University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
Six Seconds: How Keegan Patterson Stayed Ready for a Chance That Finally Came
10/13/2026 12:33:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Keegan Patterson can count the reps on one hand.
"I haven't gotten a lot of reps," Patterson said. "I can probably count on one hand the number of true team reps I've gotten in the last seven weeks."
He was the third quarterback in a room with two starters, and he spent seven weeks preparing for a moment that had no scheduled arrival. He took mental reps. He ran his own film regimen, one he built in a previous season when he was playing regularly. He never stopped preparing to be the starter.
"Every single week I was preparing to be the starter and preparing to play," Patterson said. "That's something that never changed, regardless of where I was."
Then, at Eastern Washington, with Brayten Silbor and Kenny Lueth both banged up and the Bears down 28-6 at halftime, head coach Ed Lamb called his number.
The Opportunity
Lamb said the decision was straightforward.
"We're just looking to give him an opportunity. The other two guys got banged up, and he ran with it," Lamb said. "I've said that for weeks. I don't know if people believe me. I've said we've got three that I think the whole team will rally around and believe we have a chance to win."
Patterson led a 17-play, 78-yard drive that consumed 9:29 of the third quarter, the most plays on a touchdown drive this season and the longest by time of possession. He finished it himself on a 1-yard run for his first rushing touchdown at UNC.
He was honest afterward about what the lack of reps cost him.
"I haven't been in the moment in practice for two months, not standing behind the offensive line and getting a pass rush," Patterson said. "I was sped up a few times during the game, and I need to be better. I will be better this next week."
The Six-Second Mindset
Patterson's framing of the game has become the team's language. Lamb said he heard it from Patterson and has used it since.
"The idea of going out there and competing for six seconds at a time and trying to win six seconds, bite-sized chunks," Lamb said. "That's what we need."
Patterson explained it himself.
"We're not trying to swing for home runs every play, but we need to win a six-second battle and continue to finish drives and score points with touchdowns," Patterson said. "It's like, go and beat somebody for six seconds, and then do it again. When you frame it that way, it makes it easier to wrap your mind around. You're not trying to win a whole game at once."
Lamb said that message was the same one he delivered before the game, and it held at halftime.
"I've been in locker rooms where the coaches came in after a half like that and you're so frustrated, and maybe what the players need is to be shaken up," Lamb said. "But they didn't need that, and we didn't offer that. Several people said, 'What'd you say at halftime?' Disappointingly, I think I can see in their eyes it was the same message I gave before the game. We did not start playing this game to have stressful Saturdays. Stop worrying about winning and losing. Start making plays."
A Room That Works
Patterson played at USC, then Northwest Mississippi Community College, then Indiana State before landing in Greeley for his final season. He came back closer to home so his family could see him play.
"I've been far from home the entirety of my college career," Patterson said. "Coming here, I was hopeful that my family could come to a lot more games and watch me as my career potentially comes to a close."
He said the three-quarterback arrangement is difficult to manage, and most places don't manage it well.
"As competitors, obviously everybody wants their opportunity and wants to play, and that's something you have to find balance in and have respect for your teammates," Patterson said. "There's no doubt in my mind that whoever's out there, the other guys want to see them succeed. That's the top priority, the success of the team. It's difficult to balance, and a lot of places haven't balanced as well as we have here."
He also confirmed a small piece of history from Saturday. His 8-yard touchdown catch from Jordan Herron was the first receiving touchdown of his career, and just the second catch he has ever made.
"I had a two-point conversion in high school off a similar play," Patterson said. "Other than that, I think that was my second catch ever."
What's Next
Northern Colorado returns home Saturday to host Cal Poly at 6 p.m. MT at Nottingham Field.
Tickets can be purchased through the UNC ticket office online at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849, or in person at the UNC ticket office during normal business hours.
Quarterback Club
The Quarterback Club plays a vital role in supporting the UNC Football program. By giving to the Quarterback Club, you help enhance the student-athlete experience, providing resources for team development, and ensuring the success of the Bears on and off the field. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference in the future of the program.
