1

WHAT'SINSIDE

11 President Kay Norton27 Nottingham Field42 From the cover The obstacles have been plenty for senior linebacker Cameron Friend, but his faith has led him past those and to a leadership position with Northern Colorado Football.

46 Senior Spotlight Starting left tackle Nick Candler has played one of the most important positions for the Bears since his sophomore year, but many fans probably know little about him— such is the life of an offensive tackle.

HOT READS

2 Pregame primer4 UNC numerical6 CMU numerical8 Starting lineups12 Director of Athletics14 Head coach Earnest Collins Jr.16 Bears coaching staff21 Bears team photo22 Meet the Bears28 Gameday experience31 Championship history35 UNC Hall of Fame38 Blue & Gold Club Honor Roll48 Final drive

DEPARTMENTS

CREDITSPUBLISHING NOTES

Bears Gameday is the official 2011-12 Northern Colorado Football program.

Bears Gameday is published by the North-ern Colorado Athletics’ Creative Services office and is managed by Scott Ward, director. Assistance provided by Zach Bond and Heath-er Kennedy, of Athletics Communications. Domestic logistics provided by Sarah Ward.

PHOTOGRAPHYPhotography provided by Paul Dorweiler

(Paul Dorweiler Photography), Barry Lapoint

and Woody Myers (University Relations) and Dean Popejoy.

PRINTINGBears Gameday is updated and available for

each of the Bears’ five home games this sea-son. Printing is performed by AlphaGraphics. Special thanks to Matt Brunner, Jeanette Errett and Ivree Monroe of AlphaGraphics.

SPECIAL NOTEPurchase price for Bears Gameday is $4 and

proceeds benefit Northern Colorado Athletics and Northern Colorado Cheer.

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GAME 3: MONTANA

PREGAME PRIMERMONTANA (2-3, 0-2 BIG SKY) n NORTHERN COLORADO (1-3, 0-1 BIG SKY)

242.4 Rushing yards / game 75.0

4.9 Rushing yards / attempt 2.8

96-143-7 Passing totals (C-A-INT) 74-147-5

205.0 Passing yards / game 220.0 447.4 Total yards / game 295.0

5.7 Total yards / attempt 4.6

30.6 Scoring / game 18.2

NOTESON THE BEARS

DEFENSE

OFFENSE

120.2 Rushing yards / game 165.5

3.4 Rushing yards / attempt 3.8

112-162-3 Passing totals (C-A-INT) 81-123-5

248.8 Passing yards / game 213.5 369.0 Total yards / game 379.0

5.4 Total yards / attempt 5.1 29.2 Scoring / game 28.2

n Northern Colorado is 1-11 all-time against Montana and 1-4 in Greeley. The Bears won the teams’ first-ever meeting, 27-19, on Oct. 23, 1976.

n Senior WR Dominic Gunn had a career-best 215 all-purpose yards (55 receiving, 152 kickoff return, eight punt return) last season at Montana. His 94-yard kickoff return for touchdown in the second quarter was the first of his career.n Last week’s bye was Northern

Colorado’s first mid-season break since 2008, when it had a week off between its season opener at Purdue and its home opener against Texas St. Northern Colorado’s last three byes have come on the last week of the season.n Northern Colorado junior QB Seth

Lobato this season has become the fourth-fastest QB in Northern Colorado history to reach 3,000 career passing yards (17 games). He now has thrown for 3,443 yards in 18 games, and only Loren Snyder (1984-86; 13th game), Bryan Waggener (2008-09; 14th) and Jon Boyer (2000-01; 15th) reached 3,000 career yards in fewer games.

n Junior K Dave Eden broke the Bears’ NCAA Division I record for career point-after touchdowns with his “ex-tra point” two weeks ago at Montana State. He has 51 now, one more than Michael York (2006-09).

