UNC Stunned in Home Opener

Saturday, September 14

Greeley, Colo.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

0-3 , 0-0

ACU

2-1 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Abilene Christian

Northern Colo.

9/15/2024 12:04:00 AM | Football

Box Score Final Game Book (PDF)HC Ed Lamb Postgame Presser QB Hank Gibbs Postgame Presser

By: Michael High, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. — Fast strike offense won out over ground and pound Saturday at Nottingham Field.

Northern Colorado dropped a hard-fought battle against 25th-ranked Abilene Christian as Ritse Vaes' 54-year field goal sailed through the uprights with no time left.

The Bears fell to 0-3 on the season, while the Wildcats improved to 2-1.

Hank Gibbs came off the bench and led a fourth-quarter comeback, orchestrating two touchdown drives, the second pushing UNC in front 22-21, with 1:10 remaining.

Trailing 21-10, the Bears took possession with one minute left in the third quarter and began a 14-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 7:18 and culminated with a two-yard touchdown by Caden Meis.

They failed to convert the 2-point conversion but trimmed the margin to 21-16, with 8:42 on the scoreboard.

UNC's defense forced a three-and-out, the 10^th of the game, handing the ball back to the offense, with 6:39 on the Bears 31.

They went 69 yards in 12 plays – including 10 rushes – with Gibbs being shoved across the goal line by his teammates with 70 seconds remaining. After a failed 2-point conversion that would have
pushed the lead to advantage, UNC kicked the ball back to ACU.

UNC held the nation's top-ranked passing attack in check most of the day but a nine-play (eight passes) went 38 yards in 1:05 and set up the game-winning field goal at the Bears 37-yard line.

Maverick McIvor, who led the country with 401.5 yards per game finished with 229 in the game. McIvor connected on 12 passes of 12, one of 18 and a 14-yard pass on the final drive.

Darius Stewart carried the ball 21 times for 132 of UNC's 241 yards on the ground. Hank Gibbs tallied 57 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Caden Meis made his season debut with 44 yards on 19 touches and two scores.

Jonah Chong started at quarterback and completed 4 of 8 pass attempts for 14 yards, while Gibbs threw for 11 yards on 2 for 5.

Hunter Green went 1 for 2 on field goal attempts and punted seven times, averaging 52.0 yards, with a long of 72.0, dropping two inside the 20.

UNC tallied 18 first downs, including 13 rushing and four via penalty, while holding ACU to 12, with 10 through the air and two rushing.

The Bears totaled 266 yards of offense, with 241 on the ground. ACU netted 325 yards, with 229 passing.

GAME SUMMARY
How They Scored
1Q (3:57) – Hunter Green 35 field goal | 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:42 | UNC 3, ACU 0
2Q (13:52) – Caden Meis 2 run (Green PAT) | 12 plays, 62 yards, 4:42 | UNC 10, ACU 0
2Q (1:09) – Sam Hicks 17 pass from Maverick McIvor (Ritse Vaes PAT) | 4 plays, 66 yards, 0:46 | UNC 10, ACU 7
3Q (9:32) – Sam Hicks 65 run (Vaes PAT) | 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:05 | ACU 14, UNC 10
3Q (1:00) – Isaiah Johnson 5 run (Vaes PAT) | 9 plays, 84 yards, 3:50 | ACU 21, UNC 10
4Q (8:42) – Caden Meis 2 run (pass failed) | 16 plays, 75 yards, 7:18 | ACU 21, UNC 16
4Q (1:10) – Hank Gibbs 3 run (pass failed) | 14 plays, 69 yards, 5:29 | UNC 22, ACU 21
4Q (0:00) – Vaes 54 field goal | 9 plays, 38 yards, 1:10 | ACU 24, UNC 22

Up Next
UNC makes its second trip to the Lone Star State this season with a meeting against SFA in Nacogdoches, Texas, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. MT.
Next Home Game
UNC returns to Nottingham Field Saturday, Sept. 21, in the Big Sky Conference opener against Cal Poly at 1 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

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