Game Notes: @UNCBearsFB Opens Big Sky Play at #7/8 Weber State

Saturday, September 22

Ogden, Utah

6 pm

University of Northern Colorado

Weber State

Photo by: Brian Smith / University of Northern Colorado

9/18/2018 4:31:00 PM | Football

Northern Colorado football starts the Big Sky season at No. 7/8 Weber State

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – It's not only the first day of fall on Saturday, but also a new season for Northern Colorado football. The Bears begin the grueling Big Sky schedule in Ogden, Utah to take on No.7/8 Weber State Saturday night. Both UNC and WSU look to start Big Sky play 1-0.

Setting the Stage
- Northern Colorado held a 17-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter against Sacramento State looking to wrap up their first win of the season. A pair of turnovers in the final quarter helped the Hornets outscore the Bears 14-8 and leave Greeley with the 28-25 win. In the game, UNC saw backup QB Keaton Mott step in for an injured Jacob Knipp, firing off 310 passing yards.

- Weber State improved to 2-1 on the year in their home opener against No. 22 South Dakota last Saturday. The Wildcats slowed down the high-powered offense of USD holding them to 238 total yards including just 28 rushing. Kicker Trey Tuttle was plenty busy for WSU as he went 4-5 and the lone touchdown by the team came on a defensive touchdown.

- UNC had a pair of back ups step up big time on Saturday. Quarterback Keaton Mott came in following the first series of the game and led UNC to a scoring drove his first time on the field. Mott, ended up going 26-43 for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Jerone Jackson stepped in at starting safety and led the team with 11 tackles, and forced a pair of fumbles.

- Saturday's game is the Big Sky opener for both teams. Northern Colorado went 2-6 in the Big Sky last season, while Weber State was 7-1, tying for the Big Sky title with Southern Utah.

Scouting Weber State
Weber State enters Saturday's game with back-to-back wins after falling to FBS Utah in the season opener. The Wildcats most recently defeated No. 22 South Dakota 27-10 at home. WSU's defense is once again one of the best in the FCS this season, holding the high-powered South Dakota offense to 238 yards last week. On the year, Weber State is holding opponents to 382.0 yards per game and 22.7 points. Through the first three games of the season, they have forced nine turnovers, including six fumble recoveries.

While the defense is back to its form from last season, the offense has struggled to move the ball. Weber State likes to rely heavily on the ground game and specifically the legs of Josh Davis. Davis is averaging 25 carries a game for 141.0 yards. He has hit the pay dirt twice. The team overall is averaging 211.7 yards per game of total offense.

Expectations are once again high for Weber State after a run to the quarterfinals last season. They are picked to finish second behind Eastern Washington in both the preseason coaches and media poll.

Around the Big Sky
It is week one of the Big Sky season featuring six different Big Sky matchups. Idaho makes its return to Big Sky football by traveling to UC Davis, while Sacramento State and Montana square off in Missoula of the lone game between two ranked teams. Preseason favorite Eastern Washington is also in action, hosting Cal Poly.

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 returns home for two straight games at Nottingham Field. The first comes on September 29 when North Dakota comes to town for a high noon kickoff. The Fighting Hawks are competing as an independent these next two seasons while moving from the Big Sky to the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The game does count in the Big Sky standings for UNC.

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