Northern Colorado Opens Big Sky Conference Play at Idaho State

Saturday, September 23

Pocatello, Idaho

4 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

Idaho State

9/21/2023 9:48:00 AM | Football

By: Dennis Driscoll, UNC Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications

POCATELLO, Idaho – The University of Northern Colorado football team opens Big Sky Conference play at Idaho State. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (MTN) and will be broadcast on KFKA and ESPN +.

Bears and the Bengals

This is the 13^th time UNC and ISU will meet on the gridiron. The Bears own a 7-5 series record and have won three in a row versus the Bengals. Over the past 10 games, UNC is 7-3. UNC is 2-3 all-time in Pocatello, and 5-2 all-time in Greeley.

The Bear's largest margin of victory was a 52-14 win in 2012, and the smallest margin of victory was a 43-42 win in 2017.

Last Time Versus Idaho State

The two teams last met last season, which UNC won 35-14.

The Bears found success on the ground with Elijah Dotson, who now plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, paced the offense with 102 rushing yards and one touchdown. Dotson also recorded 24 yards receiving out of the backfield. Alec Pell was the Bear's leading receiver with seven grabs for 86 yards, with a long of 31 yards.

On defense, Elijah Anderson-Taylor led the way with 13 tackles and recovered a fumble that he returned for 47 yards for a touchdown. Dustin Johnson added 10 tackles, including 4 solo stops and a pass breakup.

The Bears

The Bears are coming off a 64-21 setback at Washington State.
UNC generated 366 yards of total offense.
The offense went 5-for-13 on 3^rd down opportunities.
Jacob Sirmon finished 16-for-24 for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
David Afari rushed for 116 yards on 17 attempts for an average of 6.8 yards per carry. First 100-yard rusher of the season.
Freshman Kaleb Quammie recorded his first career interception.
Franky Morales finished with a game-high nine tackles, including eight solo stops and one pass breakup.
Cameron Murray added seven tackles and one tackle for loss.

The Bengals

The Bengals are coming off a 41-17 setback versus Northern Iowa.
ISU generated 346 yards of total offense.
Jordan Cooke completed 23-of-35 passes for 249 yards and one interception.
Hunter Hays also saw playing time and finished 7-for-9 for 69 yards and one touchdown.
Hays was the Bengals leading rusher with 24 yards on three attempts.
Tyler Williams led the Bengals with nine tackles.
Calvin Pitcher added seven tackles and one tackle for loss.

Knapke Makes the Move; Linebackers a Strength

Jordan Knapke has successfully made the move from safety to linebacker, and in the process beefed up to 225 pounds. He was a preseason All-Big Sky selection at defensive back and recorded 90 tackles in 2022.

Last season, Vincent King and Tama Tuitele found the ball carrier on a consistent basis. King finished with 66 tackles, 33 solo, and 33 assisted. He also added two sacks. Tuitele added 60 tackles, 32 solo and 28 assisted to go along with four tackles for loss.

Keyvon Lakes, Payton Polson, Jacob Stanton, and Keenan Guthrie all earned significant playing time in 2022.

Secondary Deep with Talent

The UNC secondary is deep with 18 student-athletes. At cornerback, Tizell Lewis, Tywonne Harris, Nathaniel Lewis, Noah Mangham, Darren Mercer, and Kaleb Quammie stand out. At the safety position, Makhi Johnson, and Dustin Johnson (no relation) expect to see significant playing time.

Running Back Depth

Coach Lamb and company are pleased with the talent and depth at the running back position. David Afari is listed atop the depth chart, but feel great with Darius Stewart and Caden Meis, with both listed as Co-No.2 backs.

Hoage and Knapke Named to Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team

University of Northern Colorado All-American linebacker David Hoage and defensive back Jordan Knapke were named to the Big Sky Football Preseason All-Conference Team, the conference office announced Monday morning.

Hoage, a 6-foot-3, 245-pounder out of Smoky Hill High School in Denver, returns after missing the 2022 season due to injury.

The veteran had a stellar 2021 campaign.

Hoage was a Third-Team All-America selection by AP and Stats Performance and First-Team Sophomore All-America selection by Hero Sports He was a Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference selection and led the Big Sky and ranked third in the nation with 22 tackles for a loss. Hoage set the program's DI single-season record for sacks with 10.5 and was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles, four and a half tackles for a loss, three sacks, and recovering two fumbles against Houston Baptist. Also recorded 70 tackles on the year, 39 solo, and led the team with eight QB hurries.

Knapke, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound Aurora, Colorado native and Grandview High School product, leads the Bears' secondary. He appeared in 11 games and recorded 90 tackles, 36 solo, and dad three PBUs. Last season Knapke had four games with double-digit tackles (vs. Idaho, at Sacramento State, vs. Montana State, at Eastern Washington).