WR SAM GRATTON LB CLARENCE BUMPAS

3

Rushing g att gain loss net avg td lg avg/g

Tromaine Dennis 4 49 224 9 215 4.4 4 29 53.8

Quentin Hildreth 4 37 139 12 127 3.4 0 16 31.8

Will Jefferson Jr. 4 1 14 0 1414.0 0 14 3.5

Robert Holland 1 3 6 1 5 1.7 0 5 5.0

Dimitri Stimphil 4 1 3 0 3 3.0 0 3 0.8

Waylon Lolotai 4 1 3 0 3 3.0 0 3 0.8

TEAM 1 1 0 2 -2 -2.0 0 0 -2.0

Mason Puckett 4 1 0 14 -14 -14. 0 0 -3.5

Seth Lobato 4 14 16 67 -51 -3.6 0 11 -12.8

Total 4 108 405 105 300 2.8 4 29 75.0

Opponents 4 172 731 69 662 3.8 8 40165.5

Passing g efficcomp-att-in pct yds td lg avg/g

Seth Lobato 4100.76 73-144-4 50.7 875 2 56218.8

Matt Baca 4 -19.33 1-3-1 33.3 5 0 5 1.2

Total 4 98.31 74-147-5 50.3 880 2 56220.0

Opponents 4132.14 81-123-5 65.9 854 6 49213.5

Receiving g no. yds avg td lg avg/g

Jace Davis 3 17 203 11.9 0 29 67.7

Dominic Gunn 4 11 159 14.5 0 56 39.8

Dimitri Stimphil 4 10 156 15.6 2 46 39.0

Will Jefferson Jr. 4 9 108 12.0 0 19 27.0

Chris Morris 2 8 75 9.4 0 13 37.5

Tromaine Dennis 4 6 42 7.0 0 16 10.5

Austin Wilbers 4 5 32 6.4 0 8 8.0

Doug Steele 4 4 52 13.0 0 24 13.0

Quentin Hildreth 4 2 9 4.5 0 5 2.2

Darin McDonald 4 1 33 33.0 0 33 8.2

Isiah Cooper 2 1 11 11.0 0 11 5.5

Total 4 74 880 11.9 2 56220.0

Opponents 4 81 854 10.5 6 49213.5

Punt Returns no. yds avg td lg

Dominic Gunn 10 22022.0 1 74

Total 10 22022.0 1 74

Opponents 7 54 7.7 0 19

Interceptions no. yds avg td lg

Jordan Bible 2 0 0.0 0 0

Courtney Hall 2 0 0.0 0 0

Clarence Bumpas 1 0 0.0 0 0

Total 5 0 0.0 0 0

Opponents 5 19 3.8 1 24

Kick Returns no. yds avg td lg

Dominic Gunn 10 13513.5 0 20

Will Jefferson Jr. 2 6030.0 0 38

Total 12 19516.2 0 38

Opponents 9 14616.2 0 25

Fumble Returns no. yds avg td lg

Leilon Willingham 1 3030.0 1 30

Total 1 3030.0 1 30

Opponents 1 -3 -3.0 0 0

Rushing g att gain loss net avg td lg avg/g

Tromaine Dennis 4 49 224 9 215 4.4 4 29 53.8

Quentin Hildreth 4 37 139 12 127 3.4 0 16 31.8

Will Jefferson Jr. 4 1 14 0 1414.0 0 14 3.5

Robert Holland 1 3 6 1 5 1.7 0 5 5.0

Dimitri Stimphil 4 1 3 0 3 3.0 0 3 0.8

Waylon Lolotai 4 1 3 0 3 3.0 0 3 0.8

TEAM 1 1 0 2 -2 -2.0 0 0 -2.0

Mason Puckett 4 1 0 14 -14 -14. 0 0 -3.5

Seth Lobato 4 14 16 67 -51 -3.6 0 11 -12.8

Total 4 108 405 105 300 2.8 4 29 75.0

Opponents 4 172 731 69 662 3.8 8 40165.5

Passing g efficcomp-att-in pct yds td lg avg/g

Seth Lobato 4100.76 73-144-4 50.7 875 2 56218.8

Matt Baca 4 -19.33 1-3-1 33.3 5 0 5 1.2

Total 4 98.31 74-147-5 50.3 880 2 56220.0

Opponents 4132.14 81-123-5 65.9 854 6 49213.5

Receiving g no. yds avg td lg avg/g

Jace Davis 3 17 203 11.9 0 29 67.7

Dominic Gunn 4 11 159 14.5 0 56 39.8

Dimitri Stimphil 4 10 156 15.6 2 46 39.0

Will Jefferson Jr. 4 9 108 12.0 0 19 27.0

Chris Morris 2 8 75 9.4 0 13 37.5

Tromaine Dennis 4 6 42 7.0 0 16 10.5

Austin Wilbers 4 5 32 6.4 0 8 8.0

Doug Steele 4 4 52 13.0 0 24 13.0

Quentin Hildreth 4 2 9 4.5 0 5 2.2

Darin McDonald 4 1 33 33.0 0 33 8.2

Isiah Cooper 2 1 11 11.0 0 11 5.5

Total 4 74 880 11.9 2 56220.0

Opponents 4 81 854 10.5 6 49213.5

Punt Returns no. yds avg td lg

Dominic Gunn 10 22022.0 1 74

Total 10 22022.0 1 74

Opponents 7 54 7.7 0 19

Interceptions no. yds avg td lg

Jordan Bible 2 0 0.0 0 0

Courtney Hall 2 0 0.0 0 0

Clarence Bumpas 1 0 0.0 0 0

Total 5 0 0.0 0 0

Opponents 5 19 3.8 1 24

Kick Returns no. yds avg td lg

Dominic Gunn 10 13513.5 0 20

Will Jefferson Jr. 2 6030.0 0 38

Total 12 19516.2 0 38

Opponents 9 14616.2 0 25

Fumble Returns no. yds avg td lg

Leilon Willingham 1 3030.0 1 30

Total 1 3030.0 1 30

Opponents 1 -3 -3.0 0 0

NORTHERN COLORADO STATS n WEEK 6 n THROUGH SEPT. 22

Northern Colorado FootballNorthern Colorado Game Results (as of Sep 29, 2012)

