GREELEY — When it comes to getting his Northern Colorado football team ready to play its 2015 schedule, coach Earnest Collins Jr. says focus on solutions is the way to answer any questions.
With the Bears’ Sept. 5 season opener against Western State on the horizon, Collins stayed true to this course. His interest is solving a dilemma at the quarterback position as well as getting UNC’s record on the upswing. The Bears are 9-36 overall and 6-28 in Big Sky Conference games in Collins’ four years at the helm.
“We have four quarterbacks and we’re giving them equal time in practice,” Collins said. “We want a leader at quarterback and a player who will be a coach on the field. This is the most competition we’ve had at the quarterback position. It’s that way at most of the positions on the team. Everybody’s fighting to stay on the field.”
Collins hopes to settle on one quarterback.
The uncertainty at quarterback was amplified when Sean Rubalcaba, the Bears’ starter at the position most of last season, transferred to Colorado Mesa after UNC’s spring camp.
Collins, meanwhile, lauded the fans who have stayed with the Bears. Home attendance has dwindled along with the team’s record. “Our true fans have been there no matter what,” the coach said.
Here is a look at UNC’s quarterbacks:
• Jon Newsom, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior, is from Foothill Ranch, Calif. Newsom has the most game experience. He played some last year and participated in spring camp.
“We have more athletes on the field this year and a lot of good players who didn’t play last year. I think we’re on the rise,” Newsom said.
• Jacob Knipp (6-4, 190) is a redshirt freshman from Arvada. Knipp also participated in spring camp.
“When Rubalcaba left, I knew it would create a big opportunity,” Knipp said. “I think we’ll surprise some people. We have a lot of new players that the opposition doesn’t know anything about. It’s going to be fun to see what we can do this year.”
• Brock Berglund (6-4, 214) is a senior from Highlands Ranch. He was injured last year but participated in spring camp. Has two years of eligibility remaining.
“I work on my craft every day,” Berglund said. “I go out every day and compete. There’s always an urgency to win games. That’s the mentality we have every day.”
• Kyle Sloter (6-4, 218) is a redshirt junior from Atlanta. He transferred from Southern Mississippi, where he played wide receiver. He’s still getting to know his UNC coaches and teammates.
“I’m a little bit behind, but I’m catching up,” Sloter said. “I’m learning the offense. I came here because they gave me the opportunity to play quarterback.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or
