2023 Northern Colorado Bears football team

2023 Northern Colorado Bears football
2023 Northern Colorado Bears football
Conference	Big Sky Conference
Record	0–11 (0–8 Big Sky)
Head coach	Ed Lamb (1st season);
Offensive coordinator	Blair Peterson (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Preston Hadley (1st season)
Home stadium	Nottingham Field
	Seasons ← 2022 2024 →

2023 Big Sky Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 2 Montana $^	7	–	1	13	–	2
No. 8 Idaho ^	6	–	2	9	–	4
No. 9 Montana State ^	6	–	2	8	–	4
Northern Arizona	5	–	3	5	–	6
No. 24 UC Davis	5	–	3	7	–	4
No. 13 Sacramento State ^	4	–	4	8	–	5
Portland State	4	–	4	5	–	6
Weber State	4	–	4	6	–	5
Eastern Washington	3	–	5	4	–	7
Idaho State	3	–	5	3	–	8
Cal Poly	1	–	7	3	–	8
Northern Colorado	0	–	8	0	–	11

$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2023 Northern Colorado Bears football team represented the University of Northern Colorado as a member of the Big Sky Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by first-year head coach Ed Lamb and played their home games at Nottingham Field.

Preseason

Polls

On July 23, 2023, during the virtual Big Sky Kickoff, the Bears were predicted to finish tenth in the Big Sky by both the coaches and media.^[1]

Coaches poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Montana State	120 (10)
2	UC Davis	96 (1)
3	Sacramento State	94 (1)
4	Weber State	91
5	Idaho	89
6	Montana	84
7	Eastern Washington	52
8	Portland State	45
9	Northern Arizona	44
10	Northern Colorado	37
11	Cal Poly	25
12	Idaho State	15

Media poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Montana State	447 (26)
2	Idaho	410 (8)
3	Montana	359 (2)
4	Sacramento State	334 (3)
5	UC Davis	330
6	Weber State	320
7	Eastern Washington	216
8	Northern Arizona	178
9	Portland State	167
10	Northern Colorado	109
11	Cal Poly	103
12	Idaho State	69

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	6:00 p.m.	at Abilene Christian*	Wildcat Stadium Abilene, TX	ESPN+	L 11–31	6,164
September 9	2:00 p.m.	No. 10 Incarnate Word*	Nottingham Field Greeley, CO	ESPN+	L 7–42	3,898
September 16	3:00 p.m.	at No. 23 (FBS) Washington State*	Martin Stadium Pullman, WA	P12N	L 21–64	23,595
September 23	4:00 p.m.	at Idaho State	Holt Arena Pocatello, ID	ESPN+	L 21–35	N/A
September 30	1:00 p.m.	No. 13 Weber State	Nottingham Field Greeley, CO	ESPN+	L 21–28	3,375
October 14	1:00 p.m.	No. 4 Sacramento State	Nottingham Field Greeley, CO	ESPN+	L 13–21	4,783
October 21	7:05 p.m.	at Cal Poly	Mustang Memorial Field San Luis Obispo, CA	ESPN+	L 17–24	9,263
October 28	1:00 p.m.	at No. 7 Montana	Washington–Grizzly Stadium Missoula, MT	ESPN+	L 0–40	25,463
November 4	1:00 p.m.	No. 3 Idaho	Nottingham Field Greeley, CO	ESPN+	L 13–27	3,608
November 11	1:00 p.m.	at Northern Arizona	Walkup Skydome Flagstaff, AZ	ESPN+	L 7–28	6,003
November 18	12:00 p.m.	Portland State	Nottingham Field Greeley, CO	ESPN+	L 23–27	2,578
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Mountain time

Source: Schedule

Conference opponents not scheduled this season: Eastern Washington, Montana State, UC Davis

Game summaries

at Abilene Christian

vs No. 10 Incarnate Word

Game Two – Incarnate Word Cardinals (0–1) at Northern Colorado Bears (0–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 10 Cardinals	7	14	14	7	42
Bears	0	0	0	7	7

at Nottingham Field, Greeley, CO

Date: September 9
Game time: 2:00 p.m.
Game weather: Wind: NE 9 mph • Weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 3,898
Referee: Gregg Wilson
TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Alveen (play-by-play) and Nick Hager (analyst)
Box Score Pregame line: UIW −17.0

Game information

First Quarter

UIW – 8:34 Marquez Perez 21 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Mason Lawler kick
UIW 7–0 Drive: 3 plays, 40 yards, 0:41

Second Quarter

UIW – 14:24 Caleb Chapman 1 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Mason Lawler kick
UIW 14–0 Drive: 16 plays, 97 yards, 6:50
UIW – 1:53 Timothy Carter 16 yard run, Mason Lawler kick
UIW 21–0 Drive: 7 plays, 89 yards, 1:39