All games

Date Opponent Score Overall Conference Time Attend

Aug 30, 2012 at Utah L 0-41 0-1 0-0 3:00 45273

Sep 08, 2012 COLORADO MESA W 40-3 1-1 0-0 3:01 5136

Sep 15, 2012 at Sacramento State L 17-28 1-2 0-0 2:58 7408

* Sep 22, 2012 at #2 Montana State L 16-41 1-3 0-1 3:04 hrs 18637

Northern Colorado Football

Northern Colorado Overall Defensive Statistics (as of Sep 29, 2012)All games

Tackles Sacks Pass defense Fumbles blkd

## Defensive Leaders gp ua a tot tfl/yds no-yds int-yds brup qbh rcv-yds ff kick

56 Clarence Bumpas 4 25 16 41 3.0-11 1.0-8 1-0 . 1 . . .

52 Herve Tonye-Tonye 4 4 17 21 1.5-5 . . . . . 1 .

32 Marcel Gibbons 4 15 6 21 . . . 3 . . . .

49 Gavin Miller 4 7 13 20 3.0-5 . . . . . . .

30 Jordan Bible 4 12 5 17 1.0-2 . 2-0 . . . . .

94 Lexington Smith 4 7 10 17 . . . . . . . .

22 Mykel Morse 3 17 . 17 1.0-2 . . 3 . . . .

51 Cameron Friend 4 10 7 17 . . . . . . . .

23 Tyler Dogins 4 10 6 16 0.5-1 . . . . . . 1

5 Leilon Willingham 4 8 7 15 1.0-1 . . 1 . 1-30 . .

42 Kyle Griffin 4 8 5 13 . . . . . . . .

99 Marcus Lucas 4 5 7 12 2.0-9 1.0-3 . . . . . .

27 Dominick Sierra 4 5 4 9 1.0-2 . . . . . . .

48 Ryan Holmes 4 3 6 9 . . . . . . . .

96 Sean Alexander 3 3 5 8 1.0-1 . . . . . . .

28 Timi Niweigha 4 6 2 8 . . . . . . . .

11 Courtney Hall 4 7 1 8 1.0-1 . 2-0 . 1 . 1 .

46 Conor Sparacio 4 2 5 7 1.0-2 . . . . . . .

8 James Davis 4 3 4 7 . . . . . . . .

50 Cody Gilmore 4 1 4 5 . . . . . . . .

45 Matt Gackle 3 . 4 4 . . . . . 1-0 . .

91 Devontae Chapple 1 . 4 4 . . . 1 . . . .

93 Isiah Jones 4 1 2 3 1.0-4 1.0-4 . . . . . .

26 Lawon Benford 2 . 2 2 . . . . . . . .

13 Aisea Vave 4 1 1 2 . . . . . . . .

86 Derek Vander Velde 3 1 1 2 . . . . . . . .

53 Curtis Truett 4 . 2 2 . . . . . . . .

92 Chris Urbaniak 3 . 2 2 . . . . . . . .

33 Quentin Hildreth 4 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .

47 Austin Wilbers 4 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .

21 Isiah Cooper 2 . 1 1 . . . . . . . .

16 Dominic Gunn 4 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .

1 Will Jefferson Jr. 4 . 1 1 . . . . . . . .

7 Finnis Caldwell 4 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .

20 Emanuel Hamilton 3 1 . 1 . . . . . . . .

Total 4 166 150 316 18-46 3-15 5-0 8 2 2-30 2 1

Opponents 4 110 152 262 25-100 8-58 5-19 17 14 3--3 5 1

4

GAME 3: MONTANA

NORTHERN COLORADO1-3 OVERALL n 0-1 BIG SKY CONFERENCENO. NAME POS. HT. WT. CL. EXP. HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL)1 Will Jefferson Jr. WR 6-1 195 Jr. TR Moreno Valley, Calif. (Colorado/Vista Del Lago)2 Marcell Peoples WR 5-9 171 So. 1V Corona, Calif. (Santiago)3 Dimitri Stimphil WR 5-8 173 So. 1V Homestead, Fla. (South Dade Senior)4 Thomas Singleton DB 5-10 169 Fr. HS Aurora, Colo. (Cherokee Trail)5 Leilon Willingham LB 6-0 244 So. TR Denver, Colo. (Central Florida/Mullen)7 Finnis Caldwell DB 5-11 184 Sr. SQ Stockton, Calif. (Delta CC/Edison)8 James Davis DB 5-10 173 So. 1V Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern)9 Seth Lobato QB 6-5 230 Jr. 1V Eaton, Colo. (Colorado/Eaton)10 Matt Baca QB 6-0 215 Sr. 1V Chino Hills, Calif. (Ayala)11 Courtney Hall DB 5-9 159 So. 1V Pompano Beach, Fla. (Blanche Ely)13 Aisea Vave DE 6-2 255 Sr. 1V Kahalui, Hawai’i (Mesa CC/Meridian HS(Idaho))14 Dave Eden K/P 5-11 183 Jr. 2V Westminster, Colo. (Standley Lake)14 Tareq Abulebbeh DB 5-10 190 Fr. HS San Diego, Calif. (Kearny)15 Sean Rubalcaba QB 6-2 179 Fr. HS Grand Junction, Colo. (Grand Junction)16 Dominic Gunn WR 5-11 170 Sr. 2V Aurora, Colo. (Rangeview)17 Tim Tancik QB 5-9 179 Jr. SQ Denver, Colo. (Mullen)18 Chris Morris WR 6-2 182 Sr. 3V Burbank, Calif. (John Burroughs)19 Dajuan Mack WR 6-1 231 Jr. RS Lakewood, Colo. (Fort Hays State/Bear Creek)20 Emanuel Hamilton DB 5-8 181 Jr. JC San Jacinto, Calif. (Mt. San Jacinto JC/San Jacinto)21 Isiah Cooper WR 5-8 154 Fr. RS Bowling Green, Ky. (Denver Montbello)22 Mykel Morse DB 5-11 172 So. JC Parker, Colo. (Scottsdale CC/Chaparral)23 Tyler Dogins DB 5-10 200 Jr. JC Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield JC/Ridgeview)24 Landon Ecker DB 6-1 173 Fr. HS Fort Collins, Colo. (Fossil Ridge )24 Christian Reddick RB 5-10 186 Jr. RS Chicago, Ill. (Wartburg Coll./Wheaton Academy)25 Jace Davis WR 6-0 209 Jr. 2V Lone Tree, Colo. (Denver East)26 Lawon Benford DB 6-1 188 Fr. HS Denver, Colo. (Thomas Jefferson)27 Dominick Sierra LB 6-0 218 Jr. JC Norwalk, Calif. (Cerritos Coll./La Habra)28 Timi Niweigha S 6-1 188 Jr. JC San Jose, Calif. (San Jose CC/Oak Grove)29 JaQueal Walker LB 6-2 211 Fr. RS Plaquemine, La. (Newman Smith {TX})30 Jordan Bible S 5-8 191 Sr. 3V Aurora, Colo. (Cherokee Trail)31 Tromaine Dennis RB 5-11 205 Jr. JC Jersey City, N.J. (Butte College/Dickinson)32 Marcel Gibbons S 5-11 189 Sr. 3V Colorado Springs, Colo. (Mesa Ridge)33 Quentin Hildreth RB 5-7 205 Jr. 1V Aurora, Colo. (Colorado/Denver East)34 Brandon Miller LB 5-9 225 Fr. HS Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Central)35 Raymond Ndjonok-Tonye FB 5-10 217 Jr. TR Montréal, Quebec, Can. (Alcorn St./Cégep du Vieux)36 Robert Holland RB 5-11 204 So. 1V Golden, Colo. (Golden)37 Mason Walters DB 5-11 197 So. HS Colorado Springs, Colo. (Palmer)38 Taylor Risner DB 6-2 195 Fr. HS Wiggins, Colo. (Wiggins)39 Ernest Marshall RB 5-10 208 Fr. RS Oakland, Calif. (McClymonds)40 Mason Puckett K 5-11 194 Sr. 3V Mililani, Hawai’i (Aiea)41 Lavell Sanders LB 6-1 208 Fr. HS Compton, Calif. (Dominguez)42 Kyle Griffin SS 6-2 204 So. 1V Arvada, Colo. (Ralston Valley)43 Ryan Gackle FB 6-1 254 So. 1V Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Classical Academy)44 Quinn Zamora FB 6-1 225 Fr. HS Palisade, Colo. (Palisade)

5

NO. NAME POS. HT. WT. CL. EXP. HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL)45 Matt Gackle DL 6-0 278 So. SQ Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Classical Academy)46 Conor Sparacio DL 6-1 231 Jr. 2V Aurora, Colo. (Smoky Hill)47 Austin Wilbers TE 6-2 229 Jr. 1V Englewood, Colo. (Cherry Creek)48 Ryan Holmes DE 6-1 245 Jr. 1V Scottsdale, Ariz. (Chaparral)49 Gavin Miller DE 6-2 244 Jr. 2V Greeley, Colo. (Greeley West)50 Cody Gilmore OL 6-3 303 Sr. 3V Aurora, Colo. (Grandview)51 Cameron Friend LB 6-0 227 Sr. 3V Denver, Colo. (Mullen)52 Hervé Tonye-Tonye LB 6-0 237 Sr. TR Montréal, Quebec, Can. (Alcorn St./Cégep du Vieux)53 Curtis Truett LB 6-0 217 Sr. SQ Aurora, Colo. (Smoky Hill)54 Hawk Hanoa OL 6-0 279 Fr. RS Honolulu, Hawai’i (Kamehameha)55 Marcus Forward II LB 6-1 207 Fr. HS Flint, Mich. (Flint Northern)56 Clarence Bumpas LB 6-2 236 Jr. 1V Colorado Springs, Colo. (Kansas State/Sierra)57 Jake Solomon OL 6-4 299 Sr. 1V Gilbert, Ariz. (Mesa CC/Mesquite)58 A.J. Isenburg LB 5-11 205 Fr. HS Littleton, Colo. (Valor Christian)61 Jesse Holzmer P/K 5-11 192 Fr. HS Colorado Springs, Colo. (Rampart)62 Joseph Turner OT 6-4 275 Fr. HS Oxnard, Calif. (Oxnard)63 Tyler Wilemon OT 6-4 303 Fr. HS Laguna Nigel, Calif. (Dana Hills)64 Zak Thrall OL 6-3 305 Jr. SQ Eagle, Colo. (Eagle Valley)65 Tyler Olker OL 6-0 298 Jr. JC Spring Grove, Ill. (Coll. of DuPage/Richmond-Burton)66 Nathan Shepherd OL 6-3 291 Fr. HS Sedalia, Colo. (Castleview)67 Austin Hendrickson OL 6-4 272 Fr. HS Arvada, Colo. (Arvada West)70 Sean McGill OT 6-7 265 Fr. HS Tigard, Ore. (Southridge)71 Chris Anderson OL 6-4 290 Sr. 2V Valencia, Calif. (Santa Barbara CC/Hart)72 Rick Aversano OL 6-3 274 Sr. 2V Santa Clarita, Calif. (Santa Barbara CC/Hart)74 Sean Palinckx OL 6-7 291 Fr. RS Parker, Colo. (Ponderosa)75 Filipo Mose OT 6-6 304 Fr. RS Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Poly)76 Marcus Piechowski OL 6-5 285 Fr. HS Westlake Village, Calif. (Oaks Christian)77 Nick Candler OT 6-5 289 Sr. 2V Boulder, Colo. (Boulder)78 Joe Carroll OL 6-2 284 Jr. TR Denver, Colo. (CSU-Pueblo/Mullen)79 Conner Pawlak OL 6-2 296 So. SQ Glenwood Springs, Colo. (Glenwood Springs)80 A.J. Battle WR 6-1 160 So. HS Denver, Colo. (Denver South)81 Ben Cary WR 6-1 189 So. SQ Greeley, Colo. (Northridge)82 Waylon Lolotai TE 6-2 258 Jr. TR Lafayette, Colo. (Hawai’i/Centaurus)83 Sean Leslie WR 6-3 198 Fr. RS Arvada, Colo. (Arvada West)84 Doug Steele TE 6-3 258 Sr. 2V Tucson, Ariz. (Pima CC/Canyon Del Oro)85 Darin McDonald TE 6-1 226 Sr. 1V Greenwood Village, Colo. (Wyoming/Cherry Creek)86 Derek Vander Velde WR 6-4 199 Fr. RS Littleton, Colo. (Dakota Ridge)87 Stephen Miller WR 6-3 180 Fr. HS Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Valor Christian)88 Sawyere Monson TE 6-4 239 So. SQ Aurora, Colo. (Cherokee Trail)89 Christian Remmo TE 6-4 237 Fr. RS Loveland, Colo. (Fairview)90 Myles Overton DT 6-3 320 Fr. HS Flint, Mich. (Carman Ainsworth)91 Devontae Chapple DT 6-5 275 So. 1V Denver, Colo. (Northglenn)92 Chris Urbaniak DE 6-3 260 Fr. RS Colorado Springs, Colo. (Palmer)93 Isiah Jones DE 6-2 246 Jr. JC Placentia, Calif. (Fullerton Coll./El Dorado)94 Lexington Smith DT 6-4 288 So. 1V Denver, Colo. (Denver East)96 Sean Alexander DL 6-4 274 Jr. RS Katy, Texas (Air Force/Katy)97 Jim Ulerick DT 6-1 287 Fr. HS Kokomo, Ind. (Maconaquah)98 Cody Russell DE 6-5 241 Fr. HS Fort Collins, Colo. (Fossil Ridge)99 Marcus Lucas DE 6-3 235 Sr. 3V Aurora, Colo. (Rangeview)

