University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, September 26
Greeley, Colo.
6 p.m. MDT
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Utah Tech
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
Bears Host Utah Tech In Homecoming Night Game
9/25/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado returns to Nottingham Field on Saturday for its 6 p.m. Homecoming matchup against Utah Tech, looking to build on the program's first win of the season behind a new starting quarterback.
Head coach Ed Lamb confirmed this week that Brayten Silbor will start under center after leading the Bears to a 23-17 overtime victory over Northeastern State. Silbor threw for 206 yards and a touchdown in relief, then scrambled 18 yards in overtime to set up Justin Guin's game-winning run.
"We have felt like we have a 1A and 1B quarterback," Lamb said. "We had full confidence in Brayton. He has played before during the season, had some success, and when the battle is that close, guys need to be 100 percent."
Lamb said the decision came down to health as much as performance. Kenny Lueth was hobbled after the South Dakota game, and Lamb estimated he played at roughly 90 percent against Northeastern State.
"Had Kenny been out there limping and leading the team up and down the field and we were leading, we would not have been as likely to make a change at that point," Lamb said. "But Brayton finished the game with some momentum, won the game as the quarterback in that moment."
Lamb praised Lueth's response, calling him one of the team's most respected players and noting he was on the wristband and in the earpiece coaching Silbor through the final drives.
"Nobody understands that more clearly than Kenny. I'm not sure there was anybody more excited than Kenny," Lamb said. "That's the kind of leader he is. That's why they both will continue to be viewed by our team as starters."
Moving On From the Win
Lamb said the challenge this week has been making sure the Bears do not linger on the Northeastern State win. He framed it as a test of the team's maturity.
"We're going to find out if we're watching highlights, if we're accepting pats on the back, if we're checking stats from last game, checking social media, watching back ESPN+, or are we moving on to the next opponent," Lamb said. "I feel like making the prediction that our team is set on the next task at hand. But I think the game day evaluation of that is yet to come."
Running back Justin Guin, who scored the overtime winner, said the message landed.
"You enjoy it for the night. You come in the next day, we get through the mental errors, and then it's just one win," Guin said. "We use it as a steppingstone, but it's just one win. We have to keep improving, keep moving on."
He said the finish did something larger for the group's belief.
"We just needed to see one win when the buzzer goes off, and I think that's going to propel us as the season goes on," Guin said. "As different games get closer, we could look back and say we've done this before. We've been in this moment. Let's go and get this win."
Scouting Utah Tech
Lamb was emphatic that Utah Tech's 0-4 record is misleading. The Trailblazers have played four ranked opponents, including an FBS ranked team.
"Anyone who's watched the games can clearly see they could have had a schedule where they're 4-0," Lamb said. "Last week against ranked Northern Arizona, that was a one-score game late in the third quarter. That'll show you what Utah Tech is capable of. We are going to have to play well to win. If we don't play well, we will lose."
Guin said the Trailblazers' front seven will present a physical test.
"That defensive line, they're very strong and physical. The linebackers are going to be big and very downhill," Guin said. "I know they've had a very tough schedule, but each week they've gotten better and better."
Lamb also has a personal connection to the matchup, Utah Tech head coach Lance Anderson is a close friend from their time together at San Diego under Jim Harbaugh.
Conference Play Begins
Saturday's game begins Big Sky Conference play. Lamb said the stakes are straightforward.
"After this week, you'll either be tied for second or last," he said. "Two teams that are just fighting for life, scraping for relevancy, and I expect it to be a hard-fought battle."
Homecoming Under the Lights
The game will be played at night as part of the university's Homecoming celebration, the first time the Bears have hosted a Homecoming night game at Nottingham Field.
Lamb said the occasion carries weight for a program working to connect with its past.
"We've worked hard to try to build bridges to the past. That can be really difficult at a place like this that has kind of a divided football history," Lamb said. "I know they're more likely to be there, more likely to be paying attention. I think we have a team on the cusp, and I know we have a team that's ready to turn the corner."
His message to the crowd was simple.
