University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
Idaho State
PREVIEW: Bears Set to Host Idaho State at Nottingham Field for Homecoming
9/23/2025 11:43:00 AM | Football
WATCH: ESPN+
LISTEN: Pirate Radio // 93.5 FM // pirateradio935.com
LIVE STATS: UNCBears.com/FBStats
GAMEDAY INFO & TIMELINE
The gameday timeline for Saturday is listed below.
Parade – 9 a.m.
Student Tailgate Opens – 10 a.m.
Gates Open – 12 p.m.
National Anthem – 12:56 p.m.
Kickoff – 1:02 p.m.
Homecoming Court Presentation: Halftime
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
WEEK 4 RECAP: Northern Colorado gutted out a 26-23 overtime win at Houston Christian on Saturday night, evening its record at 2-2 for the first time since 2022. After the Huskies opened overtime with a field goal, the Bears answered with a six-play drive capped by Hank Gibbs' one-yard touchdown run for the game-winner. UNC's offense controlled the game with 437 total yards and nearly 39 minutes of possession, led by running back Mathias Price's 126 rushing yards and a score. Quarterback Eric Gibson Jr. threw for 215 yards and a touchdown to Carver Cheeks, who hauled in eight catches for 101 yards. Defensively, the Bears limited HCU to just 200 total yards and 40 on the ground, with Ezra Ekuban (8 tackles, 1 sack) and Brennen Acosta (1.5 sacks, forced fumble) leading the charge.
SERIES HISTORY:
- Saturday marks the 36th all-time meeting between the programs.
- Idaho State leads the all-time series, 22-13.
- The series began in 1939 with Northern Colorado winning 13-0 in Pocatello.
- The Bengals won their first game of the series in 1948 in Pocatello, 38-6.
- ISU went on a 10-game win streak between 1951-60.
- Since the Bears moved to DI, they hold a 7-6 advantage.
- The Bengals are 10-8 in Greeley.
- UNC played ISU on Homecoming in 2008, winning 29-9.
THE LAMB ERA: Head coach Ed Lamb enters year three with a clear vision for growth. A veteran of the Big Sky Conference and a two-time Eddie Robinson Award finalist for FCS National Coach of the Year at Southern Utah, Lamb continues to build a foundation centered on discipline, player development, and local recruiting. While the Bears went 1-11 (1-7 Big Sky) in 2024, they closed the year playing their most competitive football and return several key contributors on both sides of the ball. That progress has carried into 2025, as Northern Colorado opened the season with a 17-3 win over Chadron State, its first opening-day victory since 2017 and first under Lamb at Nottingham Field, then nearly upset FBS foe Colorado State in a 21-17 road loss. The Bears followed with an overtime battle at No. 20/12 South Dakota, falling 24-17 in their second straight road game before breaking through with a gritty 26-23 overtime win at Houston Christian to even their record at 2-2. Through four games, UNC is averaging 346 yards of total offense (135.5 rushing, 210.5 passing) and holding opponents to 327.5 yards per game. Quarterback Eric Gibson Jr. has completed 66 percent of his passes for 750 yards and two touchdowns, while Mathias Price leads the ground attack with 199 yards and a score. Carver Cheeks (289 yards, 1 TD) and Brayden Munroe (173 yards, 1 TD) headline the receiving corps. Defensively, the Bears are led by Hudson Voggesser (33 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack), Darrell Bryant Jr. (26 tackles, 1 INT), Cam Chapa (26 tackles, 1 INT) and Ezra Ekuban (22 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery). Special teams have been a strength, with Jacob Willig converting 7-of-9 field goals, including a long of 48 yards.
GIBSON IN CONTROL: Redshirt junior quarterback Eric Gibson Jr. has provided stability and efficiency through the first month of the season. After leading UNC to a 17-3 opening win over Chadron State and nearly upsetting FBS foe Colorado State, Gibson exploded for a career-high 336 yards at No. 20/12 South Dakota before guiding the Bears to an overtime win at Houston Christian. Through four games, Gibson has completed 66 percent of his passes for 750 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball to a balanced group of playmakers led by Carver Cheeks and Brayden Munroe.
PRICE SETS THE PACE: Sophomore running back Mathias Price has powered the Bears' rushing attack. Despite missing one game, Price has carried 44 times for 199 yards (4.5 ypc) and a touchdown, highlighted by his 126-yard performance in the overtime win at Houston Christian. With UNC averaging 135.5 rushing yards per game, Price has emerged as the lead back in a committee that also features Aliou-Rocco Traore and a mix of situational contributors.
