The University of Northern Colorado Football team has wrapped up their spring showcase and now head into summer semester. While we wish the Bears good luck on their final exam results, how much luck will they need in the fall? Are the Bears any better suited for success than the previous regimes? It’s too damn early to tell, but we are going to dive into it anyways since football is 115 days away.

Spring Takeaways

The Ed Lamb era seems be off on the right foot as simple things to systematic operations are far more ethically correct and football focused than the previous celebrity regime. Lamb gives off the stern Fatherly vibes as early in the spring workouts he challenged his group “to not just don’t drink and drive, but to just not drink… not be out too late. Nobody is chasing you around, but it is like skipping a rep in the weight room. Can you get away with it? It is on you“.

Lamb took great care in assembling a talented coaching roster from his ties at BYU and Southern Utah. From youngsters with talent to seasoned ball coaches new to the college scene Lamb has a diverse roster beside him and on the field. Among the accolades of the coaching staff includes coaching Zach Wilson into a #2 overall pick in the NFL, coaching Taron Johnson into an NFL player and three other Wildcats into All Big Sky players, and multiple Big Sky Conference titles won.

A promise that Lamb seems to be keeping is that he wants the “hidden gem” talent of Colorado players to stay and play at home. Lamb made it abundantly clear that he wants the in state talent and to pursue whoever he thinks will help the program in the right way. One of the most shocking stats came from two star recruit quarterback Richard Stallworth compiling 12,590 yards (Arizona record) and 168 touchdowns in three years of high school play.

Blue & Gold Showcase

The defense got out to a hot start and kept the offense at a safe distance throughout the game. At one point the defense compiled a three score lead. A big disclaimer is that the major starters were given little to no play time including All-Conference edge rusher David Hoage. Another nuance to the game was that alumni of the team were invited to call plays as celebrity guest coaches. Schemes and tricks are never a prominent part of the spring game so this was purely an exhibition of talent from fringe starters, back ups and those still trying to earn a roster spot.

The offensive starters struggled to produce points when Sirmon and the starting running backs were not in the lineup. Between a celebrity coach, lacking receiver core depth and overall struggle to create a smooth chemistry the backup offensive players struggled to show their value unless given the chance to be in open field one-on-one. The defense made lots of flashy plays, good stops up front and forced a few turnovers. The biggest improvement the defense needs to focus on is outside contain from the tackle/tight end to the flats for screens and outside runs that found success and just overall communication on coverage and audibles.

Here’s an extended version of my instant reaction to the Blue & Gold Showcase (Originally posted on Twitter)

— Offense Observations

– Offensive line is VERY new and will need time to mesh for a successful run game (only 3 returners listed on spring game). The Younger linemen are massive with the majority above 300 pounds and over 6’4″. Will need to ensure that the three players over 6’6″ are used productively to not hide the receivers nor make the running backs have to wait for pulls or impact blocks.

– Returning running backs are DAWGs, new running backs are very green. David Afari and Jordan Hornbeak definitely have an edge going into fall as they have shown superior ability to break tackles and fall forward for extra yards.

– Receiver depth is LOW just like coach has said in many interviews. Currently, the main roster shows only six wide receivers, but UNC reported on May 3rd that Jordan Riles (6’4″ 200 lbs.) is transferring in from UNLV.

– Tight end group is deep and multi talented. Alec Pell and Kyle Helbig are poised to be huge contributors once again as the passing game will need help from the big men.

– Sirmon is definitively QB1. The QB2 spot is open, Kuykendall looked frustrated with receiver depth and Peter Costelli (Troy transfer) struggles with his lanky frame and being on time in quick pass scheme. Depending on the results of the spring game and eligibility status UNC recruit Richard Stallworth looks like a worthy quarterback once he learns Lambs system. It will be up to the coaches whether he sees the field this season or takes on a red-shirt to solidify a bid for QB1 in 2024. Additionally, UNC reported on May 2nd that Wyoming quarterback Hank Gibbs (6’6″ 240 lbs.) is transferring in.

– Tight end Charles Garrison best newcomer on offense during the spring game. With an already crowded tight end position Garrison stood out as a promising threat with three impressive catches and good blocking. If receiver woes still plague Lamb in the fall he could easily run a Belichick-esque offense with a double tight end run-and-gun scheme with the talent on roster.

— Defense Observations

– Defensive line improved up the middle and stuffed the run well. UNC’s defensive line not only got bigger, but also surprisingly more agile. Not even factoring in the addition of David Hoage back in the lineup with linebacker/ edge rusher Vincent King on the opposite edge and a nasty Nick Norris up the middle. The pass rush and run stop attempts should come much more often as the starting talent will be much healthier and the back ups are competent.

