THE University of Northern Colorado (UNC) football team travels down to Abilene, Texas for a sweltering contest against the Abilene Christian Wildcats. Ed Lamb and company get their debut in unfamiliar territory as they will play a night game on the road in Texas. For as many factors as there are counting against the Bears they stare back with ambition and potential in their eyes.

Last season UNC continued to make headlines as the “dumpster-fire” McCaffrey project with son Dylan leading, despite the lack of success. While Dylan struggled there was a worthy competitor waiting eagerly on the sideline to fill a much needed void. Jacob Sirmon saw limited action due to a lack of football acumen, but often gave life to the offense and moved the ball down the field. Sirmon did struggle with occasional errant throws that were picked off, but the added production and scoring was worth his mistakes.

Throughout off-season interviews and footage Sirmon can be found honing his craft and admitting to sacrificing for this to be a great season. Sirmon even went as far as contacting Lamb about his desire to lead this team immediately after being hired and shaving his signature long curly, locks off. The multi-FBS transfer quarterback is beyond ready to make this 2023 Bears team his and their best season in recent memory.

While we won’t truly know what style and flavor of offense Lamb plans to bring with him Bears fans are hoping for a savior from bad football. A unique roster of at least two coaches’ recruiting classes, the inevitable variable of the transfer portal, and battling the demons of injuries will be a steady challenge to overcome. Bears fans hope to rely on Lamb’s disciplinarian approach and development to championship legacy to carry them back to winning ways.

Northern Colorado

Coach Ed Lamb

Record: 0-0 (UNC) 45-47 (SUU)

Championships: 2 Conference Titles (SUU in Big Sky 2015, Great West 2010)

Coach Lamb produced two eight-win seasons, two conference titles, and two playoff appearances in eight years with Southern Utah. Bears fans hope the vast experiences Lamb has from Southern Utah to San Diego with Jim Harbaugh to BYU can cultivate a winning culture here too.

Offensive Impact Players

Quarterback, Jacob Sirmon, Senior – 6’5″ 230 lbs.

Wide Receiver, Ty Arrington, Redshirt Junior – 5’11” 181 lbs.

Tight End, Alec Pell, Redshirt Junior – 6’4″ 260 lbs.

Offensively the Bears relied on short passes, tight end dump offs and hard-nosed running last year. While Ed Lamb will have a different approach these players will be key to moving the ball down the field. Sirmon is definitively the starting quarterback for the season and will have two trustworthy targets returning in Arrington and Pell. Arrington is a decisive route runner who knows when to audible the route safely to bail his quarterback out of trouble. Pell is a sturdy blocker and receiver that can be a multi use player on the edge of the line.

Defensive Impact Players

Defensive Line, David Hoage, Redshirt Junior – 6’3″ 247 lbs.

Defensive Line, Nick Norris, Junior – 6’5″ 269 lbs.

Linebacker, Vincent King, Redshirt Junior – 6’0″ 237 lbs.

Linebacker, Jordan Knapke, Redshirt Junior – 6’2″ 225 lbs.

Hoage returns from a season long injury with a host of award watch lists calling his name out already for his ability to get in the backfield and disrupt the quarterbacks. Norris is a proud local guy who has been anchoring the defensive line with his aggressive play at tearing open the interior offensive lines. King plays a vital role as a utility linebacker who can rush the line, drop in cover and also lay a hit on anyone. Knapke played mostly secondary for the Bears, but can easily move wherever needed on the field as he can cover the receivers and distribute devastating hits.

Abilene Christian

Coach Keith Patterson

Record: 7-4 (ACU)

Patterson brings a wealth of football knowledge to ACU from his many stops along the way to becoming a head coach. This is Patterson’s first head coaching experience, but comes from a long time of being around good football including most recently defensive coordinator at Texas Tech.

Offensive Impact Players

Running Back, Jermiah Dobbins, Junior – 5’11” 195 lbs.

Quarterback, Maverick McIvor, Junior – 6’2” 210 lbs.

Wide Receiver, Tristan Golighty, Senior – 6’4” 205 lbs.

Offensively this team was very mediocre for having produced seven wins, including one against FBS transfer up Sam Houston. There was no 1,000 yard rusher or receiver, McIvor’s TD:INT is a 1.78, and their top scorer was their kicker who was 40/41 on PAT and 8/21 on field goals. Despite his 38 percent field goal make Zepeda transferred to Texas A&M.

Defensive Impact Players

Safety, Elijah Moffett, Junior – 6’2” 205 lbs.

Defensive Back, Patrick Jolly, Senior – 6’2” 185 lbs.

Linebacker, Reese Young, Sophomore – 6’1” 220 lbs.

The Wildcats defense has huge size and turnover potential in their secondary. Moffett and Jolly will have a significant size advantage over most UNC pass catchers. Young is an up-and-coming young talent that was able to make noticeable contributions in tackles, tackles for a loss, and sacks.

Prediction

UNC has a lot to figure out while on the road during a day they usually don’t play a game and at a time they also don’t usually play at. There are many factors against the Bears, but an underwhelming Wildcat offense that comes from an underwhelming conference leads me to believe that the Bears have a chance. The Bears need to have a respectable scoring offense and a decent defense to be competitive.

For comparison, this game will likely have the same flavor as the game last year at Lamar in Beaumont, Texas. Another hot game in Texas against an opponent from a mid-tier conference.

Sirmon should play a balanced game when possible to avoid turnovers and rely on the committee of running backs. Hoage, King, and Knapke need to keep the defense changing to fit what they see and need to change to. A quiet defense is a dead defense. There will be cramps, the Bears may start slow, and the game may appear closer than expected, but I see a well functioning UNC team pulling off a ten-point win.

Score: UNC 27, ACU 17