University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
Northern Colorado Hosts Portland State in Senior Day Matchup
11/19/2025 2:59:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado football returns to Nottingham Field this weekend with a clear directive: turn effort into performance and send its seniors out the right way. After a frustrating, turnover-filled loss at Eastern Washington, head coach Ed Lamb said the Bears are approaching Saturday's matchup with Portland State with both urgency and belief.
"This is a must-win," Lamb said. "Not because we panic, but because it's our last chance to win a conference game at home, to send our seniors out proud, and to take a tangible step forward. Four wins would be the most here in almost a decade. That matters."
On Last Week's Performance…
Lamb didn't shy away from the painful elements of the loss, noting the Bears committed eight or nine turnovers,including five interceptions and four turnovers on downs, while failing to generate explosive plays in either the pass or run game.
"We brought great effort, but we didn't bring great performance," Lamb said. "There's a line between those two things. Our guys prepared well, they fought, they stayed together. But the turnovers were the story of the game, and we didn't play consistently enough on either side of the ball to overcome that."
Still, Lamb pointed to several moments: late-game defensive stops, energetic sideline celebrations, and a goal-line push that was ruled short, as evidence the team hasn't lost its fight.
"Our guys were still having fun, still playing hard," he said. "They show the culture is strong."
On Resetting the Offense…
With the offense struggling in recent weeks, Lamb acknowledged the need for a true reset: starting with clarity at quarterback.
"We've played our way into a quarterback controversy," Lamb said. "Going forward, Eric is our starter and Peter is our backup. Both guys have competed hard, but Eric has been slightly more efficient over the last couple games."
Lamb said the decision gives the staff and players much-needed direction.
"When you're game-planning for two quarterbacks, that's tough," he said. "This week we can build a plan around one guy. That clarity is step one of the reset."
On Defensive Expectations…
While the defense has shown flashes throughout the year, Lamb said the group didn't meet its standard last week.
"We've had strong moments, but we didn't put out a winning defensive performance," he said. "We've got the capability, we just have to execute more consistently."
On Portland State…
Like Northern Colorado, Portland State enters the week with a lower win total than its talent suggests.
"There are a lot of similarities between us," Lamb said. "Both teams have been pressing. That's when turnovers happen. If either of us could jump out early and play with a lead, it changes everything."
Lamb added that the Vikings' turnovers this year aren't a sign of weakness so much as a symptom of close games and comeback attempts.
"They're fighting like hell, just like we are," he said. "They played Montana toe-to-toe for two quarters last week. They're very capable."
On Senior Day and Program Growth…
Saturday will also mark a major milestone in UNC's roster development. The Bears will honor the program's largest senior class since Lamb arrived.
"In my first year, we had four seniors. Last year we had nine," Lamb said. "This is what a healthy program looks like. These are guys who've stayed, developed, and invested."
Lamb highlighted Eaton native Garrett Bean as a prime example of the program's cultural foundation.
"No player has made a bigger impact on our culture than Garrett," Lamb said. "He shows up every day like a pro. He's the glue for our defensive line and really for our whole team."
On the Importance of Saturday…
Though Lamb views every game as a must-win, he said this one carries unmistakable weight: for seniors, for momentum, and for the program's arc.
"Three wins doesn't tell the story of our growth," he said. "Four wins does. It's a tangible mark of progress, something these players can point to as they become young alumni who helped lay the foundation."
Above all, Lamb wants to see a performance that reflects the team's character.
"I want a winning performance, not just winning effort," he said. "I want composure, I want joy, I want our guys to show how far they've come. We've got a young roster and a locker room that's stayed together. Now it's time to finish the right way."
Northern Colorado (3-8, 1-6 Big Sky) will host Portland State (1-10, 1-6 Big Sky) on Saturday at 12 p.m. MT at Nottingham Field. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with radio coverage available on Pirate Radio 93.5 FM and pirateradio935.com.
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.
"This is a must-win," Lamb said. "Not because we panic, but because it's our last chance to win a conference game at home, to send our seniors out proud, and to take a tangible step forward. Four wins would be the most here in almost a decade. That matters."
On Last Week's Performance…
Lamb didn't shy away from the painful elements of the loss, noting the Bears committed eight or nine turnovers,including five interceptions and four turnovers on downs, while failing to generate explosive plays in either the pass or run game.
"We brought great effort, but we didn't bring great performance," Lamb said. "There's a line between those two things. Our guys prepared well, they fought, they stayed together. But the turnovers were the story of the game, and we didn't play consistently enough on either side of the ball to overcome that."
Still, Lamb pointed to several moments: late-game defensive stops, energetic sideline celebrations, and a goal-line push that was ruled short, as evidence the team hasn't lost its fight.
"Our guys were still having fun, still playing hard," he said. "They show the culture is strong."
On Resetting the Offense…
With the offense struggling in recent weeks, Lamb acknowledged the need for a true reset: starting with clarity at quarterback.
"We've played our way into a quarterback controversy," Lamb said. "Going forward, Eric is our starter and Peter is our backup. Both guys have competed hard, but Eric has been slightly more efficient over the last couple games."
Lamb said the decision gives the staff and players much-needed direction.
"When you're game-planning for two quarterbacks, that's tough," he said. "This week we can build a plan around one guy. That clarity is step one of the reset."
On Defensive Expectations…
While the defense has shown flashes throughout the year, Lamb said the group didn't meet its standard last week.
"We've had strong moments, but we didn't put out a winning defensive performance," he said. "We've got the capability, we just have to execute more consistently."
On Portland State…
Like Northern Colorado, Portland State enters the week with a lower win total than its talent suggests.
"There are a lot of similarities between us," Lamb said. "Both teams have been pressing. That's when turnovers happen. If either of us could jump out early and play with a lead, it changes everything."
Lamb added that the Vikings' turnovers this year aren't a sign of weakness so much as a symptom of close games and comeback attempts.
"They're fighting like hell, just like we are," he said. "They played Montana toe-to-toe for two quarters last week. They're very capable."
On Senior Day and Program Growth…
Saturday will also mark a major milestone in UNC's roster development. The Bears will honor the program's largest senior class since Lamb arrived.
"In my first year, we had four seniors. Last year we had nine," Lamb said. "This is what a healthy program looks like. These are guys who've stayed, developed, and invested."
Lamb highlighted Eaton native Garrett Bean as a prime example of the program's cultural foundation.
"No player has made a bigger impact on our culture than Garrett," Lamb said. "He shows up every day like a pro. He's the glue for our defensive line and really for our whole team."
On the Importance of Saturday…
Though Lamb views every game as a must-win, he said this one carries unmistakable weight: for seniors, for momentum, and for the program's arc.
"Three wins doesn't tell the story of our growth," he said. "Four wins does. It's a tangible mark of progress, something these players can point to as they become young alumni who helped lay the foundation."
Above all, Lamb wants to see a performance that reflects the team's character.
"I want a winning performance, not just winning effort," he said. "I want composure, I want joy, I want our guys to show how far they've come. We've got a young roster and a locker room that's stayed together. Now it's time to finish the right way."
Northern Colorado (3-8, 1-6 Big Sky) will host Portland State (1-10, 1-6 Big Sky) on Saturday at 12 p.m. MT at Nottingham Field. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with radio coverage available on Pirate Radio 93.5 FM and pirateradio935.com.
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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