University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, November 1
Greeley, Colo.
12 p.m. MDT
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Montana State
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
PREVIEW: UNC Back at Home to Face No. 4 Montana State
10/28/2025 12:03:00 PM | Football
WATCH:Â ESPN+
LISTEN:Â Pirate Radio // 93.5 FM // pirateradio935.com
LIVE STATS:Â UNCBears.com/FBStats
GAMEDAY INFO & TIMELINE
The gameday timeline for Saturday is listed below.
Student Tailgate Opens – 9 a.m.
Gates Open – 11 a.m.
National Anthem – 12:56 p.m.
Kickoff – 12:05 p.m.
TICKETS & PARKING
Tickets for Saturday's game are available at UNCBears.com/Tickets.
Parking information for Saturday's game are available at UNCBears.com/FBParking
Â
WEEK 10 RECAP: Northern Colorado football (3-5, 1-3 Big Sky) came up short on Saturday afternoon, falling 27-16 to No. 6/6 UC Davis (6-1, 4-0 Big Sky) at Nottingham Field. After UC Davis built a 24-0 lead in the first half, the Bears responded with a quick three-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 51-yard touchdown strike from Eric Gibson Jr. to Brayden Munroe with 24 seconds left in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 24-7 at the break. Northern Colorado's defense stiffened after halftime, holding the Aggies scoreless in the third quarter. The Bears capitalized midway through the period when Brandon Johnson powered in from two yards out to pull UNC within 24-13. Early in the fourth, Jacob Willig connected on a 29-yard field goal to make it a one-possession game, but UC Davis sealed the win with a 41-yard field goal in the closing minute. Gibson finished the day 31-of-45 passing for 269 yards and a touchdown, marking his sixth straight 200-yard outing of the season. Munroe led the receiving corps with eight catches for 100 yards and a score, while Carver Cheeks added eight receptions for 79 yards. Johnson paced the ground game with 65 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Defensively, Cam Chapa and Franky Morales each tallied seven tackles, while Chapa and Sione Tuha both recorded interceptions. The Bears held UC Davis to just three second-half points and forced two turnovers on the day.
SERIES HISTORY:
Montana State leads the all-time series 24-10-1
Home: 6-10 | Away: 4-14-1
First Meeting: 1926 (A - L, 6-9)
Last Meeting: Oct. 5, 2024 (A - L, 17-55)
Last UNC Win: Oct. 27, 2007 (H - W, 16-13)
Longest UNC Win Streak: 6 (1934-1952)
Longest UNC Losing Streak: 9 (2009-present)
THE LAMB ERA: In his third season, head coach Ed Lamb continues to redefine Northern Colorado football with a focus on development, discipline, and in-state recruiting. After a 1-11 finish in 2024, the Bears have already tripled that win total in 2025, highlighted by a 49-33 upset of then-No. 11/13 Idaho and narrow losses to FBS Colorado State and Sacramento State. UNC has become one of the nation's most disciplined programs, ranking top 10 nationally in fewest penalties and fewest penalty yards per game, while boasting a top-five passing defense and top-40 turnover margin.
Defensive Grit
Northern Colorado ranks No. 17 nationally and 1st in the Big Sky in passing yards allowed (180.3).
The Bears also rank 6th nationally and 1st in the Big Sky in team passing efficiency defense (105.2).
UNC has forced 14 turnovers this season, tied for most in the Big Sky and 13th nationally.
Cam Chapa leads the Big Sky and ranks 6th nationally with 5.6 solo tackles per game, adding three interceptions this year.
Air Attack Efficiency
QB Eric Gibson Jr. ranks No. 5 nationally and 2nd in the Big Sky with 2,087 passing yards, averaging 261 yards per game.
He has thrown for 200+ yards in six straight games and owns a 66.2% completion rate, 4th in the Big Sky.
WR Carver Cheeks leads the Big Sky in receiving yards (804) and yards per game (100.5), ranking Top 5 nationally in both.
Brayden Munroe adds 497 yards and three TDs, giving UNC two of the top 10 receivers in the conference.
Discipline and Execution
The Bears are among the nation's least penalized teams, ranking:
No. 6 nationally in fewest penalty yards per game (34.75)
No. 9 in total penalty yards (278)
No. 11 in fewest penalties per game (4.38)
Northern Colorado has allowed just one sack per game, 9th nationally and 2nd in the Big Sky.
Special Teams Strength
Kicker Jacob Willig ranks 2nd in the Big Sky with 1.38 field goals per game, connecting on 73% of his attempts.
Punter Leo Blumentritt averages 43.4 yards per punt, 2nd in the league and 21st nationally.
Takeaway Mentality
The Bears' defense has recovered seven fumbles (T-1st Big Sky) and picked off seven passes (4th Big Sky).
Chapa has three takeaways on the year and Sione Tuha has two, while Chapa and Voggesser rank among the team's top tacklers with 7.9 total tackles per game.
Trending Up
The Bears' passing offense ranks 13th nationally (272.4 ypg), while their total offense sits 38th nationally at 390.3 ypg.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the football team on Instagram, X and Facebook.
