University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, September 19
Greeley, Colo.
6 p.m. MDT
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Northeastern State
Bears Host Northeastern State in Home Return
9/18/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado returns to Nottingham Field on Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff against No. 13 Northeastern State, welcoming one of the top Division II programs in the country to Greeley as the Bears search for their first win of the season.
The RiverHawks are 3-0 for the first time since 1991 and carry a 10-game winning streak into Saturday, the longest active streak in Oklahoma college football and the second-longest in Division II. Northeastern State has been ranked by D2Football.com since the end of the 2025 season and remained at No. 13 for the second straight week after a 31-24 overtime win at Truman State.
"They're a very good football team, very capable, have speed and size all over the place, and it shows up in their record," head coach Ed Lamb said. "They're the very top of Division II, and I've told our players many times the very top of FCS can play in the FBS, and the very top of Division II can play in the FCS."
Lamb said the scouting report starts with the RiverHawks' quarterback and an offense that stretches defenses in every direction.
"They score a lot of points, set a lot of records over the last couple of years," Lamb said. "They've got a quarterback that throws the ball on time, stays out of trouble. They push the ball vertically and horizontally. They do a really nice job reading and connecting on their RPOs, and they're more of a vertical RPO team. They do some of the horizontal jets and gives and reverses that gave us some trouble, especially against South Dakota."
That horizontal element is a specific point of emphasis for the Bears after South Dakota created chunk plays on similar concepts. Lamb also praised Northeastern State's size up front, calling the RiverHawks "a big up front football team, even by Big Sky standards," with a large offensive line, a big tight end, dynamic running backs and a defense with size on the line and speed in the secondary.
"I think we have our work cut out for us, and I think the players have responded well to that," Lamb said. "I believe they recognize that, and they're excited about the work that we need to put in."
For the Bears, Saturday marks a return home after their first road trip of the season. Lamb said the familiarity of Nottingham Field and the local fan base matters for a roster built heavily from Colorado talent.
"Sleeping in their own bed at home, being in spaces and meeting rooms and practice fields that are familiar, having their friends and families at the game, it's a big one for us because we're so locally built," Lamb said. "A good number of our players have a significant number of family and friends at our games."
Defensive lineman Dominic Butts, a Severance native, said the return home is welcome after the trip to Laramie.
"Playing on the road last weekend was cool. It was a really cool environment, big stadium, but home's always great," Butts said. "You get to sleep in your own bed. You get to play under the lights. You get to play with your fans, your family in the crowd."
Butts said the defensive line turned a corner against Wyoming, getting home more consistently than in weeks past, a trend he credits in part to the return of Ezra Ekuban, who forced a fumbles and recorded a career-high three tackles for loss.
"Ezra coming back was a huge part of that," Butts said. "Forcing a fumbles was awesome by him. It was really exciting to see a guy like that that's been around here for so long have some great success in a big game like that. We've been working really hard, and it finally paid off."
Butts described Northeastern State as a capable, physical opponent with a big offensive line and playmakers on the outside.
"There's nothing that's necessarily new, but definitely respect is due," he said.
Lamb was careful not to treat the matchup as a chance to "take frustrations out" on an opponent. He pointed to last season's game against Chadron State as a lesson, a two-touchdown win that some fans viewed as disappointing until Chadron State went on to become one of the best Division II teams in the country.
"I'll use the Chadron State matchup for us last year as a great learning opportunity," Lamb said. "Chadron State turned into one of the best Division II teams in the country last year, and our guys earned a lot of respect for Division Two. I think that cumulative experience will help us in our preparation for this really quality Northeastern State team."
Lamb's message to his team has been consistent: respect every opponent, but bow to no program.
"The logo is not a known quantity," Lamb said. "Northeastern State is coming in here to make it a known quantity, to prove themselves. We've got to prepare for them with the knowledge that if we don't play well, they can win."
Saturday's kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Nottingham 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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The RiverHawks are 3-0 for the first time since 1991 and carry a 10-game winning streak into Saturday, the longest active streak in Oklahoma college football and the second-longest in Division II. Northeastern State has been ranked by D2Football.com since the end of the 2025 season and remained at No. 13 for the second straight week after a 31-24 overtime win at Truman State.
"They're a very good football team, very capable, have speed and size all over the place, and it shows up in their record," head coach Ed Lamb said. "They're the very top of Division II, and I've told our players many times the very top of FCS can play in the FBS, and the very top of Division II can play in the FCS."
Lamb said the scouting report starts with the RiverHawks' quarterback and an offense that stretches defenses in every direction.
"They score a lot of points, set a lot of records over the last couple of years," Lamb said. "They've got a quarterback that throws the ball on time, stays out of trouble. They push the ball vertically and horizontally. They do a really nice job reading and connecting on their RPOs, and they're more of a vertical RPO team. They do some of the horizontal jets and gives and reverses that gave us some trouble, especially against South Dakota."
That horizontal element is a specific point of emphasis for the Bears after South Dakota created chunk plays on similar concepts. Lamb also praised Northeastern State's size up front, calling the RiverHawks "a big up front football team, even by Big Sky standards," with a large offensive line, a big tight end, dynamic running backs and a defense with size on the line and speed in the secondary.
"I think we have our work cut out for us, and I think the players have responded well to that," Lamb said. "I believe they recognize that, and they're excited about the work that we need to put in."
For the Bears, Saturday marks a return home after their first road trip of the season. Lamb said the familiarity of Nottingham Field and the local fan base matters for a roster built heavily from Colorado talent.
"Sleeping in their own bed at home, being in spaces and meeting rooms and practice fields that are familiar, having their friends and families at the game, it's a big one for us because we're so locally built," Lamb said. "A good number of our players have a significant number of family and friends at our games."
Defensive lineman Dominic Butts, a Severance native, said the return home is welcome after the trip to Laramie.
"Playing on the road last weekend was cool. It was a really cool environment, big stadium, but home's always great," Butts said. "You get to sleep in your own bed. You get to play under the lights. You get to play with your fans, your family in the crowd."
Butts said the defensive line turned a corner against Wyoming, getting home more consistently than in weeks past, a trend he credits in part to the return of Ezra Ekuban, who forced a fumbles and recorded a career-high three tackles for loss.
"Ezra coming back was a huge part of that," Butts said. "Forcing a fumbles was awesome by him. It was really exciting to see a guy like that that's been around here for so long have some great success in a big game like that. We've been working really hard, and it finally paid off."
Butts described Northeastern State as a capable, physical opponent with a big offensive line and playmakers on the outside.
"There's nothing that's necessarily new, but definitely respect is due," he said.
Lamb was careful not to treat the matchup as a chance to "take frustrations out" on an opponent. He pointed to last season's game against Chadron State as a lesson, a two-touchdown win that some fans viewed as disappointing until Chadron State went on to become one of the best Division II teams in the country.
"I'll use the Chadron State matchup for us last year as a great learning opportunity," Lamb said. "Chadron State turned into one of the best Division II teams in the country last year, and our guys earned a lot of respect for Division Two. I think that cumulative experience will help us in our preparation for this really quality Northeastern State team."
Lamb's message to his team has been consistent: respect every opponent, but bow to no program.
"The logo is not a known quantity," Lamb said. "Northeastern State is coming in here to make it a known quantity, to prove themselves. We've got to prepare for them with the knowledge that if we don't play well, they can win."
Saturday's kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Nottingham 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.
Â
Players Mentioned
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