University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
Bears Carry a Chip Into Eastern Washington
10/6/2026 10:18:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado did not come back from Missoula looking for moral victories.
The Bears lost 36-14 at No. 3 Montana in front of 27,131 fans, the third-largest crowd in Washington-Grizzly Stadium history, and the players who spoke this week were blunt about what they saw on film.
"We're a lot better team than we played on Saturday," linebacker Hudson Voggesser said. "Lots of mistakes. I think we just weren't playing with confidence like we usually do. We were just really disappointed in ourselves."
That disappointment has turned into something the Bears are carrying into Saturday's road trip to Eastern Washington.
"We have a chip on our shoulder," Voggesser said. "We're excited to do our best this next weekend."
Playing Reserved
Voggesser was asked directly whether tackling was the primary issue against the Grizzlies. He said no.
"I think there were some plays where we needed a big tackle and we didn't make that tackle, but I don't think it was the main issue," he said. "The main issue was playing with confidence and believing that we can compete with Montana. I think we played reserved and not at our best ability, and I think that kind of showed in our tackling a little more tentative in trying to make those plays."
That assessment lines up with what head coach Ed Lamb said after reviewing the film. Lamb broke a program down into four components: tactical, technical, physical and mental, and said the mental piece is the one he underestimated.
"There were some big moments where we turned it down, where we didn't have the confidence to make the play," Lamb said. "I did not think we were mentally prepared for that moment, and I didn't know that coming out of the game until I watched the film."
Voggesser said the fix starts with the details that slipped.
"Just coming in this week, focusing on the little things like shape of the defense, breaking down, having good eyes, having good fundamentals," he said. "That's huge. On some of those plays, there were breakdowns in those fundamentals."
"We're at That Level Too"
Lamb said the film showed him the physical gap between Northern Colorado and the top of the FCS has closed. Voggesser reached the same conclusion on his own.
"Obviously they're a great program and they have been for a while, and it does make it tougher to tackle and block when there's better players," Voggesser said. "But I think we're at that level too. We can play that well as well."
Defensive back Marquis Jamison said the environment was a factor without excusing the result.
"Obviously the atmosphere, that's probably the most fans a lot of us have ever played in front of, so that plays a big role in it," Jamison said. "They were very prepared for us, and they prepared very well."
Moving On
Both players said the approach this week doesn't change because of the loss.
"We always say we're going to take all the wins and losses the same," Jamison said. "We're not going to act differently just because we won or because we lost. We have to come out next week more prepared, and I feel like this week we're coming with more of a chip on our shoulder. We're all pissed off, so I feel like we're all going to be extra locked in for practice."
Voggesser struck the same note, with an eye on what the Bears still believe is ahead of them.
"They're a capable team, and we still believe that we're capable of beating them as well," he said. "We have a chip on our shoulders. We're excited to do our best against Eastern Washington."
Northern Colorado (2-4, 1-2 Big Sky) travels to Eastern Washington on Saturday for a 5 p.m. MT kickoff.
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 lost 36-14 at No. 3 Montana in front of 27,131 fans, the third-largest crowd in Washington-Grizzly Stadium history, and the players who spoke this week were blunt about what they saw on film.
"We're a lot better team than we played on Saturday," linebacker Hudson Voggesser said. "Lots of mistakes. I think we just weren't playing with confidence like we usually do. We were just really disappointed in ourselves."
That disappointment has turned into something the Bears are carrying into Saturday's road trip to Eastern Washington.
"We have a chip on our shoulder," Voggesser said. "We're excited to do our best this next weekend."
Playing Reserved
Voggesser was asked directly whether tackling was the primary issue against the Grizzlies. He said no.
"I think there were some plays where we needed a big tackle and we didn't make that tackle, but I don't think it was the main issue," he said. "The main issue was playing with confidence and believing that we can compete with Montana. I think we played reserved and not at our best ability, and I think that kind of showed in our tackling a little more tentative in trying to make those plays."
That assessment lines up with what head coach Ed Lamb said after reviewing the film. Lamb broke a program down into four components: tactical, technical, physical and mental, and said the mental piece is the one he underestimated.
"There were some big moments where we turned it down, where we didn't have the confidence to make the play," Lamb said. "I did not think we were mentally prepared for that moment, and I didn't know that coming out of the game until I watched the film."
Voggesser said the fix starts with the details that slipped.
"Just coming in this week, focusing on the little things like shape of the defense, breaking down, having good eyes, having good fundamentals," he said. "That's huge. On some of those plays, there were breakdowns in those fundamentals."
"We're at That Level Too"
Lamb said the film showed him the physical gap between Northern Colorado and the top of the FCS has closed. Voggesser reached the same conclusion on his own.
"Obviously they're a great program and they have been for a while, and it does make it tougher to tackle and block when there's better players," Voggesser said. "But I think we're at that level too. We can play that well as well."
Defensive back Marquis Jamison said the environment was a factor without excusing the result.
"Obviously the atmosphere, that's probably the most fans a lot of us have ever played in front of, so that plays a big role in it," Jamison said. "They were very prepared for us, and they prepared very well."
Moving On
Both players said the approach this week doesn't change because of the loss.
"We always say we're going to take all the wins and losses the same," Jamison said. "We're not going to act differently just because we won or because we lost. We have to come out next week more prepared, and I feel like this week we're coming with more of a chip on our shoulder. We're all pissed off, so I feel like we're all going to be extra locked in for practice."
Voggesser struck the same note, with an eye on what the Bears still believe is ahead of them.
"They're a capable team, and we still believe that we're capable of beating them as well," he said. "We have a chip on our shoulders. We're excited to do our best against Eastern Washington."
Northern Colorado (2-4, 1-2 Big Sky) travels to Eastern Washington on Saturday for a 5 p.m. MT kickoff.
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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