The University of Northern Colorado Bears football program is currently savoring a well‑earned July 4 recess after a grueling stretch of offseason drills. Players have been released to enjoy the holiday before reconvening on campus for a second round of workouts that will bridge the gap to the start of training camp later in July. The rhythm of the break underscores a schedule that will soon see the Bears open their 12‑game regular season against Weber State on August 28, a matchup that promises to set the tone for the campaign.
A Summer of Change for the Bears
Head coach Ed Lamb has been vocal about the team’s trajectory, noting that the Bears are “exponentially better” than they were at this point a year ago. The coaching staff is overseeing a quarterback competition that has drawn considerable attention. While senior Kenny Lueth currently holds the starting spot, sophomores and a handful of transfers are pushing for the role. Freshmen Zeke Andrews and Caeden Reeder arrived in June, joining a pool that also includes Brayten Silbor, Keegan Patterson and Gavin Lockett, all of whom are receiving ample repetitions in practice.
Beyond the field, the Bears have been active in the Greeley community, lending a hand at the Greeley Stampede concerts and engaging with local fans. The offseason work has also been a chance for players like Hudson Voggesser, a linebacker from Loveland, to step away and spend time with family in Wyoming, a reminder that the program’s reach extends far beyond the campus borders.
Big Sky Spotlight and Upcoming Appearances
The coming weeks will also see head coach Ed Lamb and two of his players represent UNC at the Big Sky Football Kickoff Weekend in late July, an event that will bring together the conference’s coaches, players and media. The exposure comes as the Bears prepare to face a slate of opponents that includes traditional rivals and newcomers such as Middle Tennessee State, California University of Pennsylvania, Lehigh University and others, each bringing their own storylines into the mix.
With a 4‑8 record from last season and a 2‑6 mark in Big Sky play, the Bears are eager to rewrite the narrative. The optimism is palpable, and the roster moves — highlighted by the emergence of several promising arms and the continued development of players like Mathias Price, Aiden Tank, Justin Walterscheid, Preston Hadley, Maddox Broughton, Ezra Ekuban, Levi Johnson, Jack Ziebell and Blake Weslin — suggest a squad that could be poised for a turnaround.