UNC Mirror

Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File Photo University of Northern Colorado's Max Hewitt,right, and D.J. Craft, middle, tackle Montana State's Derek Green while Jeff Hansen looks on during the Bears' 16-13 victory against the Bobcats. UNC will travel to Washington to play the Eastern Washington Eagles on Saturday.

It may have taken nine games, but the University of Northern Colorado football team now has a notch in the win column this season.

The Bears' 16-13 home win Saturday against the No. 19 Montana State Bobcats was not only their first win of the season, but their first win in 16 games and their first ever win in Big Sky Conference competition.

And with the forward momentum that comes with such a win, the Bears now look toward their last road game of the season, a Saturday match-up against the No. 24 ranked Eastern Washington Eagles in Cheney, Wash. The 5-3 Eagles are coming off last week's 38-30 upset against Sacramento State.

Bears defensive lineman Vinny Pallone is certainly optimistic about where his team is headed.

"We definitely have a chance now," Pallone said. "We broke through on a 16-game losing streak. I don't think anybody knows how much that meant unless they're on this team."

The Bears will certainly need all of the optimism they can get. The Eagles, UNC's third consecutive ranked opponent, have more than a couple advantages against the visiting Bears. For one, the Eagles offense features quarterback Matt Nichols, who is already making waves as a sophomore. Nichols, the best quarterback the Bears have faced since Hawaii's Colt Brennan, has completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 2,381 yards this season, with an astounding 20 touchdowns against just five interceptions.

Wide receiver Aaron Boyce has also proven to be a playmaker for the Eagles this season, amassing 1,031 yards on 63 receptions, along with eight touchdowns in as many games.

However, that's not to say that Bears quarterback Dominic Breazeale and his receivers are not on an upward swing. Breazeale, who had a career game on Saturday completing 19 of 31 pass attempts for 266 yards and a touchdown, is also pleased with where his offense is headed.

"To come home and play like that, there's nothing more you can ask for," Breazeale said. "(The win) was a big confidence builder. If we keep that confidence level up all through practice and into Saturday's game, I think we have a good deal."

Speaking of Breazeale, Bears coach Scott Downing said he and the receivers are starting to get on the same page.

Breazeale wasn't the only player on the offense who had a noteworthy performance on Saturday. Wide receiver Brandon Smith caught six passes for 72 yards and tight end Clint Wright had three receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown. Breazeale said his receivers were just feeling the ball on Saturday.

"One play after another we were just moving the ball up the field and as a quarterback that's all I want to do," Breazeale said. "I think as a team we all played better."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools