University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Total Team Effort Leads to First Win of the Season
9/11/2021 9:37:00 PM | Football
Northern Colorado Football picked up the 45-13 win over Houston Baptist Saturday Night
Northern Colorado racked up 391 yards on offense while holding HBU to 266. It was a balanced attack on the night running for 182 yards and passing for 209.
Defensively, UNC had six sacks in the game. David Hoage led the defensive charge with eight tackles, three sacks, four tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries and three QB hurries. Not too shabby for the sophomore from Denver. The Bears had 10 tackles for a loss and two interceptions.
Gene Sledge got the run game going in the first quarter rushing for 42 yards and a pair of touchdowns, the first of his career. Northern Colorado scored on their first drive of the game and right before the end of the first 15 minutes. Sledge finished the night with 84 yards and two scores.
Houston Baptist moved into the red zone twice in the second quarter, but the defense held strong forcing a couple of field goals. The Huskies gaining momentum looked to tie the game before half, but the Bears had other plans.
Aaron Harris stepped in front of a quick out to the right side and raced 33-yards to the house to make it 21-6 UNC at the half.
Conner Martin took over at QB in the second half and had himself a game. He found Darren DaLaCroix on a short pass and the Greeley native raced down the UNC sideline for a 57-yard touchdown.
Martin's second touchdown pass of the game put the game away for good. A quick shovel pass to Jonah Morris who took it in from four yards out made it a 38-6 game. His final line was 9-14 for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
The run game closed out the game including a 65-yard touchdown drive all on the back of Jullen Ison. He touted the rock all six plays into the end zone.
What They Said
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado comes home for the first time since November 2019 next week when they host Lamar at 2 pm next Saturday. Tickets for the game and season are on sale now at UNCBears.com/Tickets.
Team Stats

UNC 7, HBU 0
UNC - Sledge Jr,Gene 11 yd run (Raybon,Ben kick), 10 plays, 70 yards, TOP 04:39

UNC 14, HBU 0
UNC - Sledge Jr,Gene 4 yd run (Raybon,Ben kick), 8 plays, 39 yards, TOP 03:44

UNC 14, HBU 3
HBU - Garcia,Gino 24 yd field goal 14 plays, 80 yards, TOP 04:55

UNC 14, HBU 6
HBU - Garcia,Gino 36 yd field goal 7 plays, 34 yards, TOP 02:08

UNC 21, HBU 6
UNC - Harris,Aaron 33 yd interception (Raybon,Ben kick)

UNC 28, HBU 6
UNC - DeLaCroix,Darren 57 yd pass from Martin,Conor (Raybon,Ben kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:02

UNC 31, HBU 6
UNC - Raybon,Ben 33 yd field goal 7 plays, 35 yards, TOP 02:40

UNC 38, HBU 6
UNC - Morris,Jonah 4 yd pass from Martin,Conor (Raybon,Ben kick) 6 plays, 64 yards, TOP 02:45

UNC 38, HBU 13
HBU - King,Charles 40 yd pass from Bentsen,Blaise (Garcia,Gino kick) 4 plays, 64 yards, TOP 01:32

UNC 45, HBU 13
UNC - Ison,Jullen 22 yd run (Raybon,Ben kick), 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:36