2025 Northern Colorado Bears football team

Last updated

2025 Northern Colorado Bears football
UNC Bears.png
Conference Big Sky Conference
Record3–4 (1–2 Big Sky)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJustin Walterscheid (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorPreston Hadley (3rd season)
Home stadium Nottingham Field
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Big Sky Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 4 Montana  3 0   7 0  
No. 5 Montana State  3 0   5 2  
No. 6 UC Davis  3 0   5 1  
Sacramento State  2 1   4 3  
Eastern Washington  2 1   3 4  
No. 20 Northern Arizona  1 2   4 3  
Northern Colorado  1 2   3 4  
Cal Poly  1 2   3 4  
Weber State  1 2   3 4  
Idaho State  1 2   2 5  
Idaho  0 3   2 5  
Portland State  0 3   0 7  
As of October 21, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Northern Colorado Bears football team represent the University of Northern Colorado as a member of the Big Sky Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bears are led by third-year head coach Ed Lamb and play at Nottingham Field in Greeley, Colorado.

Contents

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 301:00 p.m. Chadron State * ESPN+ W 17–34,153
September 65:00 p.m.at Colorado State * Altitude L 17–2337,023
September 1312:00 p.m.at No. 12 South Dakota *ESPN+L 17–24 OT6,445
September 205:00 p.m.at Houston Christian *ESPN+W 26–23 OT1,249
September 271:00 p.m. Idaho State Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Nottingham Field
  • Greeley, CO
ESPN+L 18–265,386
October 113:00 p.m.at No. 11 Idaho ESPN+W 49–3312,902
October 187:00 p.m.at Sacramento State ESPN+L 35–4020,022
October 251:00 p.m.No. 6 UC Davis
  • Nottingham Field
  • Greeley, CO
ESPN+
November 112:00 p.m. Montana State
  • Nottingham Field
  • Greeley, CO
ESPN+
November 84:00 p.m.at Northern Arizona ESPN+
November 152:00 p.m.at Eastern Washington ESPN+
November 2212:00 p.m. Portland State
  • Nottingham Field
  • Greeley, CO
ESPN+

[1] [2]

Game summaries

Chadron State (DII)

Chadron State Eagles (DII) (0-0) at Northern Colorado Bears (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles (DII)00303
Bears1400317

at Nottingham FieldGreeley, CO

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: NE at 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 4,153
  • Referee: Mike Bezner
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First Quarter
  • (10:36) UNC – Brayden Munroe 60-yard pass from Peter Costelli, Jacob Willig kick (Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:14; Northern Colorado 7–0)
  • (0:10) UNC – Peter Costelli 19-yard run, Jacob Willig kick (Drive: 14 plays, 91 yards, 7:04; Northern Colorado 14–0)
Second Quarter

No scoring plays

Third Quarter
  • (8:58) CHA – Wilson Yee 29-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 6:02; Northern Colorado 14–3)
Fourth Quarter
  • (12:21) UNC – Jacob Willig 39-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 6:46; Northern Colorado 17–3)
StatisticsCHAUNCO
First downs2118
Total yards333297
Rushing yards105166
Passing yards228131
Passing: Comp–Att–Int20–33–19–15–0
Time of possession31:2225:55
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Chadron StatePassingDJ Ralph20/33, 228 yards, INT
RushingQuincey Ryker14 carries, 47 yards
ReceivingTommy Thomas7 receptions, 100 yards
Northern ColoradoPassingPeter Costelli6/10, 92 yards, TD
RushingMathias Price16 carries, 73 yards
ReceivingBrayden Munroe2 receptions, 69 yards, TD

at Colorado State (FBS)

Northern Colorado Bears (1–0) at Colorado State Rams (FBS) (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears737017
Rams (FBS)0014721

at Canvas StadiumFort Collins, CO

  • Date: September 6, 2025
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 37,023
  • Referee: Patrick Foy
  • TV: Altitude
Game information
First quarter
  • UNCO – Kia'i Keone 1-yard run (Jacob Willig kick), 6:37. Bears 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 3:26.
Second quarter
  • UNCO – Jacob Willig 23-yard field goal, 7:12. Bears 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:47.
Third quarter
  • CSU – Lloyd Avant 2-yard run (Isaiah Hankins kick), 13:23. Bears 10–7. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:51.
  • UNCO – Aliou-Rocco Traore 1-yard run (Jacob Willig kick), 7:14. Bears 17–7. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:09.
  • CSU – Lloyd Avant 6-yard run (Isaiah Hankins kick), 1:25. Bears 17–14. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:49.
Fourth quarter
  • CSU – Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi 13-yard run (Isaiah Hankins kick), 0:44. Rams 21–17. Drive: 13 plays, 77 yards, 3:05.
StatisticsUNCOCSU
First downs1727
Total yards223371
Rushes–yards34–6346–230
Passing yards160141
Passing: Comp–Att–Int17–28–114–26–1
Turnovers25
Time of possession29:2330:37
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassingEric Gibson Jr.17/28, 160 yards, INT
RushingJustin Guin11 carries, 38 yards
ReceivingCarver Cheeks5 receptions, 54 yards
Colorado StatePassingBrayden Fowler-Nicolosi13/25, 132 yards, INT
RushingLloyd Avant11 carries, 68 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingArmani Winfield4 receptions, 49 yards

at No. 12 South Dakota

Northern Colorado Bears (1-1) at No. 12 South Dakota Coyotes (0-2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears----0
No. 12 Coyotes----0