6

GAME 3: MONTANA

MONTANA2-3 OVERALL n 0-2 BIG SKY CONFERENCENO. NAME POS. HT. WT. CL. EXP. HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL)1 Anthony Goodwin CB 6-1 190 Jr. JC Temecula, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio JC)2 Taylor Walcott WR 6-0 175 Fr. HS Eugene, Ore. (Marist HS)3 Sean Murray CB 6-1 195 Jr. 2V Corona, Calif. (Santiago HS)4 Brett Kirschner RB 5-10 195 So. 1V Bellevue, Wash. (Interlake HS)5 Chase Naccarato WR/Ret. 5-8 160 Fr. HS Spokane, Wash., (Mt. Spokane HS) 6 Adam Brzeczek QB 6-0 195 Fr. TR/RS Queen Creek, Ariz. (Queen Creek HS)7 Ellis Henderson WR 6-0 185 Fr. TR Portland, Ore. (Hawaii) 8 Sam Gratton WR/Hol. 6-0 198 Sr. 3V Billings, Mont. (Senior HS)9 Jacob Coogan Safety 6-2 205 Jr. JC San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern College)11 Nate Harris CB 5-10 180 Fr. RS Chino, Calif. (Chino Hills HS)11 Trent McKinney QB 6-0 198 Fr. RS Mililani, Hawaii (Mililani HS)12 Matt Hermanson Safety 6-1 192 So. 1V Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington HS)13 Zach Gratton Safety 6-1 185 Fr. RS Billings, Mont. (Senior HS)13 Spencer Hale WR 5-11 180 So. SQ Missoula, Mont. (Hellgate HS)14 Josh Dennard CB 5-11 180 So. 1V Phoenix, Ariz. (Brophy Prep)17 Gerald Kemp WR 6-2 215 Sr. 3V San Diego, Calif. (Rancho Bernardo HS)19 Shay Smithwick-Hann QB 6-4 214 So. 1V Kalispell, Mont. (Glacier HS)20 Herbert Gamboa Safety 6-1 215 Fr. HS San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente HS)21 Joey Counts RB 5-9 220 Fr. HS Mesa, Ariz. (Desert Ridge HS)23 Cam Warren WR 5-7 160 Jr. 1V Bellevue, Wash. (Bellevue HS) 24 Steven Rominger Safety 5-10 186 Jr. 2V Missoula, Mont. (Sentinel HS)25 Marlon Miles CB 5-9 170 Jr. SQ Portland, Ore. (Western Michigan)26 Jordan Canada RB 5-9 172 So. 1V Duarte, Calif. (South Hills HS)28 Peter Nguyen RB/Ret. 5-8 182 Sr. 3V Seattle, Wash. (Bellevue HS)29 Bryce Carver WR 6-1 180 Sr. 3V Dillon, Mont. (Beaverhead County HS)30 Bo Tully Safety 6-2 197 Jr. 2V Spokane, Wash. (Mead HS)31 Justin Whitted CB 6-1 188 Fr. RS Los Angeles, Calif. (St. Bernard HS)32 Adam DeBruycker Safety 6-1 195 Fr. RS Choteau, Mont. (Choteau HS) 33 Connor Lebsock Safety 6-2 198 Fr. RS Billings, Mont. (Skyview HS)34 Jacob Elder RB 5-9 190 Fr. RS Helena, Mont. (Capital HS)35 Dan Moore FB/RB 5-11 235 Sr. 3V Tucson, Ariz. (Mountain View HS)36 Gavin Hagfors TE 6-2 212 Fr. RS Great Falls, Mont. (C.M. Russell HS)37 Jordan Tripp LB/Snaps 6-3 ½ 244 Jr. 2V/RS Missoula, Mont. (Big Sky HS)38 Nelo Butler RB 5-9 205 Fr. RS Helena, Mont. (Helena HS)39 Jake Dallaserra WR 5-11 180 Fr. RS Butte, Mont. (Butte HS)40 Nick Holt LB 6-0 215 Fr. TR Seattle, Wash. U of Washington)41 Caleb Walden RB/P 5-9 198 Sr. 1V Boise, Idaho (Capital HS)42 Kelsey Lippert LB 6-0 215 Fr. RS Fort Benton, Mont. (Fort Benton HS)43 Brian Maus LB/Snaps 6-2 232 So. SQ Missoula, Mont. (Sentinel HS)44 Caleb Kidder DT 6-5 260 Fr. HS Helena, Mont. (Capital HS)46 Clay Pierson TE 6-3 239 Jr. 2V Twin Bridges, Mont. (Twin Bridges HS)47 Derek Crittenden DE 6-3 250 Fr. RS Whitefish, Mont. (Whitefish HS)