Â
LISTEN:Â Pirate Radio // 93.5 FM // pirateradio935.com
LIVE STATS:Â UNCBears.com/FBStats
GAMEDAY INFO & TIMELINE
The gameday timeline for Saturday is listed below.
Student Tailgate Opens – 9 a.m.
Gates Open – 11 a.m.
National Anthem – 12:56 p.m.
Kickoff – 12:05 p.m.
TICKETS & PARKING
Tickets for Saturday's game are available at UNCBears.com/Tickets.
Parking information for Saturday's game are available at UNCBears.com/FBParking
Â
WEEK 10 RECAP: Northern Colorado football (3-5, 1-3 Big Sky) came up short on Saturday afternoon, falling 27-16 to No. 6/6 UC Davis (6-1, 4-0 Big Sky) at Nottingham Field. After UC Davis built a 24-0 lead in the first half, the Bears responded with a quick three-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 51-yard touchdown strike from Eric Gibson Jr. to Brayden Munroe with 24 seconds left in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 24-7 at the break. Northern Colorado's defense stiffened after halftime, holding the Aggies scoreless in the third quarter. The Bears capitalized midway through the period when Brandon Johnson powered in from two yards out to pull UNC within 24-13. Early in the fourth, Jacob Willig connected on a 29-yard field goal to make it a one-possession game, but UC Davis sealed the win with a 41-yard field goal in the closing minute. Gibson finished the day 31-of-45 passing for 269 yards and a touchdown, marking his sixth straight 200-yard outing of the season. Munroe led the receiving corps with eight catches for 100 yards and a score, while Carver Cheeks added eight receptions for 79 yards. Johnson paced the ground game with 65 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Defensively, Cam Chapa and Franky Morales each tallied seven tackles, while Chapa and Sione Tuha both recorded interceptions. The Bears held UC Davis to just three second-half points and forced two turnovers on the day.
SERIES HISTORY:
Montana State leads the all-time series 24-10-1
Home: 6-10 | Away: 4-14-1
First Meeting: 1926 (A - L, 6-9)
Last Meeting: Oct. 5, 2024 (A - L, 17-55)
Last UNC Win: Oct. 27, 2007 (H - W, 16-13)
Longest UNC Win Streak: 6 (1934-1952)
Longest UNC Losing Streak: 9 (2009-present)
THE LAMB ERA: In his third season, head coach Ed Lamb continues to redefine Northern Colorado football with a focus on development, discipline, and in-state recruiting. After a 1-11 finish in 2024, the Bears have already tripled that win total in 2025, highlighted by a 49-33 upset of then-No. 11/13 Idaho and narrow losses to FBS Colorado State and Sacramento State. UNC has become one of the nation's most disciplined programs, ranking top 10 nationally in fewest penalties and fewest penalty yards per game, while boasting a top-five passing defense and top-40 turnover margin.
Defensive Grit
Northern Colorado ranks No. 17 nationally and 1st in the Big Sky in passing yards allowed (180.3).
The Bears also rank 6th nationally and 1st in the Big Sky in team passing efficiency defense (105.2).
UNC has forced 14 turnovers this season, tied for most in the Big Sky and 13th nationally.
Cam Chapa leads the Big Sky and ranks 6th nationally with 5.6 solo tackles per game, adding three interceptions this year.
Air Attack Efficiency
QB Eric Gibson Jr. ranks No. 5 nationally and 2nd in the Big Sky with 2,087 passing yards, averaging 261 yards per game.
He has thrown for 200+ yards in six straight games and owns a 66.2% completion rate, 4th in the Big Sky.
WR Carver Cheeks leads the Big Sky in receiving yards (804) and yards per game (100.5), ranking Top 5 nationally in both.
Brayden Munroe adds 497 yards and three TDs, giving UNC two of the top 10 receivers in the conference.
Discipline and Execution
The Bears are among the nation's least penalized teams, ranking:
No. 6 nationally in fewest penalty yards per game (34.75)
No. 9 in total penalty yards (278)
No. 11 in fewest penalties per game (4.38)
Northern Colorado has allowed just one sack per game, 9th nationally and 2nd in the Big Sky.
Special Teams Strength
Kicker Jacob Willig ranks 2nd in the Big Sky with 1.38 field goals per game, connecting on 73% of his attempts.
Punter Leo Blumentritt averages 43.4 yards per punt, 2nd in the league and 21st nationally.
Takeaway Mentality
The Bears' defense has recovered seven fumbles (T-1st Big Sky) and picked off seven passes (4th Big Sky).
Chapa has three takeaways on the year and Sione Tuha has two, while Chapa and Voggesser rank among the team's top tacklers with 7.9 total tackles per game.
Trending Up
The Bears' passing offense ranks 13th nationally (272.4 ypg), while their total offense sits 38th nationally at 390.3 ypg.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the football team on Instagram, X and Facebook.
Â
Players Mentioned
P/PK
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
S
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
PK
/ FootballEd Lamb Press Conference vs UC Davis
Saturday, October 25
Ed Lamb Press Conference 10/22/2025
Wednesday, October 22
Head Coach Ed Lamb Signing Day Press Conference
Monday, October 20
Head Coach Ed Lamb Press Conference 9/24/25
Saturday, October 18