– Safeties did well, but did not see their zones challenged much if at all. Good instincts of when to come down for run support or drop back to the flats for sideline protection. Overall solid coverage when asked to play man. More communication with the corner backs on assignments and coverage is the only critique.

– Corners seemed young with some gaps on deep or extended coverage. Seemed hesitant to be aggressive on underneath and shallow coverage. The young and undersized players will need to position themselves strategically at the beginning of plays and communicate much more often with safeties and linebackers to any audibles or changes in coverages they need.

– Linebackers kept good contain and sealed edges well enough. This is one of the thinnest positions on Lamb’s team besides receivers and he knows it. The defensive formations were heavy on defensive backs and loading the defensive line, but in general linebacker lite with as few as two true linebackers in at a time. On May 2nd UNC reported they added linebacker Zach Nowatzke (6’2″ 230 lbs.) from West Texas A&M (Division II).

— Special Teams Observations

-Very limited showing but Hunter Green did well in field goal placements 5/5 on the day in total. All kickoffs and punts were punt team versus just the returner until a two handed touch to avoid injury during spring. There are no other punter or kicker on roster so Green may play both unless Lamb recruits any transfers over for injury assurance. When Green punts he uses a squib kick approach (low, fast and bouncy) which could be dangerous against speed returners who have good hands and twitchy reactions.

Fall Expectations

UNC has been through a lot of challenges, not even considering Covid-19, and Lamb will need to show why the third coach since 2019 can change the culture and building a winning program. Fans, alumni, staff and administrators can only cling to the back-to-back Division II National Title glory days for so long before a measly two winning seasons in Division I forces them to forget their fire for Bears football.

Diehards and families will always grace Nottingham Field with their voices during the fight song and “Oh, I Remember”, cheer for the Sugar Bears Dance Team with the band at halftime, and buy an overpriced, nostalgia filled hot dog from dining services. The problem is more people will not come down and clap to the fight song if UNC football cannot produce more wins in the coming years. #GetUpGreeley

While we would all prefer to see a win in Greeley this year’s schedule offers few breaks in it. UNC plays five 2022 FCS playoff teams and FBS Washington State. Coach Lamb will have to come back into the league with a wolf mentality towards all foes. The roster still has good talent on it, but can the coaches elevate the players into great?

Here’s the tale of last year’s tape on the opponents:

• @ Abilene Christian 7-4 (Win over Future FBS Sam Houston, close losses to ranked opponents)
• vs. Incarnate Word 12-2 (FCS Playoffs Semi Final loss by 3 to #3 NDSU, beat #2 Sac State 66-63, also beat #9 SIU and #11 Furman)
• @ Washington State 7-6 (7 point win over Idaho, beat #19 Wisconsin and Colorado State, lost bowl game 29-6 to Fresno State)
• @ Idaho State 1-10 (Only win on Homecoming over Cal Poly 40-31, UNC won 35-14, will play San Diego State (FBS) Utah State (FBS) and Northern Iowa before the Bears get them week four)
• vs. Weber State 10-3 (35-7 win over FBS Utah State, FCS Playoffs Quarter Final loss to Montana State 33-25, 6-2 in conference)
• vs. Sacramento State 12-1 (41-10 win over FBS Colorado State, 55-7 win over UNC, FCS Playoffs Quarter Final loss 66-63 to Incarnate Word)
• @ Cal Poly 2-9 (Wins over San Diego and Portland State, plays Idaho and at Montana State before UNC)
• @ Montana 8-5 (FCS Playoffs Quarter Final loss 49-26 to NDSU, only unranked loss to Idaho 30-23, only ranked win 34-24 over #12 SE Missouri)
• vs. Idaho 7-5 (Two close losses to FBS foes, 55-35 win over UNC, win over #3 Montana, FCS Playoffs First Round loss 45-42 to SE Louisiana)
• @ Northern Arizona 3-8 (Win over future FBS Sam Houston 10-3, loss at UNC in rivalry game 21-20, 10 year streak of home team wins on the line)
• vs. Portland State 4-7 (Won 35-21 over UNC, only three Division I wins, only DI win over eight points was against UNC)

Best Case Scenario: 6-5
Worst Case Scenario: 2-9
Most Likely Scenario: 4-7
Bear Claw Media’s Way Too Early Pick: 5-6

There are definitely some automatic losses on the schedule and automatic wins are a dangerous business to be in. Regardless, I see Idaho State, Cal Poly and Portland State’s programs in as much or worse repair needed than the Bears. The “upset” win I am betting on is that the ACU game will be a shootout similar to when Kyle Sloter torched the Wildcats. The “stretch” win I do not automatically see, but want to believe in is that if Coach Lamb is worth his weight in salt he will end the NAU-UNC rivalry home streak. A growing niche of UNC-NAU fans look forward to this recently electric series and Lamb could cement a good year with a losing record if he chops down the Lumberjacks.

Recent UNC Transfers