7

NO. NAME POS. HT. WT. CL. EXP. HOMETOWN (LAST SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL)48 Jonathan Richards WLB 6-3 208 Fr. RS Butte, Mont. (Butte Central HS)49 Addison Owen SLB 6-2 220 Fr. RS Vancouver, Wash. (Camas HS)52 John Kanongata’a SLB 5-11 230 Jr. 2V Bellevue, Wash. (Bellevue HS)53 Josh Stuberg MLB 6-2 233 Sr. 3V Helena, Mont. (Helena HS)54 Trevor Rehm DT 6-3 244 So. SQ Dillon, Mont. (Beaverhead Co. HS)56 Brock Coyle MLB 6-2 240 Jr. 2V Bozeman, Mont. (Bozeman HS)58 Zack Wagenmann DE 6-3 ½ 240 So. 1V Missoula, Mont. (Sentinel HS)61 Shawn Bradshaw DT 6-3 256 So. SQ Missoula, Mont. (Sentinel HS)63 Brett Brauer OC/Snaps 6-2 261 Sr. 1V Missoula, Mont. (Big Sky HS)65 Jordan Hines OG 6-4 295 Jr. SQ Phoenix, Ariz. (Phoenix College)66 Logan Hines OC 6-4 291 Jr. SQ Phoenix, Ariz. (Phoenix College) 69 Kjelby Oiland OC/Snaps 6-4 295 Jr. 1V Spokane, Wash. (Ferris HS)72 Trevor Poole OT 6-5 290 So. 1V Spokane, Wash. (Ferris HS)73 Samson Kaleikini OG 6-5 280 Fr. RS Kapolei, Hawaii (Kapolei HS)74 John Schmaing OT 6-7 285 Fr. RS Billings, Mont. (Senior HS)75 William Poehls OG 6-8 320 Jr. 2V Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler HS)76 Danny Kistler Jr. OT 6-8 325 Jr. 2V Seattle, Wash. (O’Dea HS)77 Jake Hendrickson OG 6-3 ½ 300 Sr. 1V/RS Gilbert, Ariz. (Scottsdale CC)80 Sean Haynes WR 6-3 190 So. 1V Los Angeles, Calif. (Bishop Alemany HS)81 Mitch Saylor WR 6-5 217 So. 1V Vancouver, Wash. (Union HS)82 Jacob Haas TE 6-5 225 Sr. 2V Portland, Ore. (Central Catholic HS)84 Kevin Berland WR 5-9 175 So. SQ Missoula, Mont. (Loyola HS)85 Hayden Craig TE 6-5 246 Fr. HS Dayton, Ore. (Dayton HS)86 Greg Hardy TE/Snaps 6-5 245 Sr. 3V Fairview, Mont. (Fairview HS)87 Chris Lider K 6-1 200 Fr. RS Bellevue, Wash. Sammamish HS)88 Stephen Shaw P 6-3 235 Fr. RS Boise, Idaho (Capital HS)89 Aschan Richards TE 6-6 227 Fr. RS Butte, Mont. (Butte Central HS)91 Tyrone Holmes DE 6-4 245 Fr. HS Eagle Point, Ore. (Eagle Point HS)92 Alex Bienemann DT 6-2 295 Jr. 2V Denver, Colo. (Regis Jesuit HS)94 Harrison Greenberg K 5-8 155 Fr. HS Lake Oswego, Ore. (Lake Oswego HS)95 Tonga Takai DT 6-2 301 So. 1V Waipahu, Hawaii (Damien Mem. HS)96 Josh Harris DE 6-5 251 Sr. 2V Kalispell, Mont. (Flathead HS) 99 Jesse Ginn DT 6-5 305 Fr. RS Missoula, Mont. (Hellgate HS)

Head coach: Mick Delaney (Western Montana, 1964); Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks: Timm Rosenbach (Washington State, 2005); Defensive coordinator/linebackers: Ty Gregorak (Colorado, 2001); Assistant head coach/offensive line: Scott Gragg (Montana 1995); Wide receivers: Shalon Baker (Montana, 1995); Defensive line: Legi Suiaunoa, (Nevada, 2002); Corner-backs: Aric Williams (Oregon State, 2005); Running backs/recruiting coordinator: Justin Green (Montana, 2011); Strength and conditioning: Rob Oviatt (Alabama, 1980); Safeties: Leon Burnett (Southwestern College, Kansas, 1965); Tight ends/special teams: Kefense Hynson (Willamette, 2003); Assistant special teams: Ross Brunelle (Montana, 2007)

8

GAME 3: MONTANA

STARTING LINEUP PROBABLES

WHEN NORTHERN COLORADO IS ON OFFENSE

WHEN NORTHERN COLORADO IS ON DEFENSE

WR#25

DAVIS

TE#84

STEELE

OLB#37

TRIPP

FS#12

HERMANSON

SS#30

TULLY

RT#74

PALINCKX

ILB#56

COYLE

RG#71

ANDERSON

DE#96

HARRIS

C#64

THRALL

NT#92

BIENEMANN

NT#95

TAKAI

QB#9

LOBATO WR#1

JEFFERSON

RB#33

HILDRETH

LG#72

AVERSANO

DE#58

WAGENMANN

LT#77

CANDLER

SLB#J. KANONGATA’A

IMLAY

WR#3

STIMPHIL

CB#3

MURRAY

CB#1

GOODWIN

CB#22

MORSE

WR#7

HENDERSON

TE#86

HARDY

LT#72

POOLE

RE#49

MILLER

LG#77

HENDRICKSON

RT#50

GILMORE

C#69

OILAND

QB#15

MCKINNEY

RB#28

NGUYEN

NG#94

SMITH

RG#75

POEHLS

LE#99

LUCAS

RT#76

KISTLER

CB#32

GIBBONS

WR#29

CARVER

WR#8

GRATTON

SLB#5

WILLINGHAM

SS#28

NIWEIGHA

MLB#56

BUMPAS

FS#30

BIBLE

WLB#52

TONYE-TONYE

42

FROM THE COVER

CONTINUES ON PG 44

GOTTAHAVE

FAITHThe obstacles have been plenty for Bears senior linebacker Cameron Friend,

but his patience and belief have led him to a leadership position at UNC

By Zach Bond | Northern Colorado Athletics Communications

C ameron Friend is one of four captains on the Northern Colorado football team, and there’s

probably no one on the roster better suited for the role.

A captain’s job is to lead teammates by example, showing other players how to act—both on the field and off—and making teammates believe there is no adversity or obstacle too large to get in the way of a goal.

On the field, Friend plays and acts like a captain, as he’s one of the only Bears to have four years of playing experience under his belt.

Off the field, he has found his faith and used it over-come some rather looming obstacles.

Diagnosed with degenerative nerve damage as a youth, Friend has suffered from continued hearing loss from a young age and is now legally deaf. But instead of letting his disability hold him back, the Denver native has used it to lift himself up, and everybody else around him, too.

Friend’s story picks up at Mullen High School, where he starred at linebacker and received plenty of attention from colleges around the country until he injured his

knee his junior year. All that national attention started to dry up, until Northern Colorado happily realized it had found a hidden gem in its own backyard.

“God just laid out a plan for me,” Friend says. “I got hurt during my junior year but everything led up to where I am now. Northern Colorado was where God wanted me to be, and I am thankful for it. All the coaches have been amazing, and I’ve really gotten a chance to grow here.”

Friend came to Northern Colorado and really began his faith development during his first year with the Bears—a year in which he would redshirt on the foot-ball field. Over the next five years, Friend has become involved in a number of organizations that provide an outlet for Christian athletes. After first getting involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) during his first year at Northern Colorado, Friend became more and more involved—even participating an the Ultimate

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44

FROM THE COVER

Training Camp (UTC) during the summer to help learn how to blend competitive sports with his faith.

These organizations have given Friend a way to share his story with others across the nation.

During one particular UTC in Oregon, his story gave another camp participant, a track and field athlete from the University of Oregon, the inspiration to completely change her life. She was trying to decide whether or not to switch her major to audiology but after listening to Friend talk about his life, she quickly made the decision and began to focus on audiology.

“It is an amazing feeling to go up there and tell your story and then have somebody come to you afterwards and tell you how much your story impacted them”

While his work for FCA and UTC has profoundly impact-ed Friend’s faith, his interaction with this current Bears’ coaches has also helped him along his journey.

“I’ve had amazing coaches during my whole time here,” Friend says. “But one thing that is different about Coach [Earnest] Collins is that he is so strong in his faith. It helps me so much to be able to come to anyone on this staff if I have a question and just know that they can help me with whatever I need.”

Friend’s story and leadership ability is apparent in everything he does, especially on the football field.

“Cameron is a guy that leads by example,” says Terrence Robinson, Northern Colorado’s director of football opera-tions. “He doesn’t necessarily always do it vocally, but just watching him—his persona on and off the field—he’s just a great guy to be around.

“If you ever need anything, you can go to him and he’ll talk to you about anything. He even comes by the offensive coaches’ offices just to talk—not even about football sometimes. He’s just a great guy. He takes care of his business; he’s a very smart individual and has a great passion about everything he does.”

After redshirting his first year with the Bears, Friend stepped into the spotlight as a redshirt-freshman.

With the Bears suffering from some injuries at lineback-er, Friend was pushed into a starting role during his first collegiate game. If that wasn’t enough pressure, that first game took place in Lawrence, Kan., home of the Big 12’s Kansas Jayhawks.

“That [first game] was pretty intense,” Friend says. “It was crazy for me to be able to go out there, my first game ever, and play against a Big 12 team. I just wanted to help my team wherever I could. Those first few games were crazy.”

He performed admirably, notching a season-high six tackles in the place of injured All-Big Sky performer John Eddy.

He then continued to start for then-coach Scott Downing during the first four games of the season as the rest of the linebackers continued to heal. During that four game stretch, Friend tallied 18 tackles and 1.5 for loss.

During his sophomore season, Friend continued his progression toward becoming one of the Bears’ best linebackers, playing in all 11 games and tallying 34 total tackles and two tackles for loss.

But last season, his junior campaign, was his real coming-out-party as he inserted himself as one of the leaders of the Bears’ defense. His efforts, along with those of Clarence Bumpas and others, helped make the Bears’ group of linebackers one of the best in the Big Sky.

Friend finished last season second among the Bears in total tackles (93) despite missing a game. He also notched four tackles for loss and a sack. His most surpris-ing stat, though, may have been the fact that he led the team with three interceptions—showing his diversity and ability to defend the pass—with two of those coming against instate-rival Colorado State.

