UNC Bears Seek First Road Win Against Houston Christian

Greeley, Colorado – The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) football team will aim for its second win of the season when it faces Houston Christian on Saturday evening. The Bears, who are 1-2 this season, have experienced near victories, losing closely to higher-ranked teams.

Last week, UNC almost defeated the nationally ranked South Dakota Coyotes in an overtime thriller. The Bears showcased their offensive strategy during the second half, with quarterback Eric Gibson Jr. leading the charge. He finished the game with 336 passing yards, marking the highest total for a UNC quarterback in three seasons.

Gibson Jr. connected on 28 of 39 passes and was instrumental in keeping the Bears competitive against South Dakota, despite a significant rushing disadvantage. While the Coyotes rushed for 301 yards, UNC only managed 91. However, the Bears outgained South Dakota overall, recording 427 total yards compared to the Coyotes’ 406.

“We definitely gained some confidence,” said Justin Walterscheid, UNC’s offensive coordinator. “In a perfect world, we have a good balance to the offense. We will lean on what works better against each opponent.”

Promising performances also came from tight end Charles Garrison, who caught seven passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, and Carver Cheeks, who had three catches for 95 yards. Garrison’s performance was notable as he had only 196 receiving yards in the entire previous season.

Head Coach Ed Lamb acknowledged the need for improved run game performance, aligning with Walterscheid’s vision for balance in their offensive strategy. “We can be a pass-first team, but we need to connect well in the passing game,” Lamb explained. He also praised Gibson Jr.’s passing ability, expressing optimism about the future direction of the team’s offensive identity.

As they prepare for their final nonconference game, Gibson Jr. underlined the importance of their evolving offense. “We know our identity now,” he said. “We spread the football, and that makes us a threat to the defenses we are up against.”

The game against Houston Christian kicks off at 5 p.m. at Husky Stadium in Houston, Texas, concluding UNC’s nonconference schedule. The Bears will look to carry the momentum from their last performance into this match-up before entering Big Sky Conference play next week.