What Is 2014 Northern Colorado Bears football

Overview

The 2014 Northern Colorado Bears football team represented the University of Northern Colorado during the 2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Big Sky Conference, the Bears struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3–8 overall record and a 2–6 mark in conference play.

Under the leadership of head coach Earnie Glance, the program was in its fourth season of rebuilding after transitioning from Division II. The team played its home games at Nottingham Field, a 8,500-seat stadium located on the university's campus in Greeley, Colorado.

• Record: The Bears posted a 3–8 overall record and a 2–6 conference record, placing them near the bottom of the Big Sky standings.
• Head Coach:Earnie Glance served as head coach, continuing his efforts to rebuild the program after taking over in 2011.
• Stadium: All home games were played at Nottingham Field, which underwent minor upgrades in 2013 to improve fan experience and field conditions.
• Offensive Output: The team averaged 19.5 points per game, ranking them among the lower-scoring offenses in the FCS that season.
• Defensive Struggles: Northern Colorado allowed an average of 32.1 points per game, highlighting significant challenges on the defensive side of the ball.

How It Works

The structure and operations of the 2014 Northern Colorado Bears football program followed standard NCAA Division I FCS guidelines, with specific emphasis on conference alignment, scheduling, and player development.

• Division: The Bears competed in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), the second-highest tier of college football in the U.S.
• Conference: As a member of the Big Sky Conference, Northern Colorado faced regional opponents such as Eastern Washington and Montana State.
• Roster Size: The team maintained a roster of approximately 85 scholarship players, in compliance with NCAA FCS limits.
• Recruiting: The program focused on recruiting junior college transfers and high school athletes from Colorado and surrounding states.
• Game Schedule: The Bears played 11 games in 2014, including six conference matchups and five non-conference contests.
• Coaching Staff: The support staff included position coaches for offense, defense, and special teams, all reporting to head coach Earnie Glance.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2014 season performance of the Northern Colorado Bears can be better understood by comparing key metrics with conference peers.

The table illustrates that Northern Colorado lagged behind most of its conference rivals in both scoring and defensive performance. While teams like Montana State and North Dakota achieved winning records, the Bears struggled to compete consistently, particularly in away games and against higher-ranked opponents.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a pivotal chapter in the ongoing development of the Northern Colorado football program, reflecting both challenges and areas for growth.

• Program Development: The season highlighted the need for stronger recruiting and player retention strategies to remain competitive in the Big Sky.
• Coaching Evaluation: Head coach Earnie Glance's leadership came under scrutiny, with calls for improvement after three subpar seasons.
• Facility Investment: Continued upgrades to Nottingham Field were seen as essential for attracting better talent and fans.
• Conference Relevance: Despite the record, Northern Colorado remained an active participant in one of the most competitive FCS conferences.
• Player Development: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, laying groundwork for future seasons.
• Community Engagement: The team maintained local support, with average home attendance around 4,200 fans per game.

The 2014 campaign underscored the challenges of sustaining a competitive FCS program at a mid-sized university. While results were disappointing, the season provided critical insights for future planning and long-term success.