His strong play in the middle of the Northern Colorado defense earned him the recognition of the Big Sky Conference last season, as he was named an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention selection, and gave him more of a platform to assert his voice in the locker room as he tried to inspire his teammates with his attitude and faith.

“I just want my teammates to see that it’s all about overcoming adversity,” Friend says. “I hope that I can show them that there is nothing we can’t overcome as a team. I just want to see us grow and learn to overcome.”

So far this year, Friend, with 17 total tackles, continues to push forward, serving as an example for his team of how to turn a potentially devastating disability into something to use as a tool to lead.

And now, with his career at Northern Colorado nearing an end, Friend will have to decide what the next step in his journey will be. He’s considered entering a seminary, serving in another way, or continuing his football career.

Regardless, he knows he has seven games left to leave his legacy in Greeley.

“In these last seven games, I just want to see our team continue to get better,” he says. “I feel like we’ve come together as a group this year. Now it’s time to learn how to overcome that adversity that we will see during a game and get some wins.”

46

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

Born: Dec. 6, 1989, in BoulderFamily: Parents (Rob and Jeanne) and one brother (Billy). In the classroom: A two-time Big Sky All-Aca-demic Team selection (2010, 2011).

NICK CANDLER

Northern Colorado senior Nick Candler has been on the hot corner for much of the past three seasons as the Bears’ starting left tackle every game since the beginning of his sophomore year.

He’s played one of the most important positions on the field, but many Northern Colorado Football fans probably know little about him—such is the life of an offensive tackle.

So, Bears Gameday got with Candler before he suits it up for his final homecoming to see what makes the big man tick.

SENIOR n OFFENSIVE TACKLE n BOULDER n 6-5 n 289 n 26 CAREER STARTSBEARS GAMEDAY: “First off, a softball. How’s your senior year going?”

NICK CANDLER: “It’s going really well. I’m really enjoying it—just knowing that I can give it all I’ve got until there’s nothing in the tank left. So, I’m just focused on having a good year and playing my hardest.”

BG: “Let’s get a little introspective here. What’s been running through your head lately as you enter the home stretch of your career. How have you seen yourself grow here at UNC?”

NC: “I just want to finish strong, really. I’ve grown a lot on the field, in just my ability to take the coaching, probably, and be willing to listen and be open to what the coaches have to say. I’ve learned to take what they’re saying out of the criticism and not let the way it’s delivered affect me.

“Off the field, a lot of it is connected with what goes on in football—struggling through adver-sity, going back to deciding who I am as a person and really critically looking at that and growing from that self-analysis.”

BG: “You’re one of the captains of this team this year, which carries its own level of prestige but also responsibility. How has it been being one of the guys always looked to for leadership?”

NC: “I don’t really know how guys look at me. I always try and hold people to a high standard and be positive and to always have my head up. I think that positivity is critical to success in whatever you do, so I just try to kind of keep that in mind.”

47

BG: “You’ve got an impressive streak going of 26 straight starts at Northern Colorado. Do you take extra pride in that, knowing that you’ve been able to fight through “football pain” and always be out there when the first kick goes off?”

NC: Well, for about 15 of those games I’ve been pretty healthy. When you’re healthy you’re fine. You’re always going to be hurting [in football], but there was a while there where I was hurting pretty bad, fighting injury, and, you know, you’ve just got to kind of toughen up, and that’s what an offensive lineman does. Unless you just can’t physically play, you just try to make it happen. That’s my mind-set.”

BG: “And playing off that, you have another streak in the works, being a two-time Big Sky All-Aca-demic selection. Talk about balancing the student side of being a student-athlete.”

NC: “You’ve just got to approach everything with your best intentions of doing well at it. If it’s the classroom or if it’s football ... just approaching the task at hand, believing that you are going to be successful at it.”

BG: “Talk about being the Bears’ left-tackle and handling the pressure that comes with that, being the main edge protector for the QB. It’s often con-sidered one of the most important positions on a football team (for those with a right-handed QB).”

NC: “The pressure’s definitely on. Over the years I’ve certainly made my fair share of mistakes, but you know that someone’s safety is in your hands, so you’ve got to take it really seriously. But, aside

from that, I’m just a competitor, so I’m less focused on the idea that I’ve got to protect someone and instead [I] just look at it as a battle with the guy in front of me. I’ve just got to win that battle.”

BG: “You’ve played under two coaches in your time with the Bears, and both seem to be completely different. How would you describe Coach Collins to potential future recruits?”

NC: “Coach Collins just demands a lot of you, which I think is great. He’s a fair man. He’s constantly analyzing himself and everyone else around him, trying to find the best way to grow and become better, and he’s just a competitor. He’s such a fierce competitor—and sometimes that comes out in his aggressiveness—but that’s kind of a double-edged sword. You can’t have it both ways, for him to have that fierce competitive nature and sometimes not have his emotions act up. So, I would say that him being emotional is a good thing.”

BG: “Last question: If this was Hollywood and you were able to write the script for this final year, how would it end for Nick Candler after all the ups-and-downs this program has had in your time here?”

NC: It would start [today] with an undefeated streak here, going out through the last seven games. Just for us to come together as a team after this kind of rough start. You know, we’ve played some of the best teams we’re going to play already, and we’ve still got some very hard opponents ahead of us, so it’s, at this point, just competing and hoping that everything falls in our direction.”

"You've just got to approach everything with your best intentions of doing well. If it's the classroom or if it's football ... just approaching the task at hand, believing

that you are going to be successful at it."