"Got a team that won't quit. That's been apparent, and I think that's a really good theme for our campus community," Lamb said. "We're all in the same boat trying to build this thing, and we got a football team that represents that really well and will not quit."
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Saturday 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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Head coach Ed Lamb confirmed this week that Brayten Silbor will start under center after leading the Bears to a 23-17 overtime victory over Northeastern State. Silbor threw for 206 yards and a touchdown in relief, then scrambled 18 yards in overtime to set up Justin Guin's game-winning run.
"We have felt like we have a 1A and 1B quarterback," Lamb said. "We had full confidence in Brayton. He has played before during the season, had some success, and when the battle is that close, guys need to be 100 percent."
Lamb said the decision came down to health as much as performance. Kenny Lueth was hobbled after the South Dakota game, and Lamb estimated he played at roughly 90 percent against Northeastern State.
"Had Kenny been out there limping and leading the team up and down the field and we were leading, we would not have been as likely to make a change at that point," Lamb said. "But Brayton finished the game with some momentum, won the game as the quarterback in that moment."
Lamb praised Lueth's response, calling him one of the team's most respected players and noting he was on the wristband and in the earpiece coaching Silbor through the final drives.
"Nobody understands that more clearly than Kenny. I'm not sure there was anybody more excited than Kenny," Lamb said. "That's the kind of leader he is. That's why they both will continue to be viewed by our team as starters."
Moving On From the Win
Lamb said the challenge this week has been making sure the Bears do not linger on the Northeastern State win. He framed it as a test of the team's maturity.
"We're going to find out if we're watching highlights, if we're accepting pats on the back, if we're checking stats from last game, checking social media, watching back ESPN+, or are we moving on to the next opponent," Lamb said. "I feel like making the prediction that our team is set on the next task at hand. But I think the game day evaluation of that is yet to come."
Running back Justin Guin, who scored the overtime winner, said the message landed.
"You enjoy it for the night. You come in the next day, we get through the mental errors, and then it's just one win," Guin said. "We use it as a steppingstone, but it's just one win. We have to keep improving, keep moving on."
He said the finish did something larger for the group's belief.
"We just needed to see one win when the buzzer goes off, and I think that's going to propel us as the season goes on," Guin said. "As different games get closer, we could look back and say we've done this before. We've been in this moment. Let's go and get this win."
Scouting Utah Tech
Lamb was emphatic that Utah Tech's 0-4 record is misleading. The Trailblazers have played four ranked opponents, including an FBS ranked team.
"Anyone who's watched the games can clearly see they could have had a schedule where they're 4-0," Lamb said. "Last week against ranked Northern Arizona, that was a one-score game late in the third quarter. That'll show you what Utah Tech is capable of. We are going to have to play well to win. If we don't play well, we will lose."
Guin said the Trailblazers' front seven will present a physical test.
"That defensive line, they're very strong and physical. The linebackers are going to be big and very downhill," Guin said. "I know they've had a very tough schedule, but each week they've gotten better and better."
Lamb also has a personal connection to the matchup, Utah Tech head coach Lance Anderson is a close friend from their time together at San Diego under Jim Harbaugh.
Conference Play Begins
Saturday's game begins Big Sky Conference play. Lamb said the stakes are straightforward.
"After this week, you'll either be tied for second or last," he said. "Two teams that are just fighting for life, scraping for relevancy, and I expect it to be a hard-fought battle."
Homecoming Under the Lights
The game will be played at night as part of the university's Homecoming celebration, the first time the Bears have hosted a Homecoming night game at Nottingham Field.
Lamb said the occasion carries weight for a program working to connect with its past.
"We've worked hard to try to build bridges to the past. That can be really difficult at a place like this that has kind of a divided football history," Lamb said. "I know they're more likely to be there, more likely to be paying attention. I think we have a team on the cusp, and I know we have a team that's ready to turn the corner."
His message to the crowd was simple.
"Got a team that won't quit. That's been apparent, and I think that's a really good theme for our campus community," Lamb said. "We're all in the same boat trying to build this thing, and we got a football team that represents that really well and will not quit."
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Saturday 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
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 05
Saturday, August 29
Tuesday, December 23
