2024 Northern Colorado Bears football team

Last updated

2024 Northern Colorado Bears football
UNC Bears.png
Conference Big Sky Conference
Record1–11 (1–7 Big Sky)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJustin Walterscheid (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorPreston Hadley (2nd season)
Home stadium Nottingham Field
Seasons
  2023
2025  
2024 Big Sky Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 2 Montana State $^  8 0   15 1  
No. 5 UC Davis ^  7 1   11 3  
No. 7 Idaho ^  6 2   10 4  
No. 22 Northern Arizona ^  6 2   8 5  
No. 10 Montana ^  5 3   9 5  
Idaho State  3 5   5 7  
Eastern Washington  3 5   4 8  
Weber State  3 5   4 8  
Portland State  3 5   3 8  
Cal Poly  2 6   3 8  
Sacramento State  1 7   3 9  
Northern Colorado  1 7   1 11  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 Northern Colorado Bears football team represented the University of Northern Colorado as a member of the Big Sky Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Ed Lamb and played their home games at Nottingham Field. The Bears snapped their 18-game losing streak on October 12 with a victory against Weber State.

Contents

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 315:00 pmat No. 14 Incarnate Word * ESPN+ L 7–282,257
September 75:00 pmat Colorado State *MW NetworkL 17–3836,573
September 142:00 p.m.No. 25 Abilene Christian *ESPN+L 22–243,017
September 216:00 p.m.at Stephen F. Austin *ESPN+L 7–487,683
September 281:00 p.m. Cal Poly Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Nottingham Field
  • Greeley, CO
ESPN+L 7–284,495
October 52:00 p.m.at No. 3 Montana State ESPN+L 14–5522,007
October 126:00 p.m.at No. 20 Weber State ESPN+W 21–1710,345
October 261:00 p.m.No. 9 Montana
  • Nottingham Field
  • Greeley, CO
ESPN+L 0–243,902
November 22:00 p.m.at No. 4 UC Davis ESPN+L 7–5910,638
November 912:00 p.m. Eastern Washington
  • Nottingham Field
  • Greeley, CO
ESPN+L 15–431,880
November 1612:00 p.m.No. 25 Northern Arizona
  • Nottingham Field
  • Greeley, CO
ESPN+L 3–442,279
November 232:00 p.m.at Portland State ESPN+L 13–451,791

Game summaries

at No. 14 Incarnate Word

Game One – Northern Colorado Bears (0–0) at No. 14 Incarnate Word Cardinals (0–0)
Quarter1234Total
Bears70007
No. 14 Cardinals7714028

at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio, TX

  • Date: August 31
  • Game time: 6:00 pm
  • Game weather: Temperature: 92 • Wind: NE 10 mph • Weather: Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 2,257
  • Referee: James Brookhart
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Karl Schoening (play-by-play)
  • Box Score
Game information
First Quarter
  • UIW – 13:40 Dekalon Taylor 27 yard run, Brack Peacock kick
    UIW 7–0 Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:20
  • UNC – 5:40 Vann Schield 58 yard run, Hunter Green kick
    Tied 7–7 Drive: 5 plays, 89 yards, 2:12
Second Quarter
  • UIW – 2:57 Jalen Walthall 46 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Brack Peacock kick
    UIW 14–7 Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:18
Third Quarter
  • UIW – 14:23 Logan Compton 13 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Brack Peacock kick
    UIW 21–7 Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:37
  • UIW – 6:35 Dekalon Taylor 1 yard run, Brack Peacock kick
    UIW 28–7 Drive: 13 plays, 86 yards, 6:11
StatisticsUNCOUIW
First downs1524
Total yards71–36074–408
Rushing yards43–21439–203
Passing yards146205
Passing: Comp–Att–Int17–28–221–35–1
Time of possession29:4730:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassingPeter Costelli16/26, 141 yards, 2 INT
RushingVann Schield11 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingBrayden Munroe7 receptions, 66 yards
Incarnate WordPassing Zach Calzada 21/35, 205 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingDekalon Taylor14 carries, 79 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingJalen Walthall5 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD

at Colorado State (FBS)