Third Quarter

UIW – 9:22 Zach Calzada 11 yard run, Mason Lawler kick
UIW 28–0 Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 3:18
UIW – 5:10 Tre Siggers 11 yard run, Mason Lawler kick
UIW 35–0 Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:05

Fourth Quarter

UIW – 10:04 Caleb Chapman 25 yard pass from Zach Calzada, Mason Lawler kick
UIW 42–0 Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:37
UNC – 6:28 Blake Haggerty 43 yard pass from Hank Gibbs, Hunter Green kick
UIW 42–7 Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards, 3:36

Statistics	UIW	UNC
First downs	29	14
Plays–yards	82–617	69–261
Rushes–yards	42–235	37–93
Passing yards	382	168
Passing: comp–att–int	29–40–1	15–32–1
Time of possession	31:03	28:57

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Incarnate Word	Passing	Zach Calzada	23/32, 255 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Timothy Carter	16 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Caleb Chapman	5 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
Northern Colorado	Passing	Jacob Sirmon	13/27, 114 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	David Afari	14 carries, 43 yards
	Receiving	Blake Haggerty	4 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD

at No. 23 (FBS) Washington State

Northern Colorado Bears (0–2) at No. 23 (FBS) Washington State Cougars (2–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	7	7	7	21
No. 23 (FBS) Cougars	22	21	14	7	64

at Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA

Date: September 16, 2023
Game time: 3:00 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 81 °F (27 °C) • Wind: SW 8 mph
Game attendance: 23,595
Referee: Gary Reed
TV: P12N

Game information

First quarter

(10:28) WSU – Cameron Ward 8-yard run, Billy Riviere pass (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:32; Washington State 8–0)
(6:08) WSU – Kyle Williams 37-yard pass from Cameron Ward, Dean Janikowski kick (Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 3:23; Washington State 15–0)
(3:41) WSU – Lincoln Victor 28-yard pass from Cameron Ward, Dean Janikowski kick (Drive: 4 plays, 64 yards, 1:07; Washington State 22–0)

Second quarter

(12:27) WSU – Josh Kelly 18-yard pass from Cameron Ward, Dean Janikowski kick (Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 2:33; Washington State 29–0)
(8:45) WSU – Nakia Watson 6-yard run, Dean Janikowski kick (Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 1:40; Washington State 36–0)
(3:20) WSU – Lincoln Victor 31-yard pass from Cameron Ward, Dean Janikowski kick (Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 2:31; Washington State 43–0)
(0:12) NCU – Jamarii Robinson 18-yard pass from Jacob Sirmon, Hunter Green kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:08; Washington State 43–7)

Third quarter

(9:43) WSU – Josh Meredith 15-yard pass from John Mateer, Dean Janikowski kick (Drive: 7 plays, 93 yards, 2:38; Washington State 50–7)
(5:45) NCU – Hank Gibbs 1-yard run, Hunter Green kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:58; Washington State 50–14)
(5:10) WSU – Tsion Nunnally 72-yard pass from John Mateer, Dean Janikowski kick (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:30; Washington State 57–14)

Fourth quarter

(13:46) WSU – Dylan Paine 1-yard run, Dean Janikowski kick (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:04; Washington State 64–14)
(11:36) NCU – Darius Stewart 52-yard pass from Jacob Sirmon, Hunter Green kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:10; Washington State 64–21)

Statistics	NCU	WSU
First downs	17	33
Total yards	366	718
Rushes/yards	31–158	36–229
Passing yards	208	489
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	18–30–0	29–38–1
Time of possession	29:11	30:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northern Colorado	Passing	Jacob Sirmon	16/24, 171 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	David Afari	17 carries, 116 yards
	Receiving	Blake Haggerty	6 receptions, 70 yards
Washington State	Passing	Cam Ward	20/26, 327 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Dylan Paine	7 carries, 71 yards, TD
	Receiving	Lincoln Victor	6 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD

at Idaho State

Idaho State Bengals (0–3) vs. Northern Colorado Bears (0–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	7	0	14	0	21
Bengals	7	14	7	7	35

at Holt Arena, Pocatello, Idaho

Date: September 23
Game time: 4:00 p.m. MDT
Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), Indoors
Game attendance: 8,012
Referee: Jim C.
TV announcers (ESPN+): Dylan Carder (play-by-play), Kody Graves (analyst)
Spread: Idaho State –6.5 • Odds to win: Northern Colorado 51.7% • [1]

Game information

First quarter

7:04 UNC – Darius Stewart 16-yard run (Hunter Green kick) – Northern Colorado 7–0, Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 4:37
0:07 ISU – Alfred Jordan Jr. 32-yard pass from Jordan Cooke (Thomas Kopcho kick) – Tied 7–7, Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 2:37

