Northern Colorado Bears football
The Northern Colorado Bears football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Northern Colorado located in Greeley, Colorado. The team competes in the Big Sky Conference[4] at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The university's first football team was fielded in 1893.[5] The team plays its home games at the 8,533 seat[2] Nottingham Field on campus. The Bears are coached by Ed McCaffrey.
Northern Colorado Bears | |||
---|---|---|---|
| |||
First season | 1893[1] | ||
Head coach | Ed McCaffrey 1st season, 0–0 (–) | ||
Stadium | Nottingham Field (Capacity: 8,533[2]) | ||
Location | Greeley, Colorado | ||
NCAA division | Division I FCS | ||
Conference | Big Sky Conference | ||
All-time record | 428–450–27 (.488) | ||
Claimed national titles | 2 (D-II) (1996, 1997)[1] | ||
Conference titles | 12 (D-II) RMAC - 4 GPAC - 3 NCC - 5 [1] | ||
Colors | Blue and Gold[3] | ||
Website | uncbears.com |
Conference affiliations
Below is the list of conferences in which Northern Colorado has been a member.[1]
- Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (1923–1971)
- Great Plains Athletic Conference (1972–1975)
- NCAA Division II independent (1976–1979)
- North Central Conference (1980–2002)
- Great West Football Conference (2004–2005)
- Big Sky Conference (2006–present)
Championships
National championships
Northern Colorado made two appearances in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game. The Bears defeated Carson–Newman, 23–14 in 1996, and later defeated New Haven, 51–0 in 1997.
Year | NCAA Division | Coach | Record | National Championship Game | Opponent | Result | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | II | Joe Glenn | 12–3 | 1996 Division II National Championship | Carson–Newman | W 23–14 | Florence, AL |
1997 | II | Joe Glenn | 13–2 | 1997 Division II National Championship | New Haven | W 51–0 | Florence, AL |
Playoff appearances (NCAA Division II)
The Bears have appeared in the NCAA Division II playoffs nine times with an overall record of 12–7.[1]
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1980 | First Round | Eastern Illinois | L 14–21 |
1990 | First Round | North Dakota State | L 7–17 |
1991 | First Round | Portland State | L 24–28 |
1995 | First Round | Pittsburg State | L 17–36 |
1996 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals | Pittsburg State NW Missouri State Clarion Carson-Newman | W 24–21 W 27–26 W 19–18 W 23–14 |
1997 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals | Pittsburg State NW Missouri State Carson-Newman New Haven | W 24–16 W 35–19 W 30–29 W 51–0 |
1998 | First Round Quarterfinals | North Dakota NW Missouri State | W 52–28 L 17–42 |
1999 | First Round Quarterfinals | Pittsburg State NW Missouri State | - |
2002 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Central Missouri State NW Missouri State Grand Valley | W 49–28 W 23–12 L 7–44 |
Attendance
Highest attendance
Below is a list of the Bears best-attended home games at Nottingham Field.[1]
Rk. | Date | Opponent | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|
Highest attendance | |||
1 | October 1, 2005 | Cal Poly | 9,145 |
2 | October 29, 2005 | Fort Lewis | 8,561 |
3 | October 2, 2010 | Montana | 8,105 |
4 | September 3, 2005 | Colorado School of Mines | 7,554 |
5 | October 23, 1998 | South Dakota | 7,520 |
6 | October 9, 1999 | Nebraska-Omaha | 7,499 |
7 | November 21, 1998 | North Dakota | 7,312 |
8 | September 20, 1998 | Texas State | 7,246 |
9 | October 19, 2002 | South Dakota | 7,198 |
10 | October 10, 1998 | South Dakota | 7,135 |
As of the 2014 season.
Yearly attendance
Source:[1]
Below is the Bears home attendance by season at Nottingham Field.
Season | Total | Average | High |
---|---|---|---|
Northern Colorado Bears | |||
2018 | 25,293 | 4,215 | 5,672 |
2017 | 21,917 | 4,383 | 5,378 |
2016 | 24,477 | 4,895 | 5,476 |
2015 | 25,612 | 4,269 | 5,205 |
2014 | 21,037 | 4,207 | 6,348 |
2013 | 23,990 | 3,998 | 4,619 |
2012 | 21,240 | 4,248 | 5,136 |
2011 | 23,428 | 3,905 | 5,692 |
2010 | 27,919 | 5,584 | 8,105 |
2009 | 21,111 | 3,518 | 5,247 |
2008 | 21,676 | 4,355 | 7,246 |
2007 | 20,441 | 4,088 | 6,684 |
2006 | 28,857 | 6,219 | 4,810 |
2005 | 37,549 | 7,510 | 9,142 |
2004 | 27,370 | 4,562 | 6,481 |
2003 | 28,730 | 5,746 | 6,660 |
2002 | 34,898 | 5,816 | 7,198 |
2001 | 26,153 | 4,359 | 5,488 |
2000 | 29,162 | 6,352 | 4,860 |
1999 | 46,552 | 6,650 | 7,520 |
1998 | 40,690 | 5,813 | 7,312 |
1997 | 25,302 | 4,217 | 6,345 |
1996 | 27,282 | 4,547 | 6,318 |
1995 | 25,067 | 4,364 | 7,024 |
As of the 2015 season.
Notable former players
Notable alumni include:
References
- "Northern Colorado Record Book" (PDF). Northern Colorado Bears Athletics. December 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- "Gameday at Northern Colorado". University of Northern Colorado. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
Stadium Capacity: 8,533
- UNC Style Guide (PDF). May 18, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
- "Member Institutions". Big Sky Conference. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- "Northern Colorado Football Weekly Release, September 5, 2015" (PDF). University of Northern Colorado Athletics. p. 2. Retrieved September 4, 2015.