Nov. 13, 2005

GREELEY, Colo. - The University of Northern Colorado football team forced six turnovers and after Sam Houston State scored the game's first three points, scored 24 unanswered points of their own on the way to a 24-3 victory on Senior Day at Nottingham Field.

After being shutout at North Dakota State 44-0 last weekend, Northern Colorado (4-5) responded in a big way, holding Sam Houston State (3-6) to 239 total yards, including only 82 on the ground, after allowing 272 rushing yards to the Bison in Fargo.

The game was the final home contest for nine seniors: Reed Doughty, Shaun Farner, Bradley Forbush, Chris Gebhardt, Greg Gebhardt, Nick Hager, Brandon Joseph, Paul Sweitzer and Justin Zaitz. The group finished their careers 17-5 all-time at Nottingham Field.

A pair of those seniors came up huge defensively, as Doughty, I-AA's leader in tackles (14.1/game) had 13 tackles (including two for a loss), a pair of interceptions and a pass breakup. Greg Gebhardt ended his home career by also nabbing two interceptions.

Playing in place of the team's leading rusher Andre Wilson, redshirt freshman Patrick Ealy had a career-high 104 yards on 22 carries, including a 53-yard touchdown in the third quarter that cemented the victory. Wilson, I-AA's fourth leading rusher, missed his second consecutive week of action.

"Our defense played with excitement today," head coach Kay Dalton said. "Our team did what we had to do today. It is a great win for us."

Sam Houston State scored the game's first points, on a 32-yard field goal by Lance Garner. But in an opposite of last year's game in Huntsville (which SHSU won 20-7), the team that scored first would not score again.

Zaitz evened the game with a 43-yard field goal at the 5:12 mark of the second quarter. An Andy Birkel 14-yard reception from Nick Hager 1:40 before halftime put Northern Colorado up for good.

After Ealy's run, Hager connected with Cory Sleeth for a 69-yard touchdown to cap the scoring. Hager finished the day 14-for-32 with 210 yards and the two touchdowns. Sleeth caught four balls for 105 yards. Hager completed passes to seven different players.

The Bearkats got 58 yards rushing from Jason Godfrey while quarterback Wade Pate was 13-for-33 for 152 yards but threw four picks.

Northern Colorado is on the road at Great West Conference foe South Dakota State next Saturday (12 p.m. MT).