Second quarter

5:31 ISU – Jordan Cooke 1-yard run (Thomas Kopcho kick) – Idaho State 14–7, Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:25
0:20 ISU – Chedon James 1-yard pass from Hunter Hays (Thomas Kopcho kick) – Idaho State 21–7, Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 1:14

Third quarter

10:32 UNC – Jacob Sirmon 1–yard run (Hunter Green kick) – Idaho State 21–14, Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:22
5:09 UNC – David Afari 18–yard run (Hunter Green kick) – Tied 21–21, Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 4:00
2:45 ISU – Aiden Taylor 8–yard run (Thomas Kopcho kick) – Idaho State 28–21, Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:24

Fourth quarter

5:05 ISU – Hunter Hays 2–yard run (Thomas Kopcho kick) – Idaho State 35–21, Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 5:56

Statistics	Northern Colorado	Idaho State
First downs	25	26
Plays–yards	72–365	72–429
Rushes–yards	40–242	30–103
Passing yards	123	326
Passing: comp–att–int	22–32–2	26–42–1
Turnovers	3	1
Time of possession	31:13	28:47

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northern Colorado	Passing	Jacob Sirmon	22/32, 123 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Darius Stewart	14 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Ty Arrington	5 receptions, 42 yards
Idaho State	Passing	Jordan Cooke	14/23, 218 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Hunter Hays	13 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Christian Fredericksen	7 receptions, 108 yards

vs No. 13 Weber State

vs No. 4 Sacramento State

No. 4 Sacramento State Hornets (4–1) at Northern Colorado Bears (0–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 4 Hornets	14	0	7	0	21
Bears	3	7	0	3	13

at Nottingham Field, Greeley, CO

Date: October 14, 2023
Game time: 1:00 p.m. MST
Game weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 4,783
Referee: Jim Crowley
TV announcers (ESPN+): Play-by-Play: Jason Alvine • Analysis: Mik Hager
Sources:^[2]^[3]

Game information

First Quarter

(12:19) UNC – Hunter Green 39-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:50; Northern Colorado 3–0)
(8:44) SAC – Devin Gandy 15-yard pass from Kaiden Bennett (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:35; Sacramento State 7–3)
(0:34) SAC – Ezra Moleni 8-yard pass from Kaiden Bennett (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 3:56; Sacramento State 14–3)

Second Quarter

(7:47) UNC – Brayden Munroe 41-yard pass from Jacob Sirmon (Hunter Green kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 92 yards, 2:29; Sacramento State 14–10)

Third Quarter

(0:00) SAC – Carlos Hill 20-yard pass from Kaiden Bennett (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:41; Sacramento State 21–10)

Fourth Quarter

(8:31) UNC – Hunter Green 19-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 73 yards, 3:50; Sacramento State 21–13)

Line

SAC –25.0

Over/Under

58.5

Statistics	SAC	UNC
First downs	23	17
Total yards	334	332
Rushing yards	151	75
Passing yards	183	257
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	25–31–0	20–39–0
Time of possession	30:57	29:03

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sacramento State	Passing	Kaiden Bennett	25/31, 183 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Ezra Moleni	16 carries, 93 yards
	Receiving	Marshel Martin	7 receptions, 52 yards
Northern Colorado	Passing	Jacob Sirmon	20/39, 257 yards, TD
	Rushing	David Afari	10 carries, 36 yards
	Receiving	Brayden Munroe	3 receptions, 66 yards, TD

at Cal Poly

at No. 7 Montana

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
No. 7 Grizzles	0	14	12	14	40

vs No. 3 Idaho

No. 3 Idaho Vandals (6–2) at Northern Colorado Bears (0–8) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 3 Vandals	3	7	7	10	27
Bears	0	7	0	6	13

at Nottingham Field • Greeley, CO

Date: November 4, 2023
Game time: 1:00 p.m. MDT
Game attendance: 3,608
TV: ESPN+

at Northern Arizona

vs Portland State

References

^ "Montana State Tabbed Preseason Football Favorites". July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
^ "Football vs Northern Colorado on 10/14/2023 - Box Score - Sacramento State". October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
^ "Football Wins Another Close Game In Victory At Northern Colorado". October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.

[1] "Montana State Tabbed Preseason Football Favorites". July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2023.

[2] "Football vs Northern Colorado on 10/14/2023 - Box Score - Sacramento State". October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.

[3] "Football Wins Another Close Game In Victory At Northern Colorado". October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e Northern Colorado Bears football
Venues	Nottingham Field (1995–present)
Culture & lore	Klawz "UNC Fight Song"
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
Seasons	1893 1894 1895 1896 1897–1898 1899 1900 1901–1904 1905 1906–1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943–1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National championship seasons in bold