The University of Northern Colorado broke several nasty streaks this week in notching their first ever Big Sky Conference win with a 16-13 victory over #19 Montana State at Nottingham Field in Greeley, CO. The Bears were on a 16 game loosing streak (the longest in school history) and an 8 game home loosing streak (the longest at Nottingham). This is the first home victory for second year head coach Scott Downing. With the win the Bears improve to 10-13-1 all time against MSU and 6-5 in Greeley. The game also marked the first successful field goal attempts of the season, with RS-Freshman kicker Zak Bigelow connecting on all three attempts from 25, 40, and 37 yards. The win did not come easily, as the Bears who lead for most of the second half, gave up a game tying touchdown with only 48 seconds remaining. However a 51 yard kickoff return by Cory Fauver followed by a 26 yard completion from Dominic Breazeale, to Ryan Chesla set up the final field goal with 8 seconds left on the clock.

Dan Daniel, a UNC alum and former Defensive Coordinator for the World Bowl Champion Hamburg Sea Devils will become a temporary defensive assistant at Northern Colorado this season. Daniel had received offers to coach at UNC during the off-season of NFL Europe, but did not want to spend so much time away from his family in Texas. However NFL Europe folded during this off-season, so he took some time to come back to his alma mater. He has a three month contract with the Bears which expires in November. Daniel should bring a voice of experience to a young Bears coaching staff as in addition to his time in NFL Europe, Daniel has coached for the Canadian Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs and Wyoming, Houston and Navy.

The Big Sky released the preseason coaches and media polls today. Montana was a unanimous selection for first place in both polls.

2007 Coaches Poll
Team (1st Pl. Votes) Points
1. Montana (8 ) 64
2. Portland State 55
3. Montana State (1) 47
4. Northern Arizona 42
5. Eastern Washington 41
6. Weber State 23
7. Sacramento State 22
8. Idaho State 21
9. Northern Colorado 8

2007 Media Poll
Team (1st Pl. Votes) Points
1. Montana (33) 297
2. Portland State 237
3. Northern Arizona 192
4. Montana State 190
5. Eastern Washington 166
6. Weber State 143
7. Sacramento State 89
8. Idaho State 86
9. Northern Colorado 43

From UNCBears.com
July 13, 2007
Greeley, COLO. -The National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Management Council Membership Subcommittee this week notified the University of Northern Colorado that the school has successfully completed the transition to Division I athletics and will be eligible for all postseason competition and conference championships beginning this fall.

It is the final step in a five-year process that began in 2002 when the university’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the move to Division I. Reclassification included Northern Colorado’s successful NCAA Division I certification, a comprehensive review of the Department of Athletics in the areas of governance and rules compliance, academic integrity, and equity and student-athlete welfare.

Full Article: http://uncbears.cstv.com/genrel/071307aaa.html