GREELEY — Even with his future as head coach in doubt, Northern Colorado’s Scott Downing is keeping an eye on the future as he preps the Bears (2-8, 1-6) for the season finale.
During the last few games, Downing has gotten a good look at a lot of the young players who will be the future of the program, even if he isn’t part of it.
While the main goal Saturday at Portland State is to get a Big Sky victory, Downing could also play more of his young players in what amounts to a meaningless game in the conference standings.
“We haven’t done anything where we are just going to take guys wholesale and put them in,” Downing said. “We have some young guys that we have been working into the lineup, and I think those guys are going to be very good players. I am very pleased with the youth of this program.”
— Read the full story at .
<!–
Downing said he has played his redshirt freshmen and sophomores more since October. Those players have started to work into the rotation more in the past couple games.
Although young players may see more playing time Saturday, UNC quarterback Dylan Orms said the priority is the same as it has been all season.
“We are going out there to win the game first and foremost,” Orms said. “They (the coaching staff) will do whatever they think is best to get that done, but I definitely feel like we’ll see some younger guys get in the game hopefully toward the end.
“But for the seniors and the older guys on the team, it is their last shot and we definitely want to go out with a win, and we’re definitely going to make sure they get out on the field and can accomplish that.”
Asked if he would play his younger kids more if the Bears were way up or way down in the game, Downing joked, “if were way up, sure.”
–>
