Bears' Comeback Attempt Comes Up Just Short in Historic Home Opener

Friday, August 28

Greeley, Colo.

7 p.m. MDT

University of Northern Colorado

0-1 , 0-1

Weber State

1-0 , 1-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Weber St.	3	14	6	7	30
Northern Colo.	7	6	0	16	29

Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics

8/29/2026 12:46:00 AM | Football

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By: Aiden Tank, Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. - Northern Colorado's comeback attempt came up just short Friday night, as the Bears fell 30-29 to Weber State in a dramatic 2026 season opener at Nottingham Field.

In the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams, the Bears battled back against Weber State (1-0, 1-0) from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and scored with three seconds remaining, but a blocked extra point on the potential game-tying try preserved the one-point win for the Wildcats. Northern Colorado (0-1, 0-1) was playing in the first night game in Nottingham Field history.

Northern Colorado turned in one of its strongest offensive performances under head coach Ed Lamb, outgaining Weber State 485-370, rushing for 259 yards, converting 8-of-15 third downs, and finishing without a turnover.

"If somebody told me we would rush for 259 yards, have 485 total yards of offense against their 369, convert better than 50 percent on third down, hold them to 4-of-11 on third down, and go 1-for-1 on fourth down, I'd say we come away with a victory every time," Lamb said. "But the other stats matter too, and field goals and PATs are important."

Making his first career start, quarterback Kenny Lueth helped lead the late push for the Bears. Lueth completed 20 of 33 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown while adding 90 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in an all-around effort.

"I'm really excited about his future," Lamb said. "I'm super pleased with his leadership and his performance today. His completion percentage was good, and you saw his gamesmanship - his clutch ability to take the ball down the field."

Northern Colorado opened the scoring late in the first quarter when Mathias Price broke free for a 31-yard touchdown run, giving the Bears a 7-3 lead. Weber State answered in the second quarter with two touchdown passes from Devin Brown to Noah Kjar, but the Bears stayed within reach when Lueth scored on a 2-yard run to make it 17-13 at halftime.

The Wildcats stretched the lead to 23-13 with a pair of third-quarter field goals before Northern Colorado answered again early in the fourth. Lueth capped a 65-yard drive with his second 2-yard rushing touchdown of the night, pulling the Bears within 23-20.

Weber State responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Mapa Vaenuku to move back in front by 10, but Northern Colorado kept pushing. Benson Ashley connected on a 23-yard field goal with 4:02 to play, and the Bears' defense came up with a late stop to give the offense one final opportunity.

"When you have to get a stop or lose, then get a score or lose, and you do both back to back, that's a team that still has fight," Lamb said.

Lueth then led Northern Colorado on a 15-play, 80-yard drive in the final minutes, ending with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Trey Olsen with three seconds left. The Bears' game-tying extra point attempt was blocked, ending the comeback one point shy.

On the final touchdown, Lamb said Lueth and Olsen delivered in a critical moment.

"Kenny did a nice job of putting it there," Lamb said. "Trey did a nice job of adjusting on the fly, went up with two hands, and got his feet down. It was a tremendous catch."

Lueth said the Bears believed they had the momentum to finish the rally.

"I was just thinking, let's keep rolling - let's go to overtime," Lueth said. "I think we kind of had them right where we wanted them. Things didn't play out the way we hoped, but we gave ourselves a chance."

Price paced the Bears on the ground with 106 rushing yards and one touchdown on 17 carries, while Marcus Mozer led the receiving corps with six catches for 70 yards. Olsen added three receptions for 44 yards and the late score.

Defensively, Franky Morales led Northern Colorado with seven tackles and an interception, while Blake Weslin added five tackles. Dominic Butts, Hudson Voggesser and KJ Smedley each contributed tackles for loss.

Morales said the defense stayed aggressive in the closing moments.

"We didn't go out there timid," Morales said. "We went out there knowing we were going to get the stop and get the ball back to the offense so they could go score and hopefully win the game."

Lamb also credited the atmosphere created by the home crowd in the historic opener. With an attendance of 5,715, this was the most attended game since 2021.

"It was the very best environment I've been a part of," Lamb said. "We've not had a crowd like that or fan interaction like we had tonight. They were really into the game."

Up Next
Northern Colorado returns to Nottingham Field next Saturday to host South Dakota at 6 p.m.

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