University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
2-2 , 0-0
Houston Christian
1-3 , 0-0
Bears Rally Past Huskies in Overtime
9/20/2025 9:50:00 PM | Football
The Bears (2-2) evened their record for the first time since 2022, grinding out 437 yards of offense on 91 plays and holding the ball for nearly 39 minutes.
After Houston Christian (1-3) took a 23-20 lead with a 37-yard field goal in its overtime possession, UNC answered with a six-play drive capped by Gibbs powering across the goal line for the game-winner.
Northern Colorado's offense was paced by running back Mathias Price, who carried 27 times for 126 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Eric Gibson Jr. added 215 passing yards and a six-yard touchdown strike to wideout Carver Cheeks, who caught eight passes for 101 yards.
The game opened with early adversity for UNC as Houston Christian linebacker Rodney Dansby returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown. The Bears quickly responded, driving 75 yards in 12 plays with Gibson finding Cheeks in the end zone to tie it 7-7 late in the first quarter.
UNC built a 17-7 lead in the second after a 48-yard Jacob Willig field goal and a six-yard touchdown run from Price. But the Huskies pulled within three just before halftime when corner Tyran Chappell intercepted Gibson and raced 82 yards for a score, making it 17-14 at the break.
Both teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, with Willig hitting from 27 yards and Houston Christian's Charlie Weinrich connecting from 46. Weinrich tied the game at 20 with a booming 50-yard kick late in the fourth, and the Huskies blocked a potential game-winning 36-yard attempt by Willig with four seconds left in regulation.
The Bears' defense held HCU to just 200 total yards, limiting the Huskies to 40 on the ground. Defensive lineman Ezra Ekuban posted eight tackles and a sack, while Brennen Acosta added 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Northern Colorado now turns its attention to the Big Sky, opening league play next Saturday at home against Idaho State for Homecoming.
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
Team Stats
UNC 0, HCU 7
HCU - Dansby,Rodney 37 yd interception (Weinrich,Charlie kick)
UNC 7, HCU 7
UNC - Cheeks,Carver 6 yd pass from Gibson,Eric (Willig,Jacob kick) 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:02
UNC 10, HCU 7
UNC - Willig,Jacob 48 yd field goal 6 plays, 16 yards, TOP 03:02
UNC 17, HCU 7
UNC - Price,Mathias 6 yd run (Willig,Jacob kick), 2 plays, 14 yards, TOP 00:26
UNC 17, HCU 14
HCU - Chappell,Tyran 82 yd interception (Weinrich,Charlie kick)
UNC 20, HCU 14
UNC - Willig,Jacob 27 yd field goal 12 plays, 59 yards, TOP 07:20
UNC 20, HCU 17
HCU - Weinrich,Charlie 46 yd field goal 8 plays, 47 yards, TOP 01:55
UNC 20, HCU 20
HCU - Weinrich,Charlie 50 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 00:45
UNC 20, HCU 23
HCU - Weinrich,Charlie 37 yd field goal 4 plays, 7 yards, TOP 00:00
UNC 26, HCU 23
UNC - Gibbs,Hank 1 yd run (), 6 plays, 25 yards, TOP 00:00
