University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, September 12
Laramie, Wyo.
2 p.m. MDT
University of Northern Colorado
at
Wyoming
Bears Look to Turn Progress into First Win at Wyoming
9/11/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo.  – Northern Colorado returns to the field, for the first time on the road against Wyoming.
The Bears will make the trip north to Laramie for the first time in the Lamb era, facing a Mountain West opponent that presents a new kind of test for a program still searching for its first win of the season.
Northern Colorado faces Wyoming at 2 p.m. MT on MW+, coming off two competitive losses that have left the Bears encouraged but unsatisfied. Head coach Ed Lamb believes his team is capable of getting over the hump. Now it has to happen.
"I think we have the most capable players to be a national level football team that we've ever had," Lamb said. "We have players that can score on anybody. We have players that can tackle anybody. We have an offensive and defensive line that can block people and get off blocks. We feel like we could go out against any team and run things that we've put on film before and stand toe to toe with any team out there."
The Offense: Efficiency Meets Explosiveness
Quarterback Kenny Lueth has given the Bears steady play through two games, completing 43 of 67 passes for 427 yards and two touchdowns while adding 122 rushing yards and two scores. The offense has moved the ball – Northern Colorado totaled 377 yards against No. 11 South Dakota – but has struggled to turn long drives into touchdowns.
The issue, Lueth said, is finishing one-on-one matchups.
"I think it just comes down to winning our one-on-ones, whether that's a receiver or running back or me running the ball," Lueth said. "We just got to win those when they're there. We can take care of the other 10, but at the end of the day, it comes down to winning that one-on-one, and I feel like we can do that."
Wide receiver Trey Olsen has been one of the few Bears consistently winning his matchups. The Wyoming transfer has caught a touchdown pass in each of the first two games since moving back to receiver, and his chemistry with Lueth – forged during a spring semester as roommates – has become one of the offense's most reliable connections.
"Trey was actually my roommate this past spring," Lueth said. "We got really close and have really grown our bond. He's such a gifted athlete, and we just want to keep taking advantage of those opportunities when we can get him the ball."
Lamb said the offense has been efficient – the Bears rank among the national leaders in third-down conversion – but needs more explosive plays to become a complete unit.
"High reward plays generally come with higher risk, and it's something that we definitely are looking at," Lamb said. "We are playing at an elite level of third down conversion. Part of that has to do with efficiency and staying out of extra-long yardage situations. We are not turning the ball over. That's a strength, and so I think we want to strike the right balance."
The Defense: Communication and Eyes
The Bears' defense has shown it can be physical at the point of attack. The secondary, however, has been vulnerable to big plays – an issue that cost Northern Colorado against both Weber State and South Dakota.
Linebacker KJ Smedley said the defensive focus this week has been simple: communicate better, execute assignments, and pursue the ball as a unit.
"Our defensive focus this week is communication, especially at the linebacker position," Smedley said. "We want to be elite communicators, and obviously the execution piece has been huge. And then always on our defense, we want 11 guys pursuing to the ball."
Smedley has been one of the vocal leaders of a defense that has battled despite the early struggles. He said the Bears are not making excuses.
"I think as a whole defense, we need to execute the scheme," Smedley said. "The game isn't played by the coaches; it's played by us. So it's up to us to execute the scheme. They put us in the right position, and we didn't play with good enough eyes."
Wyoming's offense will test that discipline. Quarterback Tyler Hughes completed over 60 percent of his passes in his debut against Colorado State and added 52 rushing yards and a touchdown. Running back Samuel Harris returned from injury to rush for 63 yards, and the Cowboys finished with eight chunk plays of 10 or more yards.
Special Teams: Cleaning Up the Details
Northern Colorado improved its PAT and field goal protection against South Dakota after struggling in the opener, but a blocked punt proved costly. Lamb said the Bears have emphasized special teams detail this week, knowing that hidden yardage could swing a tight game.
Wyoming kicker Erik Sandvik connected from 37 and 48 yards against Colorado State, with the latter a career long, giving the Cowboys a reliable special teams weapon.
The Stakes
For Northern Colorado, this is about more than a win. It is about proving that the progress of the first two games was real – that the Bears can clean up the mistakes, finish drives, and play four quarters of winning football against an FBS opponent on the road.
Lamb has seen the signs. He has watched his team stay together through adversity, fight to the end of both games, and maintain belief where past teams might have fractured. Now he wants to see it translate into a result.
"We're finding it," Lamb said this week. "It being the elusive way to put together a full game of winning efforts, offense, defense and special teams. I thought [practice] was a great step in the right direction."
