Explosive Second Half Plays Lead to Homecoming Win

Saturday, September 24

Greeley, Colo.

1:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

2-2 , 1-0

Idaho State

0-4 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Idaho St.

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

9/24/2022 4:45:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Northern Colorado used a 21-point fourth quarter to defeat Idaho State

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – The Elijahs, Dotson and Anderson-Taylor, made key plays in the second half to help Northern Colorado pull away from Idaho State for a 35-14 homecoming win. Dotson had an 82-yard punt return to the house while Anderson-Taylor returned a fumble 47 yards for six and an exclamation point in the win.

The victory puts UNC at 1-0 in the Big Sky, evens its record to 2-2 on the year and snaps a four-game losing streak on homecoming.

Tied at 14 at the half it was a Dotson two-yard rushing score that put UNC up for good to start the fourth quarter. The rush capped off a meticulous 15 plays, 77-yard drive that ate up six minutes and 32 seconds.

Dotson finished the game with 208 all-purpose yards, the 82 yards on the punt return, 102 rushing yards and 24 receiving.

The Bears' defense was stingy in the second half forcing ISU to go 0-for-5 on third downs and 1-for-3 on fourth downs. The biggest play of the second half was Anderson-Taylor's scoop and score. He cleaned up Keenan Guthrie's forced fumble and for the second straight game, UNC scored on a fumble return.

What They Said

UNC Athletics · Postgame vs Idaho State 9/24/22

Game Notes
- Elijah Dotson became the first UNC running back since Milo Hall in 2019 against ISU to rush for over 100 yards. He had 102 yards on 24 carries.
- Dotson's punt return was the first since Ellis Onic II in 2015. The 82-yard return is the eighth longest in program history.
- Elijah Anderson-Taylor led UNC in tackles for the third straight game with 13.
- Dustin Johnson was flying around the field recording 10 tackles on the day and breaking up a pass.
- Dylan McCaffrey returned to the lineup with a strong game. He completed 23 of his 28 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown.
- Alec Pell was McCaffrey's top target with six receptions for 86 yards.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado makes its maiden voyage to Moscow, Idaho to face the Vandals. Kickoff inside the Kibby Dome is set for 7 pm MT.

UNC returns home on October 15 to host Montana State at 1 pm.

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