Bears Start Strong, but Northern Arizona Finishes

Saturday, October 5

Flagstaff, Ariz.

5 pm

University of Northern Colorado

1-5 , 1-1

Northern Arizona

3-3 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Northern Colorado

Northern Arizona

Photo by: Ryan Pfeifer

10/5/2019 9:37:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Northern Arizona’s big third quarter hurt Northern Colorado Saturday night.

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona's big third quarter pushed the Lumberjacks passed the Bears on Saturday night 41-23 in what was an offensive shootout. The two teams combined for 980 yards of offense.

While the Bears scored just 14 seconds into the third quarter to go up 20-10, it turned into all NAU after that. The Lumberjacks scored 24 straight points in the quarter and outgained the Bears 283-116.

The Bears jumped out to the early lead with a pair of Ben Raybon field goals including capping off a 13 play, 69-yards drive that entered the beginning of the second quarter.

Momentum started to turn towards Northern Arizona when they took the lead at 7-6 on a 47-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter.

The Bears quickly respond with a six-play 75-yards drive topped off on a 16-yard pass from Jacob Knipp to Fairman. A 57-yard field goal at the end of the half made it at 13-10 Northern Colorado lead at the break.

Northern Colorado extended its lead back to 10 only 14 seconds into the second half when Knipp connected with Noah Sarria for 75-yards. From that moment on Northern Arizona went on its scoring run to take over the game.

What They Said
Head Coach Earnest Collins
"Tonight's game was all about finishing and we didn't finish. We were up and had our chances, but in the end, we didn't finish. We had our game plan and stopped doing what we were supposed to be doing. They were gaining yards and we started to try and help out someone else instead of being over the top like the plan was. We have to do our one of eleven and our job and then we will finish."

Game Notes
- Jacob Knipp became the sixth player in UNC history to surpass the 5,000 career passing yards mark. After his 411 yards on Saturday, he has 5,324 for his career. Knipp is also now tied for seventh in program history for career touchdown passes with 33.
- David Hoage recovered his first career fumble in the game.
- Tyree McNeil's interception in the second quarter was the first of his career.
- Noah Sarria's 75-yard touchdown reception is the longest play of the season for the Bears and Sarria's first career TD.
- Willie Fairman and Sarria are the first two Bears since Fairman and Alex Wesley to go over 100 yards receiving in the same game last year at Portland State. Sarria finished with 121 yards and Fairman 102.

What's Ahead
UNC stays on the road next week to face No. 21/22 Eastern Washington. Kickoff between the Bears and Eagles is set for 2 pm MT. The game will be broadcast on Root Sports and you can listen to the game on 1310 KFKA.

Northern Colorado's next home game comes on October 19 for homecoming when Portland State comes to town. Kickoff between the Bears and Vikings will be at 1 pm MT.

Tickets for the game against Portland State and all UNC Athletic events, visit UNCBears.com/Tickets, call 970-351-4849 or visit the UNC Ticket Office located in the Campus Commons.

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