2012 Big Sky Conference Countdown: Northern Colorado

If there is one team in the Big Sky that's got nowhere to go but up, look no further than Greeley, Colorado and the Northern Colorado Bears.  2011 was not kind to the Bears, and despite the addition of a new head coach in Earnest Cooper, Jr., they did not win a single game last season.  They couldn't even beat Lindenwood, an NAIA school (now transitioning into NCAA Division II), that came into Greeley to open the Bears' season and escaped with a 22-20 upset victory.

If the Bears want to win their first game since 2010 (won at Portland State 35-30 on November 13, 2010), they'll have to improve on both sides of the football.  Offensively, one dimension was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable season in the form of their passing game.  The Bears bring back their leading passer, junior Seth Lobato, who threw for 2488 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.  However, leading receiver Patrick Walker, who had 84 catches for 1171 yards and 10 touchdowns, graduated, leaving the Bears short on production at wide receiver.

The one side of the ball that definitely should improve is their defense.  They gave up a dreadful 35 points a game last season.  But they do return their leaders in tackles, sacks, and interceptions.  Junior linebacker Clarence Bumpas led the Bears with 145 total tackles.  Sophomore defensive end Devontae Chappel recorded a team-high 5.5 sacks.  Senior linebacker Cameron Friend picked off three passes, and was also second on the team in total tackles with 93.

MY THOUGHTS: When you go 0-11 in a season, it's tough finding anything positive with a season like that.  As I said earlier, every bad season has it share of positives, like the play of certain players who stand out.  If the Bears can play hard enough in all their games this season, they can certainly win more than one game in 2012, and snap that embarrassing losing streak that dates back to that bad loss to a now-former NAIA school.

NEXT UP: Sacramento State

Photo credit: uncbears.com