A look at the Northern Colorado football team this season:
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
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.
2008 schedule
Sept. 6 at Purdue
Sept. 20 vs. Texas State
Sept. 27 vs. Northern Arizona
Oct. 4 at Cal-Davis
Oct. 11 vs. Idaho State
Oct. 18 at Weber State
Oct. 25 vs. Montana
Nov. 1 at Montana State
Nov. 8 vs. Eastern Washington
Nov. 15 at Sacramento State
Nov. 22 at Portland State
