University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, October 10
Cheney, Wash.
5 p.m. MDT
University of Northern Colorado
at
Eastern Washington
Photo by: © Jesus" Jesuzzy" Ayala
Bears Chase History At Eastern Washington
10/9/2026 10:00:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado travels to Roos Field on Saturday for a 5 p.m. MT kickoff against Eastern Washington, as the Bears look to stay in the thick of the Big Sky race and end a streak that has followed the program for decades.
Northern Colorado is 2-4 overall and 1-2 in Big Sky play. Eastern Washington is 1-5 and 0-3 in conference.
The Series
Eastern Washington leads the all-time series 17-1 and has won sixteen straight, including all eight meetings in Cheney. The Bears are 0-15 against the Eagles in Division I history.
Lamb has not hidden it from his team.
"Any disrespect that we are getting, we can own," Lamb said. "We have not beaten the Eagles in the history of UNC Division I football."
Everything Runs Through Nate Bell
Lamb was direct about where the Eagles' offense starts.
"It all runs through Nate Bell. He's the leading rusher, the leading passer, very dynamic. He can do it all," Lamb said. "He throws the ball well, throws from the pocket, moves out of the pocket, scrambles, does designed quarterback runs. He makes the rest of the run game work because of the threat for him to add a plus one in numerous different ways."
Against UC Davis, Bell threw for 413 yards and three touchdowns on 39-of-58 passing while rushing for 107 yards and another score on 16 carries. Drew Carlson caught six passes for 95 yards in that game, and Bell connected with his brother, Jaxon Bell, on a 34-yard touchdown.
"They're the most versatile rush game offense that we've faced and are likely to face," Lamb said. "They have so many different things that they do, and they do them well. They're well coached, have a good offensive plan with a lot of variety."
The Eagles' Defense
Lamb said Eastern Washington's defense is more varied than its record suggests.
"They get guys down involved in the run quickly, they know how to get safeties involved, they play plenty of man coverage," Lamb said. "It's not that you can cut guys open and sit in zones all the time. They've worked through a lot of injuries and had guys step up and play really well."
He flagged the front as a particular concern.
"They've got one of the most physical, stout defensive fronts in the conference. They do a really nice job up front in the way that they're coached and the way that they play."
Special Teams Warning
Lamb called Eastern Washington's special teams the most aggressive unit the Bears will see.
"The directive from Coach Best has probably been, 'We want to be the most aggressive, creative special teams in the league or maybe in the country,'" Lamb said.
"They throw a lot of different looks at you. All of them sound and very aggressive. I think they've kicked three surprise onside kicks already this season. That's an incredibly high number."
The Quarterback
Brayten Silbor started at quarterback in practice this week, and Lamb said the job remains a daily competition.
"Brayten Silbor started at quarterback today for the Bears at practice," Lamb said. "That job is competed for every day. The guy who starts today is the guy who we anticipate will start on Saturday."
Both Silbor and Kenny Lueth have started and won this season. Lueth ran for 58 yards on six carries against Montana, including a 36-yard scramble, and scored twice on the ground.
Lamb said the depth in the room is what allows the Bears to let their quarterbacks run as physically as they do.
"We would not be playing the style that we're playing if we didn't know that at any given time we've got two more quarterbacks that we believe could lead us to victories," Lamb said.
A Third Straight Homecoming
Saturday marks the third consecutive week the Bears have been part of a homecoming celebration. Northern Colorado hosted its own on Sept. 26, a 37-13 win over Utah Tech, then traveled to Montana last week, and now heads to Eastern Washington.
Lamb was asked about walking into somebody else's homecoming on the road. He answered with how the other side thinks about it.
"When I think back to high school, we used to get real mad if somebody scheduled us for homecoming, almost like the other players had something to do with it," Lamb said. "As you get into college, you don't maybe think about that as much anymore. But it is a little bit of an indication of where teams think you are."
Playing Spoiler
Lamb said the streak is part of the story his players signed up for.
