University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Bears Embrace Road Trip as Chance to Reset, Bond
9/10/2026 1:11:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado season did not start as the team wanted, but if you spend any time around the Bears this week, you would not know it.
The mood inside the program has been upbeat, focused and, according to those inside the locker room, more united than it has been in years. As the Bears prepare to board the bus for Laramie and Saturday's matchup with Wyoming, they are treating the road trip less like a burden and more like an opportunity, a chance to get away together, reset after two close losses and find the consistency that has been elusive.
"I think it's going to be awesome to finally come together and have an away game," wide receiver Trey Olsen said. "We played amazing on the road last year. When we're together, just with those team meals, those bus rides, we love it."
That sentiment has been echoed throughout the week. Head coach Ed Lamb, now in his fourth year at Northern Colorado, said he intentionally wanted a road trip at this point in the season. After two emotional home games, a last-second loss to Weber State and a competitive showing against No. 11 South Dakota – he believes time away from Greeley could be exactly what his team needs.
"I think a road trip at this point might be the kind of reset and an opportunity to really spend some time together," Lamb said. "I'm glad it's a bus trip. We're going to find out as this season progresses who's still in there, and I thought last week was a great indication that there are a lot of guys that are still in there, and there can be some great things accomplished this year."
The Bears have shown flashes through two games. They rallied from a late deficit against Weber State before falling on a final-play field goal. They cut South Dakota's lead to four points in the third quarter before special teams breakdowns changed the momentum. In both games, Northern Colorado was competitive against quality opponents. In neither did it finish.
Linebacker KJ Smedley, one of the team's captains, said the difference this year is that the Bears are not allowing those moments to fracture them.
"I feel like this team is just so united and together," Smedley said. "Not one game is going to affect us, one play. You guys saw us in the game, we battled the whole way. Even towards the end when it might have been thought that we weren't able to win, we're all sticking together through this thing."
That resilience has been tested. After the Weber State loss, Lamb admitted he was unsure how the team would respond. He watched the sideline against South Dakota and saw something different – players supporting each other, guys who were not playing staying engaged, a collective belief that the result did not define them.
"I felt that tonight, so I'm not as concerned about that," Lamb said after the South Dakota game. "I think we're going to have a team that's going to keep fighting, and I just don't feel like this loss is going to break them. We have a tough-minded football team right now."
The road has been good to Northern Colorado before. The Bears won multiple road games last season, including a signature victory at Idaho State that showed what the program could look like when everything clicked.
For quarterback Kenny Lueth, the road trip is another opportunity to build on a solid start. The first-year starter has completed 64 percent of his passes through two games and has shown a knack for extending plays with his legs. But he has also taken a physical beating – Lamb pulled him late against South Dakota to protect him from further punishment – and the Bears will need him healthy and sharp against a Wyoming defense that was physical in its opener.
"I feel good," Lueth said. "It was nice to get the couple days off to start the week and then get back to work. Excited for this week."
The Bears will also bring a significant Colorado contingent. Lamb has made recruiting in-state a priority, and the roster is filled with players who grew up playing with and against each other. That local connection has created a bond that players say is different from past seasons.
"Oh man, it's incredible!" Smedley said. "Each year, even from the beginning, I got to play against these people in high school, and now we're here trying to change the story of Greeley. That's our goal – to change it, leave a legacy here."
Wyoming is a Mountain West opponent with a strong home-field advantage, and Northern Colorado is still searching for its first win. But the Bears believe they are closer than the record suggests, and they see the road trip as a chance to prove it – not just to the outside world, but to themselves.
"We're going to figure it out," Smedley said, "and we're going to keep on attacking this thing."
Saturday's kickoff at Jonah Field War Memorial Stadium is set for 2 p.m. MT and will be streamed on MW+.
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, provide resources for team development and support the continued 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, visit the official homepage at UNCBears.com. Follow the football team on Instagram, X and Facebook.
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The mood inside the program has been upbeat, focused and, according to those inside the locker room, more united than it has been in years. As the Bears prepare to board the bus for Laramie and Saturday's matchup with Wyoming, they are treating the road trip less like a burden and more like an opportunity, a chance to get away together, reset after two close losses and find the consistency that has been elusive.
"I think it's going to be awesome to finally come together and have an away game," wide receiver Trey Olsen said. "We played amazing on the road last year. When we're together, just with those team meals, those bus rides, we love it."
That sentiment has been echoed throughout the week. Head coach Ed Lamb, now in his fourth year at Northern Colorado, said he intentionally wanted a road trip at this point in the season. After two emotional home games, a last-second loss to Weber State and a competitive showing against No. 11 South Dakota – he believes time away from Greeley could be exactly what his team needs.
"I think a road trip at this point might be the kind of reset and an opportunity to really spend some time together," Lamb said. "I'm glad it's a bus trip. We're going to find out as this season progresses who's still in there, and I thought last week was a great indication that there are a lot of guys that are still in there, and there can be some great things accomplished this year."
The Bears have shown flashes through two games. They rallied from a late deficit against Weber State before falling on a final-play field goal. They cut South Dakota's lead to four points in the third quarter before special teams breakdowns changed the momentum. In both games, Northern Colorado was competitive against quality opponents. In neither did it finish.
Linebacker KJ Smedley, one of the team's captains, said the difference this year is that the Bears are not allowing those moments to fracture them.
"I feel like this team is just so united and together," Smedley said. "Not one game is going to affect us, one play. You guys saw us in the game, we battled the whole way. Even towards the end when it might have been thought that we weren't able to win, we're all sticking together through this thing."
That resilience has been tested. After the Weber State loss, Lamb admitted he was unsure how the team would respond. He watched the sideline against South Dakota and saw something different – players supporting each other, guys who were not playing staying engaged, a collective belief that the result did not define them.
"I felt that tonight, so I'm not as concerned about that," Lamb said after the South Dakota game. "I think we're going to have a team that's going to keep fighting, and I just don't feel like this loss is going to break them. We have a tough-minded football team right now."
The road has been good to Northern Colorado before. The Bears won multiple road games last season, including a signature victory at Idaho State that showed what the program could look like when everything clicked.
For quarterback Kenny Lueth, the road trip is another opportunity to build on a solid start. The first-year starter has completed 64 percent of his passes through two games and has shown a knack for extending plays with his legs. But he has also taken a physical beating – Lamb pulled him late against South Dakota to protect him from further punishment – and the Bears will need him healthy and sharp against a Wyoming defense that was physical in its opener.
"I feel good," Lueth said. "It was nice to get the couple days off to start the week and then get back to work. Excited for this week."
The Bears will also bring a significant Colorado contingent. Lamb has made recruiting in-state a priority, and the roster is filled with players who grew up playing with and against each other. That local connection has created a bond that players say is different from past seasons.
"Oh man, it's incredible!" Smedley said. "Each year, even from the beginning, I got to play against these people in high school, and now we're here trying to change the story of Greeley. That's our goal – to change it, leave a legacy here."
Wyoming is a Mountain West opponent with a strong home-field advantage, and Northern Colorado is still searching for its first win. But the Bears believe they are closer than the record suggests, and they see the road trip as a chance to prove it – not just to the outside world, but to themselves.
"We're going to figure it out," Smedley said, "and we're going to keep on attacking this thing."
Saturday's kickoff at Jonah Field War Memorial Stadium is set for 2 p.m. MT and will be streamed on MW+.
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, provide resources for team development and support the continued 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, visit 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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