@UNCBearsFB Battle Tough, Falls to McNeese State

Saturday, September 1

Greeley, Colo.

2 pm

University of Northern Colorado

0-1

McNeese State

1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

McNeese State

Northern Colorado

Photo by: Hunter Wilson

9/1/2018 8:14:00 PM | Football

Box Score

UNC football falls in its season opener to McNeese State

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Through the first two and a half quarters, nothing seemed to go right for Northern Colorado football in their first game of the year, but the team showed their mental toughness and never gave in against McNeese State. The Bears fought until the end, falling to in a close 17-14 game.

(9/1/2018) Football vs McNeese State

The first half was all McNeese State as they jumped out to a 17-0 lead, scoring touchdowns on their first drive of the game and just before the half on a 49-yard pick six.

Northern Colorado used the combination of an opportunistic defense and offensive rhythm to get back into the game. Momentum started to turn UNC's way when Keifer Glau broke through the left side of the line on a 36-yard field goal attempt.

Over the next three Cowboy possessions, Northern Colorado forced a fumble and a three and four and out keeping the game at 17-0. Glau, who blocked the kick, also forced the fumble that was recovered by Sherand Boyd Jr.

As the Bears' defense slowed the McNeese offense, UNC's offense gained confidence slowly picking up yardage and putting a drive together through the end of the third quarter and opening seconds of the fourth. While the drive did not lead to points as it ended in a missed 39 field goal attempt it gave the team the confidence it needed for a late comeback.

Northern Colorado finally punched it into the end zone with 5:58 left in the game as Jacob Knipp found Patrick Stephens down the left sideline who made one man miss to score from 27-yards out.

UNC tried an onside kick following the touchdown but was a little anxious touching the ball before traveling 10 yards giving McNeese possession. Two plays later, Boyd Jr. and Michael Walker made the play of the game. Boyd stepped in front of a pass from James Tabary for the interception. As he was about to be tackled he lateraled the ball to Walker who took it to the house from 53-yards out to cut it to a three-point game.

👀 #SCTop10!!!! @IBleed_Maroon7 INT to Michale Walker for 6!!!! We aren't done yet!!! pic.twitter.com/TiZcIzRsO8
— Northern Colorado FB (@UNCBearsFB) September 1, 2018

Northern Colorado ended up with two more possessions in the game but was unable to get within field goal range to try for the game-tying field goal.

What They Said

Stat to Know
McNeese State did a good job of getting off the field when they forced UNC into third downs on Saturday as the Bears were 3-of-15 on third down.

Game Notes
- Alex Wesley picked up right where he left off from 2017, leading the team with 100 receiving yards on three receptions. Wesley's longest catch of the day was for 62 yards. With the three catches, he surpassed the 100 career receptions mark and moves into the top 10 in UNC history for receiving yards with 1,766 for ninth all-time.
- The Bears safeties in Sherand Boyd Jr and Keifer Glau made impact play after impact play for the defense, combining for a forced fumble, fumble recovery, interception and blocked kick. Boyd also led the team with 10 tackles while Glau finished second with nine.
- In his first game back since being knocked out for the season last October, Jacob Knipp finished the day with 261 passing yards and a touchdown pass.
- Glau's field goal block was the first by a UNC player since Thomas Singleton in 2013 against North Dakota.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado hits the road next week to play former NCC rival, South Dakota. The Bears and Coyotes kickoff at 1 pm mountain time in the Dakota Dome.

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