Week 3 Opponent Preview: Northern Colorado
After what should be a hard-fought battle with in-state rival Colorado State in the season opener and a bit of a breather against Texas State in Week 2, the Buffaloes dip into the FCS ranks for the final non-conference matchup of the 2017 season.
Northern Colorado, based in Greeley, visits Folsom Field on Sept. 16 for a noon kickoff on the Pac-12 Network in a game the Buffaloes should dominate from beginning to end as long as they bring their ‘A’ game to the stadium.
The contest marks UNC's first visit to Boulder since 1933. The Bears will reportedly be paid the sum of $350,000 and receive 1,700 tickets for the game. In Week 2, UNC is reportedly guaranteed $625,000 for its game against Florida at the Swamp.
Human nature being what it is, the Buffs must be careful to guard against looking ahead to what comes next on the schedule - the Sept. 23 Pac-12 opener, a highly anticipated showdown (and rematch) with conference champion and playoff participant Washington at Folsom Field.
UNC finished 6-5 last season (FCS schools play 11 regular season games) under head coach Earnest Collins Jr., the first time the Bears have recorded back-to-back winning seasons in the program’s Division I era and, overall, the first time in 13 years the program has accomplished the feat.
REC: Colorado in Dedich's Top Four
Northern Colorado’s 2016 senior class won more games at the Division I level and more Big Sky games than any other class in the program's FCS history.
The Colorado offense could have its way against a UNC defense that allowed 482 yards per game in 2016, ranking 11th in the 13-team Big Sky Conference, and lost four of its top six tacklers.
UNC also allowed opposing offenses to convert 46.6 percent of third down opportunities, the 12th worst percentage in the Big Sky, a league known more for wide open offensive play than dominant defenses.
The Bears defense also allowed an average of 25.2 first downs per game, one of the highest figure sin the Big Sky.
Collins, aware UNC must play better defense to reach the next level, was pleased with what he saw from that side of the ball in the spring.
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“I love the work being done by our defensive staff, I love the buy-in by the players and the energy I saw out there,” Collins said. “We still need to tighten some things up, but overall I was pleased how we ran to ball and got out of the stack.”
Spring practice for UNC featured a battle between quarterbacks Jacob Knipp (graduated from Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colo.) and JUCO transfer Conor Regan to determine who will succeed the graduated Kyle Sloter, who threw for 2,665 yards and 29 TD passes in 2016 after taking over as the starter in Week 2.
Knipp’s season-ending shoulder injury opened the door for Sloter to take over the offense.
Sloter signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos shortly after the conclusion of the 2017 NFL Draft in late April.
Regan impressed in the spring game, completing 11-of-19 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
The running backs are Anthony Davis and Zachary Lindsay, as they saw the majority of the snaps during the scrimmages and spring game. The UNC wide receivers were able to stretch the field a year ago, so we’ll see what problems they present the new look Colorado secondary. The trio of Ellis Onic II, Hakeem Deggs and Alex Wesley are the top weapons at receiver.
REC: Colorado Recruiting Insider (June 10)
Defensive line was a headache last season for Northern Colorado, and that unit should be filled with some new faces. In order to generate a more effective pass rush, UNC has moved a couple of outside linebackers to defensive end.
The Bears had just 18 sacks in 11 games last season, less than two per contest.
NORTHERN COLORADO 2017 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:
Sept. 2 COLLEGE OF IDAHO
Sept. 9 at Florida
Sept. 16 at Colorado, noon (Pac-12 Network)
Sept. 23 IDAHO STATE*
Sept. 30 at Northern Arizona*
Oct. 7 at North Dakota*
Oct. 14 Bye
Oct. 21 MONTANA STATE*
Oct. 28 SOUTHERN UTAH*
Nov. 4 at Sacramento State*
Nov. 11 at Montana*
Nov. 18 CAL POLY*
* Big Sky Conference Game
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