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 1:00 PM CDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jay Elsen (play-by-play) and Andre Fields (analyst)
StatisticsUNCOSDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
South DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Houston Christian

Northern Colorado Bears (1-2) at Houston Christian Huskies (1-2) – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Bears71030626
Huskies7733323

at Husky StadiumHouston, TX

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C) • Wind: N at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 1,249
  • Referee: Matt Beck
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Christian Saez (play-by-play) and Matthew Galtor (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (10:43) HCU – Rodney Dansby 37-yard interception, Charlie Weinrich kick (Houston Christian 7–0)
  • (4:41) UNCO – Carver Cheeks 6-yard pass from Eric Gibson, Jacob Willig kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:02; Tied 7–7)
Second Quarter
  • (10:36) UNCO – Jacob Willig 48-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 3:02; Northern Colorado 10–7)
  • (7:31) UNCO – Mathias Price 6-yard run, Jacob Willig kick (Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:26; Northern Colorado 17–7)
  • (0:29) HCU – Tyran Chappell 82-yard interception, Charlie Weinrich kick (Northern Colorado 17–14)
Third Quarter
  • (6:16) UNCO – Jacob Willig 27-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 7:20; Northern Colorado 20–14)
  • (4:21) HCU – Charlie Weinrich 46-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 1:55; Northern Colorado 20–17)
Fourth Quarter
  • (2:47) HCU – Charlie Weinrich 50-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:45; Tied 20–20)
Overtime
  • HCU – Charlie Weinrich 37-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 0:00; Houston Christian 23–20)
  • UNCO – Hank Gibbs 1-yard run (Drive: 6 plays, 25 yards, 0:00; Northern Colorado 26–23)
StatisticsUNCOHCU
First downs248
Total yards437200
Rushing yards22240
Passing yards215160
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–37–217–35–0
Time of possession38:2521:35
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassingEric Gibson24/37, 215 yards, TD, 2 INT
RushingMathias Price27 carries, 126 yards, TD
ReceivingCarver Cheeks8 receptions, 101 yards, TD
Houston ChristianPassingJake Weir17/35, 160 yards
RushingXai'Shaun Edwards9 carries, 28 yards
ReceivingJa'Ryan Wallace3 receptions, 44 yards

Idaho State

Idaho State Bengals (1-3) vs. Northern Colorado Bears (2-2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bengals10133026
Bears078318

at Nottingham Field • Greeley, CO

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. MDT
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsIDSTUNCO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Idaho StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 11 Idaho

Northern Colorado Bears (2-3) vs. No. 11 Idaho Vandals (2-3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears132201449
No. 11 Vandals7108833

at Kibbie DomeMoscow, ID

  • Date: October 11
StatisticsUNCOIDHO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
IdahoPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Sacramento State

Northern Colorado Bears (3-3) vs. Sacramento State Hornets (3-3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears----0
Hornets----0

at Hornet StadiumSacramento, CA

  • Date: October 18
StatisticsUNCOSAC
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Sacramento StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 6 UC Davis

No. 6 UC Davis Aggies (5-1) vs. Northern Colorado Bears (3-4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 6 Aggies----0
Bears----0

at Nottingham Field • Greeley, CO

  • Date: October 25
StatisticsUCDUNCO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UC DavisPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Montana State

Montana State Bobcats (0-0) vs. Northern Colorado Bears (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bobcats----0
Bears----0

at Nottingham Field • Greeley, CO

  • Date: November 1
StatisticsMTSTUNCO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Montana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Northern Arizona

Northern Colorado Bears (0-0) vs. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears----0
Lumberjacks----0

at Walkup SkydomeFlagstaff, AZ

  • Date: November 8
StatisticsUNCONAU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern ArizonaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Eastern Washington

Northern Colorado Bears (0-0) vs. Eastern Washington Eagles (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears----0
Eagles----0

at Roos FieldCheney, WA

  • Date: November 15
StatisticsUNCOEWU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Eastern WashingtonPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Portland State

Portland State Vikings (0-0) vs. Northern Colorado Bears (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings----0
Bears----0

at Nottingham Field • Greeley, CO

  • Date: November 22
StatisticsPRSTUNCO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Portland StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern ColoradoPassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. Kelley, Kevin (February 14, 2025). "Northern Colorado announces 2025 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  2. Delaney, Anne (February 13, 2025). "Northern Colorado football meets Colorado State, five FCS playoff teams in challenging 2025 schedule". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved April 23, 2025.