University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, October 24
Davis, Calif.
5 p.m. MDT
University of Northern Colorado
at
UC Davis
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
10/23/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado travels on Saturday to face UC Davis at 5 p.m. MT, its first of two straight on the road.
The Bears are 3-5 overall and 2-3 in Big Sky play after a 28-18 win over Cal Poly. UC Davis is 5-2 and ranked No. 20 in the media poll and No. 21 in the coaches poll.
Scouting the Aggies
Head coach Ed Lamb described a UC Davis team built the same way it has been for years, and one the Bears have had trouble with.
"They're very explosive on offense. They're designed that way. They're very creative," Lamb said. "We've had a really difficult time stopping explosives this season on defense. So it's an area that we have to continue to improve."
Quarterback Treynor Cleeland has thrown for 1,715 yards and 14 touchdowns on 134-of-230 passing in seven games, averaging 245 yards per game. His top target is Samuel Gbatu Jr., who has 51 catches for 713 yards and five touchdowns.
The run game runs through Jordan Fisher, who has 750 yards on 107 carries for an average of seven yards per attempt, with eight rushing touchdowns. He has also caught 22 passes for 180 yards.
Defensively, Porter Connors leads the Aggies with 59 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks, and Brayden Rosa has 58 tackles with an interception.
"They're big and stout. They're very gap sound. They don't find a ton of weaknesses," Justin Guin said. "Their leading tackler is a safety, so everyone does their part. We just got to be on our P's and Q's and play our game."
Lamb also noted UC Davis is coming off a loss at Southern Utah and will be anxious to get back home.
"I think their mindset is going to be somewhat angry, anxious to get back home, where they tend to play really well," Lamb said. "They actually outgained Southern Utah, and some turnovers were the story."
Patterson's Second Start
Keegan Patterson is expected to make his second start at quarterback after throwing for 118 yards and a touchdown and running for 112 yards against Cal Poly.
"I think the more reps you get, the more confident you can be going into the game," Patterson said. "As far as mental headspace, I'm just as confident as I've been from the start and feel great about what we're doing and where we're headed as a team."
He said playing on the road does not change his routine.
"My regimen and my preparation are very similar, especially throughout the week," Patterson said. "I try to keep it as consistent as I possibly can, keep that sleep as consistent as I possibly can, and continue to diet and eat the same things going into the game."
Guin Leads the Room
Justin Guin set a career high with 128 yards on 12 carries against Cal Poly, and his 35-yard touchdown was the longest rushing score of the season for the Bears. The run before it was the one that got him going.
"I want to give everything to the O line. They were moving those guys up front, left and right, getting into the combos," Guin said. "Once I get to the second and third level, that's all on us as running backs. They make us look good, so we have to make them look good."
What's Left
Lamb has been careful not to let the three-game home streak change how the team approaches the season.
"The mantra has been to win humbly and to continue to find areas to get better," Lamb said. "Cal Poly exposed some things that we really need to be better at, and that's carried out through the week."
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT Saturday at UC Davis.
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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The Bears are 3-5 overall and 2-3 in Big Sky play after a 28-18 win over Cal Poly. UC Davis is 5-2 and ranked No. 20 in the media poll and No. 21 in the coaches poll.
Scouting the Aggies
Head coach Ed Lamb described a UC Davis team built the same way it has been for years, and one the Bears have had trouble with.
"They're very explosive on offense. They're designed that way. They're very creative," Lamb said. "We've had a really difficult time stopping explosives this season on defense. So it's an area that we have to continue to improve."
Quarterback Treynor Cleeland has thrown for 1,715 yards and 14 touchdowns on 134-of-230 passing in seven games, averaging 245 yards per game. His top target is Samuel Gbatu Jr., who has 51 catches for 713 yards and five touchdowns.
The run game runs through Jordan Fisher, who has 750 yards on 107 carries for an average of seven yards per attempt, with eight rushing touchdowns. He has also caught 22 passes for 180 yards.
Defensively, Porter Connors leads the Aggies with 59 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks, and Brayden Rosa has 58 tackles with an interception.
"They're big and stout. They're very gap sound. They don't find a ton of weaknesses," Justin Guin said. "Their leading tackler is a safety, so everyone does their part. We just got to be on our P's and Q's and play our game."
Lamb also noted UC Davis is coming off a loss at Southern Utah and will be anxious to get back home.
"I think their mindset is going to be somewhat angry, anxious to get back home, where they tend to play really well," Lamb said. "They actually outgained Southern Utah, and some turnovers were the story."
Patterson's Second Start
Keegan Patterson is expected to make his second start at quarterback after throwing for 118 yards and a touchdown and running for 112 yards against Cal Poly.
"I think the more reps you get, the more confident you can be going into the game," Patterson said. "As far as mental headspace, I'm just as confident as I've been from the start and feel great about what we're doing and where we're headed as a team."
He said playing on the road does not change his routine.
"My regimen and my preparation are very similar, especially throughout the week," Patterson said. "I try to keep it as consistent as I possibly can, keep that sleep as consistent as I possibly can, and continue to diet and eat the same things going into the game."
Guin Leads the Room
Justin Guin set a career high with 128 yards on 12 carries against Cal Poly, and his 35-yard touchdown was the longest rushing score of the season for the Bears. The run before it was the one that got him going.
"I want to give everything to the O line. They were moving those guys up front, left and right, getting into the combos," Guin said. "Once I get to the second and third level, that's all on us as running backs. They make us look good, so we have to make them look good."
What's Left
Lamb has been careful not to let the three-game home streak change how the team approaches the season.
"The mantra has been to win humbly and to continue to find areas to get better," Lamb said. "Cal Poly exposed some things that we really need to be better at, and that's carried out through the week."
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT Saturday at UC Davis.
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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Players Mentioned
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