"Every game takes on its own story. Our players joined this program to be the catalyst to turn it around, and they're motivated by that," Lamb said. "Eastern Washington presents a tangible opportunity, a story to tell, because they've been so dominant over the Bears for so long."
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT at Roos 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.
Northern Colorado is 2-4 overall and 1-2 in Big Sky play. Eastern Washington is 1-5 and 0-3 in conference.
The Series
Eastern Washington leads the all-time series 17-1 and has won sixteen straight, including all eight meetings in Cheney. The Bears are 0-15 against the Eagles in Division I history.
Lamb has not hidden it from his team.
"Any disrespect that we are getting, we can own," Lamb said. "We have not beaten the Eagles in the history of UNC Division I football."
Everything Runs Through Nate Bell
Lamb was direct about where the Eagles' offense starts.
"It all runs through Nate Bell. He's the leading rusher, the leading passer, very dynamic. He can do it all," Lamb said. "He throws the ball well, throws from the pocket, moves out of the pocket, scrambles, does designed quarterback runs. He makes the rest of the run game work because of the threat for him to add a plus one in numerous different ways."
Against UC Davis, Bell threw for 413 yards and three touchdowns on 39-of-58 passing while rushing for 107 yards and another score on 16 carries. Drew Carlson caught six passes for 95 yards in that game, and Bell connected with his brother, Jaxon Bell, on a 34-yard touchdown.
"They're the most versatile rush game offense that we've faced and are likely to face," Lamb said. "They have so many different things that they do, and they do them well. They're well coached, have a good offensive plan with a lot of variety."
The Eagles' Defense
Lamb said Eastern Washington's defense is more varied than its record suggests.
"They get guys down involved in the run quickly, they know how to get safeties involved, they play plenty of man coverage," Lamb said. "It's not that you can cut guys open and sit in zones all the time. They've worked through a lot of injuries and had guys step up and play really well."
He flagged the front as a particular concern.
"They've got one of the most physical, stout defensive fronts in the conference. They do a really nice job up front in the way that they're coached and the way that they play."
Special Teams Warning
Lamb called Eastern Washington's special teams the most aggressive unit the Bears will see.
"The directive from Coach Best has probably been, 'We want to be the most aggressive, creative special teams in the league or maybe in the country,'" Lamb said.
"They throw a lot of different looks at you. All of them sound and very aggressive. I think they've kicked three surprise onside kicks already this season. That's an incredibly high number."
The Quarterback
Brayten Silbor started at quarterback in practice this week, and Lamb said the job remains a daily competition.
"Brayten Silbor started at quarterback today for the Bears at practice," Lamb said. "That job is competed for every day. The guy who starts today is the guy who we anticipate will start on Saturday."
Both Silbor and Kenny Lueth have started and won this season. Lueth ran for 58 yards on six carries against Montana, including a 36-yard scramble, and scored twice on the ground.
Lamb said the depth in the room is what allows the Bears to let their quarterbacks run as physically as they do.
"We would not be playing the style that we're playing if we didn't know that at any given time we've got two more quarterbacks that we believe could lead us to victories," Lamb said.
A Third Straight Homecoming
Saturday marks the third consecutive week the Bears have been part of a homecoming celebration. Northern Colorado hosted its own on Sept. 26, a 37-13 win over Utah Tech, then traveled to Montana last week, and now heads to Eastern Washington.
Lamb was asked about walking into somebody else's homecoming on the road. He answered with how the other side thinks about it.
"When I think back to high school, we used to get real mad if somebody scheduled us for homecoming, almost like the other players had something to do with it," Lamb said. "As you get into college, you don't maybe think about that as much anymore. But it is a little bit of an indication of where teams think you are."
Playing Spoiler
Lamb said the streak is part of the story his players signed up for.
"Every game takes on its own story. Our players joined this program to be the catalyst to turn it around, and they're motivated by that," Lamb said. "Eastern Washington presents a tangible opportunity, a story to tell, because they've been so dominant over the Bears for so long."
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT at Roos 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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