The University of Northern Colorado football team suffered a 23-0 home loss to Weber State on Saturday, extending its school-record losing streak to 15 games.
The Bears had already lost once at home this season - a 31-0 shellacking by Division II Chadron State - but last weekend's homecoming loss to the Wildcats seemed to hit especially hard as Northern Colorado fell to 0-3 in conference and 0-7 overall in front of 5,276 fans at Nottingham Field.
The Bears, who lost their final eight games of a 1-10 season in 2006, were hoping for more success this year, their first season being eligible for a Big Sky Conference championship since moving up to Division I-AA.
Instead, UNC was shut out in consecutive home games for the first time since 1938 and it was the first time the school had been shutout twice in one season since 1965. Saturday's loss also marked back-to-back homecoming shutouts for the Bears. Eastern drilled Northern Colorado 34-0 last fall.
The Bears had just 133 yards of total offense and their longest drive of the game was a 7-play, 44-yard effort in the third quarter that ended at Weber's 42-yard line with a punt.
“It's just frustrating because our plays are set up, and they're right there,” UNC tight end Ryan Chesla said. “Their defense didn't beat us. We just didn't play our game.”
Making matters worse, the Bears face the third-ranked Montana Grizzlies (6-0) on the road this Saturday. UM has been struggling offensively of late, but its defense is still as stingy as ever, which could mean trouble for UNC.
“For whatever reason, it seems like everybody plays a pretty good game against us and we are going to have to play one perfect in order to pull one out,” UNC head coach Scott Downing said to the Tribune. “But that's part of it. That's what we call pounding the rock.”
Pounding the rock. Hitting rock bottom. Whatever you call this run of losses, the Bears' second-year coach hasn't totally lost his cool.
“I'm not disappointed in our kids, our coaches or anything, our support staff, our strength coach, our trainers,” Downing said. “Everybody is busting their butt for us. These kids, they deserve a win, but I don't know how it's going to happen.”
Kriesien is cruisin'
Northern Arizona quarterback Lance Kriesien led his team on a leisurely Saturday afternoon drive - actually a couple of them - as the Lumberjacks cruised past Idaho State 45-24 in a conference game in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Kriesien and his buddies produced 588 yards of total offense, including 390 yards on the ground to become the Big Sky's top-ranked rushing team.
“We have a plethora of playmakers on this offense, from true freshman to seniors,” Kriesien said to the Arizona Daily Sun. “It's just a lot of fun right now playing with them.”
A junior in his first year as a starter, Kriesien had what head coach Jerome Souers called the most complete game of his career. He completed 18-of-24 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns.
Afterward, the southpaw signal-caller was extremely complimentary of the entire offense as Northern Arizona improved to 3-1 in league, 4-3 overall.
“I have the easiest job in the conference right now,” Kriesien said. “We have two great running backs, a great offensive line. We have wide receivers that are blocking down field and then making plays. It just makes things ridiculously easy for me.”
Kriesien, perhaps spurred on by his dad visiting from Egypt, added 87 yards on the ground. If it weren't for a few sacks, he would have rushed for more than 100 yards.
“If the quarterback doesn't run, (the other team) is only defending 10 people and it's a totally different game,” Souers told the Sun. “If the quarterback can beat you with his speed and his arm, you have a real weapon.”
Even Kriesien's teammates enjoyed watching him play.
“Lance is a double-threat,” said running back Lionel Scott, who had 163 yards rushing with three TDs. “I would hate to be a defensive coordinator and plan for that. He can throw the ball deep, he can run, he can dump it off. He's an awesome player, and I'm just glad he's on my team.”
Banged-up Bobcats
The Montana State gridders were double dinged in Saturday's 35-13 loss to Eastern Washington. The loss was the Bobcats first in five weekends. Some of the injuries they sustained, though, could last half as long.
Montana State played most of the second half without senior quarterback Jack Rolovich and senior cornerback Kory Austin as the team struggled for a second straight Saturday.
Austin, a three-year starter and the team's top pass defender, rolled his left ankle in the second quarter and spent the rest of the game on crutches.
“When you lose Kory Austin, that's a big blow,” Ash said. “He does so much for our football team. That makes it difficult.”
Without Austin, sophomore quarterback Matt Nichols completed 9-of-11 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the second half as the Eagles scored the game's final 21 points.
Making things worse was the fact Nichols was knocked from the game for a series after taking a hit from MSU defensive lineman Brandon Hoffenbacker early in the second quarter. He came back, obviously. The Bobcats' QB did not.
Rolovich didn't play after the opening series of the third quarter because of the nagging affects of a separated shoulder he suffered three weeks ago against Idaho State. Neither of MSU's key injuries are expected to be season-ending, but Austin and Rolovich's status for Saturday's game against Sac State is unknown.
Players of the week
Offense: Lance Kriesien, NAU. The junior from Houston, Texas, completed 18-of-24 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 87 yards on 17 carries in NAU's 45-24 win over Idaho State. Defense: Kroy Biermann, UM. The senior All-American from Hardin was credited with six tackles and 1.5 sacks in Montana's 17-3 win over Sacramento State. He also had five QB hurries, a pass deflection and a forced fumble. Lance Witherspoon, EWU. The junior from Federal Way, Wash., tallied a career-high 10 tackles in the Eagles' 35-13 upset of Montana State. He also recorded four tackles-for-loss, including one sack. Special teams: Mike Snoy, Weber State. The sophomore from Layton, Utah, averaged 44.7 yards per punt and made a 28-yard field goal and an extra point in Weber State's 23-0 victory over Northern Colorado.
Quote of the week
‘It's hard to swallow, but you can't sit there and cry about it. You've got to move on.'
- Linebacker Will Claggett on MSU's 35-13 loss
to Eastern Washington
Game to watch
Northern Arizona at Weber State: Two teams on two-game winning streaks collide in Ogden. The Lumberjacks need a win to keep pace in the league standings, but the Wildcats have played every team tough. It's the Big Sky's second-ranked offense (NAU) against its second-ranked defense (WSU). Something's gotta give.
Power poll
1 Montana (6-0): Defense continues to save UM's bacon. Offense should sizzle vs. UNC Bears.
2 E. Wash. (4-2): Has split with league's top two teams. Needs help, but could make a run.
3 Montana St. (4-2): Loss to EWU hurt. Can't let up with pesky Hornets coming to town.
4 Northern Arizona (4-3): Should be higher, but still haven't played any of the league's best.
5 Portland State
(2-4): Still hanging around somehow. Vikes face Bungals in post bye-week game.
6 Weber State (2-4): Tough Weber D, emerging O has Cats looking to steal a win.
7 Sac State (1-5): Played UM close. Still earning kudos from win over Jacks.
8 Idaho St. (2-4): Only league win is over Northern Colorado. Not impressed yet.
9 N. Colorado (0-7): If Bears play Griz close, fans at both schools can scratch heads.
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