The Bears will find out Saturday if that step leads somewhere.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. MT at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium 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.
The Bears will make the trip north to Laramie for the first time in the Lamb era, facing a Mountain West opponent that presents a new kind of test for a program still searching for its first win of the season.
Northern Colorado faces Wyoming at 2 p.m. MT on MW+, coming off two competitive losses that have left the Bears encouraged but unsatisfied. Head coach Ed Lamb believes his team is capable of getting over the hump. Now it has to happen.
"I think we have the most capable players to be a national level football team that we've ever had," Lamb said. "We have players that can score on anybody. We have players that can tackle anybody. We have an offensive and defensive line that can block people and get off blocks. We feel like we could go out against any team and run things that we've put on film before and stand toe to toe with any team out there."
The Offense: Efficiency Meets Explosiveness
Quarterback Kenny Lueth has given the Bears steady play through two games, completing 43 of 67 passes for 427 yards and two touchdowns while adding 122 rushing yards and two scores. The offense has moved the ball – Northern Colorado totaled 377 yards against No. 11 South Dakota – but has struggled to turn long drives into touchdowns.
The issue, Lueth said, is finishing one-on-one matchups.
"I think it just comes down to winning our one-on-ones, whether that's a receiver or running back or me running the ball," Lueth said. "We just got to win those when they're there. We can take care of the other 10, but at the end of the day, it comes down to winning that one-on-one, and I feel like we can do that."
Wide receiver Trey Olsen has been one of the few Bears consistently winning his matchups. The Wyoming transfer has caught a touchdown pass in each of the first two games since moving back to receiver, and his chemistry with Lueth – forged during a spring semester as roommates – has become one of the offense's most reliable connections.
"Trey was actually my roommate this past spring," Lueth said. "We got really close and have really grown our bond. He's such a gifted athlete, and we just want to keep taking advantage of those opportunities when we can get him the ball."
Lamb said the offense has been efficient – the Bears rank among the national leaders in third-down conversion – but needs more explosive plays to become a complete unit.
"High reward plays generally come with higher risk, and it's something that we definitely are looking at," Lamb said. "We are playing at an elite level of third down conversion. Part of that has to do with efficiency and staying out of extra-long yardage situations. We are not turning the ball over. That's a strength, and so I think we want to strike the right balance."
The Defense: Communication and Eyes
The Bears' defense has shown it can be physical at the point of attack. The secondary, however, has been vulnerable to big plays – an issue that cost Northern Colorado against both Weber State and South Dakota.
Linebacker KJ Smedley said the defensive focus this week has been simple: communicate better, execute assignments, and pursue the ball as a unit.
"Our defensive focus this week is communication, especially at the linebacker position," Smedley said. "We want to be elite communicators, and obviously the execution piece has been huge. And then always on our defense, we want 11 guys pursuing to the ball."
Smedley has been one of the vocal leaders of a defense that has battled despite the early struggles. He said the Bears are not making excuses.
"I think as a whole defense, we need to execute the scheme," Smedley said. "The game isn't played by the coaches; it's played by us. So it's up to us to execute the scheme. They put us in the right position, and we didn't play with good enough eyes."
Wyoming's offense will test that discipline. Quarterback Tyler Hughes completed over 60 percent of his passes in his debut against Colorado State and added 52 rushing yards and a touchdown. Running back Samuel Harris returned from injury to rush for 63 yards, and the Cowboys finished with eight chunk plays of 10 or more yards.
Special Teams: Cleaning Up the Details
Northern Colorado improved its PAT and field goal protection against South Dakota after struggling in the opener, but a blocked punt proved costly. Lamb said the Bears have emphasized special teams detail this week, knowing that hidden yardage could swing a tight game.
Wyoming kicker Erik Sandvik connected from 37 and 48 yards against Colorado State, with the latter a career long, giving the Cowboys a reliable special teams weapon.
The Stakes
For Northern Colorado, this is about more than a win. It is about proving that the progress of the first two games was real – that the Bears can clean up the mistakes, finish drives, and play four quarters of winning football against an FBS opponent on the road.
Lamb has seen the signs. He has watched his team stay together through adversity, fight to the end of both games, and maintain belief where past teams might have fractured. Now he wants to see it translate into a result.
"We're finding it," Lamb said this week. "It being the elusive way to put together a full game of winning efforts, offense, defense and special teams. I thought [practice] was a great step in the right direction."
The Bears will find out Saturday if that step leads somewhere.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. MT at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium 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.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, September 05
Saturday, August 29
Tuesday, December 23
Tuesday, December 23
