University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Ziebell's Return: Center Battles Back from Injury, Anchors Line Ahead of No. 3 Montana
9/29/2026 1:15:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Jack Ziebell had never done it before. In a career that started when he was five years old, he had never entered a game off the bench.
So when the senior center trotted onto the field in the second quarter at Northeastern State, cleared to play after weeks of rehab, suiting up in case the Bears needed somebody, it felt strange in a way he hadn't anticipated.
"I think it's the first time in my career I've come in not at the start of the game," Ziebell said. "That was definitely an interesting thing, but it was still fun to be out there with the team."
A week later, he was back in his familiar spot, starting at center in the Bears' 37-13 Homecoming win over Utah Tech.
The Injury
Ziebell describes the injury the way the training staff did: turf toe, a catch-all term for something wrong in his foot. What mattered more than the diagnosis was the timeline. Based on what he was initially told, he didn't expect to be back until later.
"The trainers told me I got turf toe in my toe, so that is a cover-all term as I understand it," Ziebell said. "It's just something wrong with part of my foot."
The weeks away were difficult in a way that went beyond the physical.
"Whenever you don't get to be out there playing the game that you love with the people that you care about a lot, it's really hard, and it feels like some part of you is missing," he said. "Just watching from the sidelines, trying to coach other people up, but just not being able to be out there."
He credited Northern Colorado's sports medicine staff for getting him back ahead of schedule.
"We have really good support staff here. One of the reasons I love UNC so much is not just the coaches and the players, but everyone surrounding us," Ziebell said. "They've worked really hard to get me back into a place where I can play. When they said I was full go and could take a shot at it, it worked out pretty well for me."
Contributing From the Sideline
Ziebell has played football since he was five, and he said the experience of being injured was not new, just no easier for the familiarity.
Rather than step back, he found ways to contribute. He pointed specifically to Colton Patterson, who filled in at center during his absence.
"Being able to help people with looks that I may have seen that haven't come up yet, or just different techniques that I try to use, helping especially Colton. I think he played a great job while I was out," Ziebell said. "Just being able to try to be there for him as much as he needed me, and then everybody else on the team. I take pride in being someone that they can always come up and talk to, no matter what I'm doing. Any football questions, any life questions, I try to be there for all my guys."
A Complete Game Up Front
Ziebell returned to a line that turned in one of its best performances of the season in the win over Utah Tech. The Bears rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry, while allowing no sacks.
"I have a lot of confidence in my offensive linemen," Ziebell said. "I think we have a really good group of guys, top to bottom, in our depth chart. The fact that we could go out there and help protect and help run the ball efficiently really shows the testament to the guys that get to get in the game and play."
He was measured about the performance, though.
"We definitely played well, but there's always things that we can improve on," Ziebell said. "Everyone still had lots of notes, lots of ways to improve to where it's even more dominant up front."
The Team's Turn
Ziebell said the two-game winning streak has been built on something more durable than momentum. He pointed to buy-in and resolve that predate the wins.
"A lot of what has made us successful over these last couple weeks is that we've had a high level of buy-in and a high level of resolve through the time that I've been here," Ziebell said. "That's what allowed us to come back these last couple weeks and show that we can compete and win football games."
Against Utah Tech, he saw a level of complementary football the Bears hadn't reached earlier in the season.
"It's the first time I think all year that both sides have played together well and fed off each other," Ziebell said. "We go down and score the first drive, and then the defense scores for us right after that. During the game, it was a lot of excitement and celebrating each other's wins."
Up Next
Northern Colorado travels to No. 3 Montana this week, a place Ziebell knows well. He played there as a freshman three years ago, and he remembers the environment vividly.
"Montana is always a very good team. Watching their film today, they are a very good team this year as well," Ziebell said. "Getting to go up to Montana is always a task. It's the loudest stadium that I've ever played in, and just the atmosphere up there is something that I look forward to playing in. We haven't played there since my freshman year, so I'm excited to go back up there."
The noise, he said, changes how an offense operates.
"You have to take it into account. It's a lot different when you play somewhere that half the time you can't hear what's going on behind you, which I think is a testament to their fan base," Ziebell said. "You practice that throughout the week, maybe when it's not as loud, so you get used to that and comfortable with it. I know we also have ways that we can artificially produce sound during the week."
