GREELEY — As quarterback Bryan Waggener walked off the practice field after a preseason scrimmage, he dripped sweat and oozed optimism.
“I want to come out and win the Big Sky,” said the junior college transfer from Citrus College in Glendora, Calif.
Considering the deep hibernation the Northern Colorado Bears have been in, that’s a pretty lofty goal. Coach Scott Downing is 2-21 in his first two seasons in Greeley. In a preseason poll, both the coaches and the media picked the Bears to finish last again in the rugged Big Sky Conference.
That poll put a sizable chip on the broad shoulders of the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Waggener.
“Those people haven’t seen us coming together like we have been,” said Waggener, who redshirted at Florida in 2006. “I can’t picture us having another season like they’ve been having here, no way.”
In 2007, the Bears averaged 11.3 points per game; their opponents averaged 34.6. UNC’s offense averaged 276.1 yards per game vs. 490.6 by the opposition. But Waggener’s confidence, command of the offense and razor-sharp passing skills have his teammates feeling frisky.
“We’ve changed tenfold from last year, and Bryan has inspired a lot of confidence,” said senior Ryan Chesla, a 6-5, 240-pound all-conference tight end who uses brute force to turn 5-yard passes into 10-yard gains.
In Downing’s first two seasons, starting quarterback was always in a state of flux. In 2006, Dominic Breazeale battled T.J. Swanson and Brian Wiedeman for the starting job. Last season, Breazeale and Indiana transfer Mike Vlahogeorge competed throughout fall practice and into the season for the starting job. But at last, stability has arrived.
“It helps like crazy,” Chesla said. “We had Bryan all spring. I worked with him in the summer and now at fall practice. Everybody is on the same page. He’s taken charge of the huddle. He knows the offense.”
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
ABOUT THE BEARS
Coach: Scott Downing (3rd season)
2007 records: 1-11, 1-7 Big Sky Conference
What’s new: Quarterback Bryan Waggener brings a strong arm and pocket presence to the offense and junior college transfer Alex Thompson gives him a speedy target at wide receiver. The offensive line should be stronger with Chris Jones moving from center to guard, and Tim McGraw snapping the ball. The Bears are counting on redshirt freshman Dominique Ceja to beef up a retooled defensive line.
What to look for: Enthusiasm and confidence is making a comeback in Greeley, but it will be tested early against Purdue, Texas State and Northern Arizona. A rebuilt offensive line must protect Waggener, and a defense built around solid linebackers and cornerbacks has to create turnovers and field position. Senior middle linebacker Cristian Sarmento is the heart of the defense.
2008 prediction: 4-7
Five players to watch
RB Tyrone (DC) Wilson – A 5-7, 200-pound package of power and surprising quickness.
TE Ryan Chesla – All-conference player with good hands; churns out yards after the catch.
WR Cory Fauver – Small but lightning quick, should be Waggener’s favorite target.
CB Quincy Wofford – The playmaker for an experienced secondary that will be tested and must come through.
DE John Eddy – Coming off a seven-sack season, he’ll have to anchor a rebuilt defensive line.
Projected starting lineup
Offense
QB No. 5 Bryan Waggener, Jr, 6-3, 235, Chino Hills, Calif.
TB No. 26 DC Wilson, Jr, 5-7, 200, Washington, D.C.
FB No. 35 Andrew Downing, Fr, 5-10, 235, Greeley
WR No. 18 Alex Thompson, Jr, 6-0, 185, La Verne, Calif.
WR No. 7 Cory Fauver, Sr, 5-9, 185, Colorado Springs
TE No. 9 Ryan Chesla, Sr, 6-5, 250, Colorado Springs
OT No. 62 Ryan Kemp, Jr, 6-3, 270, San Antonio, Texas
OG No. 73 Jacob Thornbrue, Sr, 6-6, 335, Oklahoma City, Okla.
C No. 57 Tim McGraw, So, 6-2, 275, Castle Rock
OG No.66 Chris Jones, Jr, 6-2, 275, Fort Collins
OT No. 78 Eric Christensen, Sr, 6-5, 280, Broomfield
Defense
LE No. 96 John Eddy, Jr, 6-3, 245, Greeley
LT No. 54 Dominique Ceja, RFR, 6-0, 290, Centennial
RT No. 94 Martin Awachie, Jr, 6-3, 240, Fort Collins
RE No. 91 Josh Mack, So, 6-3, 240, Pueblo
SLB No. 34 Logan Zabel, Jr, 6-2, 210, Miami, Okla.
MLB No. 22 Cristian Sarmento, Sr, 6-1, 220, Lakewood
WLB No. 47 Joe Kenney, Sr, 6-0, 210, Colorado Springs
CB No. 4 Myles Hayes, Sr, 6-0, 175, Aurora
ROV No. 39 Stephen Michon, Jr, 5-10, 185, Englewood
FS No. 11 Max Hewitt, So, 6-2, 205, Aurora
CB No. 3 Quincy Wofford, Jr, 6-2, 180, Pueblo
No. 25 Eric Brown, Sr, 5-10, 180, Aurora
Special Teams
FGK No. 24 Michael York, Jr, 6-2, 190, Greeley
KO No. 40 Zak Bigelow, So, 6-0, 190, Littleton
H No. 86 Jason Caprioli, Jr, 6-0, 175, Bakersfield, Calif.
P No. 37 Cameron Kaman, RFr, 6-0, 170, Overland Park
KR No. 25 Eric Brown, Sr, 5-10, 180, Aurora
PR No. 7 Cory Fauver, Jr, 5-9, 185, Colorado Springs
SS No. 73 Jacob Thornbrue, Sr, 6-6, 335, Oklahoma City, Okla.
LS No. 53 Chris Schardt, So, 6-3, 220, Colorado Springs
Schedule
Sept. 6 at Purdue 10 a.m.
Sept. 20 Texas State 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 N. Arizona 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Cal-Davis 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 Idaho State 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Weber State 1 p.m.
Oct. 25 Montana Noon
Nov. 1 at Montana State Noon
Nov. 8 Eastern Washington Noon
Nov. 15 at Sacramento St. 3 p.m.
Nov. 22 at Portland State 2 p.m.
Pivotal game: Northern Arizona, Sept. 27 at Greeley
The Lumberjacks routed the Bears 34-14 last season, so this will be a test to see how the Bears stack up against a quality Big Sky Conference team. It will be UNC’s third game of the season, so the bugs and butterflies should be gone. This game will set the tone and determine whether UNC truly is ready to be competitive week in and week out in the Big Sky.