Game Two – Northern Colorado Bears (0–1) vs Colorado State Rams (FBS) (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears707317
Rams (FBS)10147738

at Canvas StadiumFort Collins, CO

  • Date: September 7, 2024
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny, 84 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 36,573
  • Referee: Nolan Dumas
  • TV announcers (Altitude): Brian Roth (play-by-play) and Mike Sanford Jr. (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • CSU – Tory Horton 78-yard punt return (Jordan Noyes kick), 13:18. Rams 7–0.
  • CSU – Jordan Noyes 20-yard field goal, 7:14. Rams 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 3:26.
  • UNCO – Fisher Clements 9-yard pass from Peter Costelli (Hunter Green kick), 0:45. Rams 10–7. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 1:23.
Second quarter
  • CSU – Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi 2-yard run (Jordan Noyes kick), 10:23. Rams 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:22.
  • CSU – Keegan Holles 4-yard run (Jordan Noyes kick), 0:29. Rams 24–7. Drive: 14 plays, 58 yards, 6:22.
Third quarter
  • UNCO – Brayden Munroe 50-yard pass from Peter Costelli (Hunter Green kick), 12:13. Rams 24–14. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:27.
  • CSU – Caleb Goodie 40-yard pass from Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (Jordan Noyes kick), 8:01. Rams 31–14. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:22.
Fourth quarter
  • UNCO – Hunter Green 53-yard field goal, 4:11. Rams 31–17. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 3:34.
  • CSU – Avery Morrow 8-yard run (Jordan Noyes kick), 0:43. Rams 38–17. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 3:27.
StatisticsUNCOCSU
First downs1321
Total yards298426
Rushing yards107224
Passing yards191202
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12–23–018–27–0
Time of possession27:5432:06
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassingPeter Costelli11/22, 187 yards, 2 TD
RushingPeter Costelli10 carries, 32 yards
ReceivingBrayden Munroe3 receptions, 86 yards, TD
Colorado StatePassing Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi 18/27, 202 yards, TD
RushingKeegan Holles10 carries, 89 yards, TD
Receiving Tory Horton 3 receptions, 65 yards

No. 25 Abilene Christian

Game Three – No. 25 Abilene Christian Wildcats (1–1) at Northern Colorado Bears (0–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 25 Wildcats0714324
Bears3701222

at Nottingham Field, Greeley, Colorado

  • Date: September 14
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT/2:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 85 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 3,017
  • Referee: Gregg Wilson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Christian Ceyanes (play-by-play) and Nick Hager (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • UNCO – Hunter Green 35-yard field goal, 3:57. Bears 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:42.
Second quarter
  • UNCO – Caden Meis 2-yard run (Hunter Green kick), 13:52. Bears 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 4:42.
  • ACU – Sam Hicks 17-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (Ritse Vaes kick), 1:09. Bears 10–7. Drive: 4 plays, 66 yards, 0:46.
Third quarter
  • ACU – Sam Hicks 65-yard run (Ritse Vaes kick), 9:32. Wildcats 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:05.
  • ACU – Isaiah Johnson 5-yard run (Ritse Vaes kick), 1:00. Wildcats 21–10. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 3:50.
Fourth quarter
  • UNCO – Caden Meis 2-yard run (pass failed), 8:42. Wildcats 21–16. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 7:18.
  • UNCO – Hank Gibbs 3-yard run (pass failed), 1:10. Bears 22–21. Drive: 14 plays, 69 yards, 5:29.
  • ACU – Ritse Vaes 54-yard field goal, 0:00. Wildcats 24–22. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 1:10.
StatisticsACUUNCO
First downs1218
Total yards325266
Rushing yards96241
Passing yards22925
Turnovers01
Time of possession20:1739:43
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Abilene ChristianPassingMaverick McIvor20/34, 229 yards, TD
RushingSam Hicks9 rushes, 76 yards, TD
ReceivingJavon Gibson7 receptions, 102 yards
Northern ColoradoPassingJonah Chong4/8, 14 yards
RushingDarius Stewart21 rushes, 132 yards
ReceivingBrayden Munroe1 reception, 8 yards

