Bears, Vandals Meet for First Time on Gridiorn

GAME INFO
Who: Northern Colorado (0-4) vs RV/- Idaho (2-2)
When: Sept. 28, 1 pm MT
Where: Greeley, Colo., Nottingham Field
How to Follow: Eleven Sports | Pluto TV Ch. 5 41 | 1310 KFKA | Live Stats | Tickets | @UNC_BearsFB

Gameday Happenings
Join other fans in Blue & Gold at the Pepsi Fan Fest before the game just north of Nottingham Field. The Pepsi Fan Fest opens at 10 am on Saturday and features bounce houses, face painting, tailgate games, food samples and tons of other fun!

For more information on Pepsi Fan Fest and other questions about gamedays at Nottingham Field, visit the Football Gameday page.

Still do not have tickets yet for Saturday's game, that's no problem visit UNCBears.com/Tickets, call 970-351-4849 or visit the UNC Ticket Office located in the Campus Commons to purchase your tickets starting as low as $15.

Opening Drive
It's a first-time match up between Northern Colorado and Idaho to open up Big Sky play. While the Vandals are an original Big Sky Conference team and UNC has been in the Big Sky since 2007, the two programs have never met on the gridiron. Idaho returned to the conference last year in football after being on the FBS level from 1996-2017.

Northern Colorado enters the game still seeking their first win of 2019 after dropping a defensive battle against South Dakota last week 14-6.

Idaho is coming off a big upset of rival Eastern Washington last week 35-27. The Vandals jumped out to a 28-0 lead at the half and held on for the win. While both teams are in the Big Sky Conference, it counted as a non-conference game, just like UNC's game against Sacramento State.

This Week's Numbers
13 - With the start of Big Sky Play on Saturday, it marks the 13th season the Bears have been apart of the conference since completing their transition to Division I in 2006.
4 - The Bears recorded four sacks last Saturday against South Dakota. Joe Golden led the team with 1.5.
5.5 - Luke Nelson and Jerone Jackson are tied for 34th nationally in solo tackles per game. The two are averaging 5.5 on the season. Nelson leads the team with 34 tackles on the year while Jackson is not far behind with 32.

About Idaho
• Idaho comes to Greeley on Saturday after a huge win over rival Eastern Washington last week. The Vandals jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and held on to win 35-27.
• Linebacker Charles Akanno earned the Stats FCS National Defensive Player of the Week and Root Sports Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honor for his performance against EWU. He had a career-high nine tackles along with breaking up three passes, forced a fumble, hurried the quarterback three times and assisted on a tackle for a loss.
• In his first game since being named the permanent starter, quarterback Maston Petrino completed 21 of his 31 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns while running in for another score.
• The Vandals lead the Big Sky in time of possession and rank sixth in the nation holding the ball for 33:53.
• Idaho was picked to finish eighth in the Big Sky by both the media and coaches in the preseason.

What's Ahead
UNC goes back on the road next week when they travel to Flagstaff, Arizona to take on Northern Arizona. Kickoff between the Bears and Lumberjacks is set for 5 pm MT. Watch the game on Pluto TV Ch. 539 and 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 folow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at UNC_BearsFB.

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Players Mentioned

Joe Golden

Jerone Jackson

Luke Nelson

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