GREELEY — There was no chance Northern Colorado’s bad-news Bears would emerge in the final minutes Saturday. No chance the Bears would suffer another heartbreaking defeat.
Not with the Bears finally playing up to their potential, dominating Idaho State in the first half en route to a 29-9 victory on a misty, bone-chilling day at Nottingham Field.
“To finally win a game fairly decisively was huge for our morale,” said quarterback Bryan Waggener, who broke through with his first victory in a UNC uniform. “Everyone is pretty excited right now. It’s awesome.”
UNC (1-4, 1-1 Big Sky) snapped a seven-game losing streak dating back to last season. In each of the last three games, UNC discovered a painful way to lose in the final minutes.
Undeterred, the Bears racked up 403 yards of offense Saturday, 249 in the first half.
“I think the way we lost those games gave us a little extra motivation,” said sophomore safety Max Hewitt, who came away with two interceptions. “I think it put a chip on our shoulder, and I think it brought us closer together as a team. Last year we weren’t even used to being in games.”
The Bears trampled Idaho State for 265 yards rushing. D.C. Wilson gained 125 yards on 15 carries, most of it coming on a 75-yard run up the gut early in the second quarter, putting UNC in control, 27-7.
Hapless ISU (0-6, 0-3) lost its 10th straight. The Bengals, haunted by a porous defense, have been outscored 236-130 this season.
Action in the scoreless second half slowed to a crawl as increasingly slick conditions and a morass of penalties bogged down both teams. The teams combined for 22 penalties for 181 yards.
There were three safeties in the game, which ties a Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) record.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