"They are a quality team, and I'm looking forward to being able to face them."
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.
So when the senior center trotted onto the field in the second quarter at Northeastern State, cleared to play after weeks of rehab, suiting up in case the Bears needed somebody, it felt strange in a way he hadn't anticipated.
"I think it's the first time in my career I've come in not at the start of the game," Ziebell said. "That was definitely an interesting thing, but it was still fun to be out there with the team."
A week later, he was back in his familiar spot, starting at center in the Bears' 37-13 Homecoming win over Utah Tech.
The Injury
Ziebell describes the injury the way the training staff did: turf toe, a catch-all term for something wrong in his foot. What mattered more than the diagnosis was the timeline. Based on what he was initially told, he didn't expect to be back until later.
"The trainers told me I got turf toe in my toe, so that is a cover-all term as I understand it," Ziebell said. "It's just something wrong with part of my foot."
The weeks away were difficult in a way that went beyond the physical.
"Whenever you don't get to be out there playing the game that you love with the people that you care about a lot, it's really hard, and it feels like some part of you is missing," he said. "Just watching from the sidelines, trying to coach other people up, but just not being able to be out there."
He credited Northern Colorado's sports medicine staff for getting him back ahead of schedule.
"We have really good support staff here. One of the reasons I love UNC so much is not just the coaches and the players, but everyone surrounding us," Ziebell said. "They've worked really hard to get me back into a place where I can play. When they said I was full go and could take a shot at it, it worked out pretty well for me."
Contributing From the Sideline
Ziebell has played football since he was five, and he said the experience of being injured was not new, just no easier for the familiarity.
Rather than step back, he found ways to contribute. He pointed specifically to Colton Patterson, who filled in at center during his absence.
"Being able to help people with looks that I may have seen that haven't come up yet, or just different techniques that I try to use, helping especially Colton. I think he played a great job while I was out," Ziebell said. "Just being able to try to be there for him as much as he needed me, and then everybody else on the team. I take pride in being someone that they can always come up and talk to, no matter what I'm doing. Any football questions, any life questions, I try to be there for all my guys."
A Complete Game Up Front
Ziebell returned to a line that turned in one of its best performances of the season in the win over Utah Tech. The Bears rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry, while allowing no sacks.
"I have a lot of confidence in my offensive linemen," Ziebell said. "I think we have a really good group of guys, top to bottom, in our depth chart. The fact that we could go out there and help protect and help run the ball efficiently really shows the testament to the guys that get to get in the game and play."
He was measured about the performance, though.
"We definitely played well, but there's always things that we can improve on," Ziebell said. "Everyone still had lots of notes, lots of ways to improve to where it's even more dominant up front."
The Team's Turn
Ziebell said the two-game winning streak has been built on something more durable than momentum. He pointed to buy-in and resolve that predate the wins.
"A lot of what has made us successful over these last couple weeks is that we've had a high level of buy-in and a high level of resolve through the time that I've been here," Ziebell said. "That's what allowed us to come back these last couple weeks and show that we can compete and win football games."
Against Utah Tech, he saw a level of complementary football the Bears hadn't reached earlier in the season.
"It's the first time I think all year that both sides have played together well and fed off each other," Ziebell said. "We go down and score the first drive, and then the defense scores for us right after that. During the game, it was a lot of excitement and celebrating each other's wins."
Up Next
Northern Colorado travels to No. 3 Montana this week, a place Ziebell knows well. He played there as a freshman three years ago, and he remembers the environment vividly.
"Montana is always a very good team. Watching their film today, they are a very good team this year as well," Ziebell said. "Getting to go up to Montana is always a task. It's the loudest stadium that I've ever played in, and just the atmosphere up there is something that I look forward to playing in. We haven't played there since my freshman year, so I'm excited to go back up there."
The noise, he said, changes how an offense operates.
"You have to take it into account. It's a lot different when you play somewhere that half the time you can't hear what's going on behind you, which I think is a testament to their fan base," Ziebell said. "You practice that throughout the week, maybe when it's not as loud, so you get used to that and comfortable with it. I know we also have ways that we can artificially produce sound during the week."
"They are a quality team, and I'm looking forward to being able to face them."
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.
Players Mentioned
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