What Is 2013 Northern Colorado Bears football

Overview

The 2013 Northern Colorado Bears football team represented the University of Northern Colorado during the 2013 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Big Sky Conference, the Bears were led by head coach Earnest Collins Jr., who was in his fifth year at the helm.

The team played its home games at Nottingham Field in Greeley, Colorado, and faced a challenging schedule that included several nationally ranked opponents. Despite showing improvement in some areas, the Bears struggled to maintain consistency throughout the season.

• Overall record: The Bears finished the season with a 4–7 win-loss record, marking a slight decline from their 5–6 performance in 2012.
• Conference performance: In Big Sky Conference play, Northern Colorado went 3–5, placing them in the lower half of the 13-team league standings.
• Head coach: Earnest Collins Jr. remained the head coach for his fifth consecutive season, aiming to build a competitive FCS program.
• Home stadium: All home games were played at Nottingham Field, a 7,500-seat stadium located on the university’s campus.
• Scoring output: The Bears scored 231 total points across 11 games, averaging 21.0 points per game while allowing 30.5 points per game on defense.

How It Works

The structure and operation of a college football season like Northern Colorado’s in 2013 involve scheduling, coaching decisions, player development, and conference alignment. Each element plays a role in shaping the team’s performance and long-term trajectory.

• Season length: The Bears played an 11-game regular season, which is standard for FCS teams not participating in postseason play.
• Conference affiliation: As a member of the Big Sky Conference since 2006, Northern Colorado faced teams such as Eastern Washington and Montana State.
• Roster composition: The 2013 roster included 88 players, with 22 seniors and 18 starters returning from the previous season.
• Offensive scheme: The team ran a spread offense under offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy, emphasizing quick passes and balanced rushing.
• Defensive strategy: The Bears utilized a 4–2–5 defensive alignment, designed to counter the pass-heavy offenses common in the Big Sky.
• Player eligibility: NCAA rules allowed student-athletes five years to complete four seasons of competition, with redshirt options available.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2013 Northern Colorado Bears compared to select Big Sky Conference peers in key performance metrics:

This table illustrates that while Northern Colorado was competitive in conference play, they trailed behind top-performing teams in scoring and defensive efficiency. Their point differential of –104 highlighted ongoing struggles on both sides of the ball, especially in road games where they went 1–5.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year for the Bears, reflecting broader challenges in building a consistent FCS program. It provided valuable experience for younger players and helped shape future recruiting and coaching strategies.

• Program development: The season underscored the need for improved recruiting to match the talent level of top Big Sky teams.
• Coaching evaluation: Earnest Collins Jr.'s leadership came under scrutiny, as the team failed to reach a winning record in five consecutive seasons.
• Facility limitations: Nottingham Field’s modest size and amenities compared poorly to those of rival programs, affecting recruitment.
• Conference parity: The Big Sky’s competitive balance made every game critical, with even lower-tier teams capable of upsets.
• Player development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, laying groundwork for future seasons.
• Fan engagement: Attendance averaged around 4,200 per home game, indicating room for growth in community support.

The 2013 campaign, while not a breakthrough, contributed to the long-term rebuilding efforts at Northern Colorado, setting the stage for incremental improvements in the years that followed.