University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
Northern Colorado Reenergized for Big Sky Battle at Idaho
10/8/2025 1:05:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Coming off a much-needed bye week, Northern Colorado football now sets its focus on a road test against nationally ranked Idaho, one of the Big Sky Conference's premier programs.
Head coach Ed Lamb met with the media Wednesday to reflect on the bye week, provide injury updates, and preview Saturday's matchup in Moscow.
On the bye week and getting healthy
"I'm really grateful we had the bye this week," Lamb said. "We made nice progress with some guys who were banged up, not lost for the season, but needing time to recover. Of the seven offensive starters we had out during the Idaho State game, five are back practicing now. Just getting those guys back on the field, especially from a leadership standpoint, is huge."
On the upcoming stretch and facing Idaho
"The timing is right. We're heading into a really challenging part of the schedule with a couple of road games in a row, starting with a great Idaho team this week," Lamb noted. "They're playing really good football. Like Idaho State, they've had fourth-quarter leads against FBS opponents and lost on last-play field goals at Washington State and San José State. That tells you the level they're at."
On Idaho's defense
"They're one of the most unpredictable defenses we've studied," Lamb said. "Probably the best pattern-match zone defensive team I've seen since I've been here. They're really well-coached, play with great effort, and mix things up constantly. It's a big challenge for our offense."
On Idaho's offense
"Offensively, they attack where you need to improve," Lamb explained. "They've got a quarterback who's been their leading rusher at times and adds a true plus-one to their run game. They're really creative; I've even seen them line up with nine offensive linemen on the field. They're tough and committed to running the football."
On playing in the Kibbie Dome
"I was on staff at Idaho in the early 2000s, and I know what that place can be like," Lamb said. "When we played San Diego State in 2003, it was the loudest game I've ever been part of. It's homecoming for them, and it'll be a great environment. Football matters in Moscow."
On offensive balance and execution
"We're not producing enough points," Lamb said. "We've got to run the ball more efficiently. Too often we've become one-dimensional. We're big up front and have good tight ends, we need to take advantage of that. We've moved the ball, but we have to score in the red zone when we get there."
Lamb credited his team's chemistry for keeping things steady:
"I'm proud of how connected our group is. Even in that Houston Christian game, when we gave up two pick-sixes, our defense never pointed fingers. That's a sign of growth. We've got a close team that's been through a lot together and believes in what we're building."
Northern Colorado (2-3, 0-1 Big Sky) travels to face Idaho (2-3, 0-1 Big Sky) on Saturday at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. MDT on ESPN+.
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.
Head coach Ed Lamb met with the media Wednesday to reflect on the bye week, provide injury updates, and preview Saturday's matchup in Moscow.
On the bye week and getting healthy
"I'm really grateful we had the bye this week," Lamb said. "We made nice progress with some guys who were banged up, not lost for the season, but needing time to recover. Of the seven offensive starters we had out during the Idaho State game, five are back practicing now. Just getting those guys back on the field, especially from a leadership standpoint, is huge."
On the upcoming stretch and facing Idaho
"The timing is right. We're heading into a really challenging part of the schedule with a couple of road games in a row, starting with a great Idaho team this week," Lamb noted. "They're playing really good football. Like Idaho State, they've had fourth-quarter leads against FBS opponents and lost on last-play field goals at Washington State and San José State. That tells you the level they're at."
On Idaho's defense
"They're one of the most unpredictable defenses we've studied," Lamb said. "Probably the best pattern-match zone defensive team I've seen since I've been here. They're really well-coached, play with great effort, and mix things up constantly. It's a big challenge for our offense."
On Idaho's offense
"Offensively, they attack where you need to improve," Lamb explained. "They've got a quarterback who's been their leading rusher at times and adds a true plus-one to their run game. They're really creative; I've even seen them line up with nine offensive linemen on the field. They're tough and committed to running the football."
On playing in the Kibbie Dome
"I was on staff at Idaho in the early 2000s, and I know what that place can be like," Lamb said. "When we played San Diego State in 2003, it was the loudest game I've ever been part of. It's homecoming for them, and it'll be a great environment. Football matters in Moscow."
On offensive balance and execution
"We're not producing enough points," Lamb said. "We've got to run the ball more efficiently. Too often we've become one-dimensional. We're big up front and have good tight ends, we need to take advantage of that. We've moved the ball, but we have to score in the red zone when we get there."
Lamb credited his team's chemistry for keeping things steady:
"I'm proud of how connected our group is. Even in that Houston Christian game, when we gave up two pick-sixes, our defense never pointed fingers. That's a sign of growth. We've got a close team that's been through a lot together and believes in what we're building."
Northern Colorado (2-3, 0-1 Big Sky) travels to face Idaho (2-3, 0-1 Big Sky) on Saturday at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. MDT on ESPN+.
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.
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