at Stephen F. Austin

Game Four – Northern Colorado Bears (0–3) vs Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears0000
Lumberjacks14217648

at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, Texas

  • Date: September 21, 2024
  • Game time: 7:02 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 7,683
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUNCOSFA
First downs1226
Total yards242509
Rushing yards224250
Passing yards18259
Passing: Comp–Att–Int13–21–018–28–0
Time of possession33:3426:26
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassingKia'i Keone10/14, 20 yards
RushingKia'i Keone17 carries, 76 yards
ReceivingBrayden Munroe3 receptions, 16 yards
Stephen F. AustinPassingSam Vidlak16/26, 219 yards, 3 TD
RushingJaylen Jenkins6 carries, 80 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingBlaine Green5 receptions, 93 yards

Cal Poly

Game Five – Cal Poly Mustangs (1–2) vs Northern Colorado Bears (0–4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Mustangs00000
Bears00000

at Nottingham FieldGreeley, CO

  • Date: September 28, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsCPUNCO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Cal PolyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 3 Montana State

Game Six – Northern Colorado Bears (0–5) vs No. 3 Montana State Bobcats (5–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears00000
No. 3 Bobcats00000

at Bobcat StadiumBozeman, MT

  • Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 PM MST
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUNCOMTST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Montana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 20 Weber State

Game Seven – Northern Colorado Bears (0–6) vs No. 20 Weber State Wildcats (3–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears00000
No. 20 Wildcats00000

at Stewart Stadium, Ogden, UT

  • Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. MDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUNCOWEB
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Weber StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 9 Montana

Game Eight – No. 9 Montana Grizzlies (5–2) vs Northern Colorado Bears (1–6) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 9 Grizzlies00000
Bears00000

at Nottingham FieldGreeley, CO

  • Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsMONTUNCO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MontanaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 4 UC Davis

Game Nine – Northern Colorado Bears (1–7) vs No. 4 UC Davis Aggies (7–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears00000
No. 4 Aggies00000

at UC Davis Health Stadium, Davis, CA

  • Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Scott Marsh (play-by-play) and Scott Gordon (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUNCOUCD
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
UC DavisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Eastern Washington

Game Ten – Eastern Washington Eagles (2–7) vs Northern Colorado Bears (1–8) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles2277743
Bears087015

at Nottingham FieldGreeley, CO

  • Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 1,880
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Christian Saez, Nick Hager
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsEWUUNCO
First downs3312
Total yards538323
Rushing yards33948
Passing yards199275
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16-24-113-26-0
Time of possession43:3816:22
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Eastern WashingtonPassingKekoa Visperas13-20 179 Yards 3 TD 1 INT
RushingMalik Dotson17 Carries 125 Yards
Receiving Efton Chism III 10 Receptions 93 Yards 2 TD
Northern ColoradoPassingPeter Costelli11-23 258 Yards 2 TD
RushingJacquez Robertson2 Carries 17 Yards
ReceivingCarver Cheeks4 Receptions 136 Yards 1 TD

No. 25 Northern Arizona

Game Eleven – No. 25 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (6–4) vs Northern Colorado Bears (1–9) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 25 Lumberjacks00000
Bears00000

at Nottingham FieldGreeley, CO

  • Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsNAUUNCO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ArizonaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Portland State

Game Twelve – Northern Colorado Bears (1–10) vs Portland State Vikings (2–8) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears00000
Vikings00000

at Hillsboro Stadium, Hillsboro, OR

  • Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUNCOPRST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Portland StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

References