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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"I haven't gotten a lot of reps," Patterson said. "I can probably count on one hand the number of true team reps I've gotten in the last seven weeks."
He was the third quarterback in a room with two starters, and he spent seven weeks preparing for a moment that had no scheduled arrival. He took mental reps. He ran his own film regimen, one he built in a previous season when he was playing regularly. He never stopped preparing to be the starter.
"Every single week I was preparing to be the starter and preparing to play," Patterson said. "That's something that never changed, regardless of where I was."
Then, at Eastern Washington, with Brayten Silbor and Kenny Lueth both banged up and the Bears down 28-6 at halftime, head coach Ed Lamb called his number.
The Opportunity
Lamb said the decision was straightforward.
"We're just looking to give him an opportunity. The other two guys got banged up, and he ran with it," Lamb said. "I've said that for weeks. I don't know if people believe me. I've said we've got three that I think the whole team will rally around and believe we have a chance to win."
Patterson led a 17-play, 78-yard drive that consumed 9:29 of the third quarter, the most plays on a touchdown drive this season and the longest by time of possession. He finished it himself on a 1-yard run for his first rushing touchdown at UNC.
He was honest afterward about what the lack of reps cost him.
"I haven't been in the moment in practice for two months, not standing behind the offensive line and getting a pass rush," Patterson said. "I was sped up a few times during the game, and I need to be better. I will be better this next week."
The Six-Second Mindset
Patterson's framing of the game has become the team's language. Lamb said he heard it from Patterson and has used it since.
"The idea of going out there and competing for six seconds at a time and trying to win six seconds, bite-sized chunks," Lamb said. "That's what we need."
Patterson explained it himself.
"We're not trying to swing for home runs every play, but we need to win a six-second battle and continue to finish drives and score points with touchdowns," Patterson said. "It's like, go and beat somebody for six seconds, and then do it again. When you frame it that way, it makes it easier to wrap your mind around. You're not trying to win a whole game at once."
Lamb said that message was the same one he delivered before the game, and it held at halftime.
"I've been in locker rooms where the coaches came in after a half like that and you're so frustrated, and maybe what the players need is to be shaken up," Lamb said. "But they didn't need that, and we didn't offer that. Several people said, 'What'd you say at halftime?' Disappointingly, I think I can see in their eyes it was the same message I gave before the game. We did not start playing this game to have stressful Saturdays. Stop worrying about winning and losing. Start making plays."
A Room That Works
Patterson played at USC, then Northwest Mississippi Community College, then Indiana State before landing in Greeley for his final season. He came back closer to home so his family could see him play.
"I've been far from home the entirety of my college career," Patterson said. "Coming here, I was hopeful that my family could come to a lot more games and watch me as my career potentially comes to a close."
He said the three-quarterback arrangement is difficult to manage, and most places don't manage it well.
"As competitors, obviously everybody wants their opportunity and wants to play, and that's something you have to find balance in and have respect for your teammates," Patterson said. "There's no doubt in my mind that whoever's out there, the other guys want to see them succeed. That's the top priority, the success of the team. It's difficult to balance, and a lot of places haven't balanced as well as we have here."
He also confirmed a small piece of history from Saturday. His 8-yard touchdown catch from Jordan Herron was the first receiving touchdown of his career, and just the second catch he has ever made.
"I had a two-point conversion in high school off a similar play," Patterson said. "Other than that, I think that was my second catch ever."
What's Next
Northern Colorado returns home Saturday to host Cal Poly at 6 p.m. MT at Nottingham Field.
Tickets can be purchased through the UNC ticket office online at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849, or in person at the UNC ticket office during normal business hours.
Quarterback Club
The Quarterback Club plays a vital role in supporting the UNC Football program. By giving to the Quarterback Club, you help enhance the student-athlete experience, providing resources for team development, and ensuring the success of the Bears on and off the field. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference in the future of the program.
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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