CHEEKS & COMPANY: UNC's receiving corps has been consistent and explosive through four weeks. Junior wideout Carver Cheeks leads the team with 19 catches for 289 yards and a touchdown, averaging more than 72 yards per game, while Brayden Munroe has added 173 yards and a score on just nine receptions, including a 60-yard touchdown. Together with Charles Garrison and Dawson Menegatti, the Bears already have four receivers with 90+ yards, giving Gibson a versatile arsenal.
DEFENSE DELIVERS: The Bears' defense has limited opponents to just 17.8 points and 327.5 yards per game while creating timely stops. Linebacker Hudson Voggesser leads the unit with 33 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack, while Darrell Bryant Jr. has chipped in 26 stops, three pass breakups, and an interception. Up front, Ezra Ekuban has been a disruptive force with 22 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks, while Brennen Acosta (1.5 sacks, forced fumble) and Zach Nowatzke (20 tackles) provide steady production.
SPECIAL TEAMS EDGE: Special teams have been a difference-maker in 2025. Kicker Jacob Willig is 7-of-9 on field goals with a long of 48, including clutch makes from 48 and 27 yards at Houston Christian. Punter Leo Blumentritt has averaged 42.6 yards per boot with eight punts pinned inside the 20, while returner Luke Wooten added a spark with 57 all-purpose yards.
EVENING THE RECORD: With their overtime win at Houston Christian, the Bears moved to 2-2, the program's first .500 record since the 2022 season.
2025 SEASON SUPERLATIVES:
- Strong Start: First 2-2 start since 2022.
- Opening Day Win: First opening-day victory since 2017.
- Overtime Road Success: First overtime road win since 2016 (10/29 at Portland State, 56-49).
- Offensive Production: Outgained opponents in total offense, averaging 346.0 yards per game vs. 327.5 allowed.
- Time of Possession: Second in the Big Sky at 31:10 per game (38th in FCS).
Passing Excellence – Eric Gibson Jr.:
- Completion % of 66.1 (3rd in Big Sky, 32nd in FCS).
- 336 passing yards vs. South Dakota = most by a Bear since Kyle Sloter recorded 438 vs Cal Poly on November 19, 2016.
- Passing efficiency 124.4 (6th in Big Sky, 68th in FCS).
Rushing Highlights – Mathias Price:
- 126 yards at Houston Christian = first 100-yard rushing game for UNC since David Afari recorded 108 against Idaho State on September 23, 2023.
- Averaging 66.3 rushing yards/game, top 10 in the Big Sky (58th in FCS in YPC at 4.52).
Receiving Leaders:
- Carver Cheeks averaging 72.3 receiving yards/game, 48th in FCS, fifth in Big Sky.
- Brayden Munroe's 60-yard TD = longest UNC scoring play of the season.
Defensive Standouts:
- Hudson Voggesser leads team with 33 tackles, among Big Sky leaders.
- Back-to-back Big Sky Players of the Week (Ekuban, Voggesser), first time since 2012; Week 10 -Dominic Gunn (Ret.), Week 11 – Seth Lobato (QB), Week 12 – Marcel Gibbons (S).
- Defense allowing just 17.8 ppg (17th in FCS, 1st in Big Sky), lowest through four games since 2003 (16.25 ppg).
- Total of 7 sacks in 4 games (Ekuban 2.0, Acosta 1.5, Bryant 1.0).
- First Downs Defense ranked 5th in Big Sky; 3rd Down Conversion Defense 9th in FCS (1st in Big Sky).
Special Teams:
- Jacob Willig tied for Big Sky lead with 7 field goals made; longest 48 yards = longest by a Bear since 2024 (Hunter Green, 53 yards at Colorado State).
- Leo Blumentritt averaging 42.6 yards per punt (3rd in Big Sky), with 8 punts inside the 20.
Team Discipline & Turnovers:
- Fewest penalties per game (4.75) – 2nd in Big Sky, 16th in FCS.
- Turnover margin +0.75 (22nd in FCS, 2nd in Big Sky).
- UNC leads Big Sky in sacks allowed (0.25 per game, 1st in conference, 5th in FCS).
Tough Schedule & Milestones:
- First back-to-back overtime games since 2021 (9/18 – Lamar, 9/25 – Northern Arizona).
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