacob Knipp finished his spring with a solid performance completing five of his 11 pass attempts for 66 yards. He did so while missing three of his top options when the 2018 season comes around in Alex Wesley, Noah Sol and Theron Verna. Wesley is currently in California competing with the UNC track and field team, while Sol and Verna were held out of spring practice to get them 100 percent for the upcoming season.
- Defensive end Khristian Lee looks to build upon his freshman year as he led the team with 3.5 tackles.
- The Bears defense racked up five sacks on Saturday and held the offense to 46 rushing yards.
Coach Collins Take
Thoughts on whole spring
"Any time you can go through a whole spring without any new major injuries that is always a blessing. We still had a mash unit out and working their way back, but not adding to it is important. Having Knipp back out here healthy was important and it is the first spring we have come out with Trae fully healthy which is good. Then the guys we sat out who are still recovering we look forward to getting back come summer conditioning and ready to go for fall camp."
How did the team progress through the spring?
"It was both the team and coaches progressing this spring. We made some changes over the offseason and you could see it all coming together. This is one of those deals where you want to get in good work, but also keep everyone healthy so you play it kind of vanilla and come out and play ball. I was pleased with today."
What was the message to the team heading into the summer?
"It's about commitment, Dave Meyers one of our awesome alumni that has been through with us in the thick and thin challenged us today at the captains meeting to challenge each other to just commit on what is going to get us to the top. Right now it is just about the commitment to getting through these next 45 days before we get to summer workouts and roll into fall camp. It is about what you are willing to do to get yourself to the top of the Big Sky."
Season Ticket Opportunities
Do not miss out on the Bears' six-game home schedule that includes 2017 FCS Playoff participant Northern Arizona and two teams that finished ranked in the top 25 in McNeese State (18th) and Eastern Washington (22nd). Season tickets start as low as $65 for adults. For further information on season tickets contact the UNC Box Office at 970-351-4849 and check UNCBears.com for updates.
To stay up to date on all things UNC football, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsFB.
With the modified scoring system for the game, the first team defense came out and held the top unit of the offense to a three and out. Michael Walker showed off his playmaking ability by breaking up the third-down pass from Jacob Knipp.
Northern Colorado's second unit continued to harass the offense in its first drive led by the efforts of redshirt freshman, Brooks Talkington. The Lone Star State native had a pass break up and ended the drive with one of his two sacks.
The team played a 10-minute quarters running clock format for the game, with the defense leading 6-2 at the end of the first. Conor Regan helped move the ball down the field for UNC in his first drive of the game, but once again Talkington ended it with a sack. A muffed punt at the end of the series gave both the offense and defense a chance to practice their red zone play.
Despite struggling early on, the Bears offense finally broke through when Dontay Warren found a wide-open Jackson Hall for a 20-yard strike and touchdown. Following a disappointing first drive, the Bears' top offensive unit executed at the end of half situation. UNC navigated the field making it to the opposite 34 to set up a Collin Root field goal attempt. The sophomore, who hit a 56-yard field goal last season, connected on a 50-yard attempt to end the half with the offense up 16-9.
Northern Colorado's offense opened up the second half with some razzle-dazzle on a reverse pass from Warren to Keaton Mott who showed off his athleticism making the one-handed catch for a gain of 16-yards. Despite the electric play to start the half, UNC's defense recovered a fumble to end it.
The team's third fumble of the game turned into another touchdown for the offense. On the first play, after a muffed snap set the offense up on the eight, Julllen Ison trotted in for the score off the left side.
Northern Colorado's offense had a shot to earn the win in the final drive of the game but was unable to punch the ball into the end zone. The Bears drove the ball down to the defense's 2-yard line including an ankle-breaking run by Warren and he also connected with newcomer Sam Flowers to put the team inside the five. The defense held strong, denying the offense four times to end the game on a high note and with the win.
Standout Individual Performances
- Quarterback Jacob Knipp finished his spring with a solid performance completing five of his 11 pass attempts for 66 yards. He did so while missing three of his top options when the 2018 season comes around in Alex Wesley, Noah Sol and Theron Verna. Wesley is currently in California competing with the UNC track and field team, while Sol and Verna were held out of spring practice to get them 100 percent for the upcoming season.
- Defensive end Khristian Lee looks to build upon his freshman year as he led the team with 3.5 tackles.
- The Bears defense racked up five sacks on Saturday and held the offense to 46 rushing yards.
Coach Collins Take
Thoughts on whole spring
"Any time you can go through a whole spring without any new major injuries that is always a blessing. We still had a mash unit out and working their way back, but not adding to it is important. Having Knipp back out here healthy was important and it is the first spring we have come out with Trae fully healthy which is good. Then the guys we sat out who are still recovering we look forward to getting back come summer conditioning and ready to go for fall camp."
How did the team progress through the spring?
"It was both the team and coaches progressing this spring. We made some changes over the offseason and you could see it all coming together. This is one of those deals where you want to get in good work, but also keep everyone healthy so you play it kind of vanilla and come out and play ball. I was pleased with today."
What was the message to the team heading into the summer?
"It's about commitment, Dave Meyers one of our awesome alumni that has been through with us in the thick and thin challenged us today at the captains meeting to challenge each other to just commit on what is going to get us to the top. Right now it is just about the commitment to getting through these next 45 days before we get to summer workouts and roll into fall camp. It is about what you are willing to do to get yourself to the top of the Big Sky."
Season Ticket Opportunities
Do not miss out on the Bears' six-game home schedule that includes 2017 FCS Playoff participant Northern Arizona and two teams that finished ranked in the top 25 in McNeese State (18th) and Eastern Washington (22nd). Season tickets start as low as $65 for adults. For further information on season tickets contact the UNC Box Office at 970-351-4849 and check UNCBears.com for updates.
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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