What Is 2017 Northern Colorado Bears football

Overview

The 2017 Northern Colorado Bears football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Big Sky Conference. It was the program's 127th season of football, with the Bears playing their home games at Nottingham Field in Greeley, Colorado.

Under the leadership of eighth-year head coach Earnest Collins Jr., the team struggled to find consistency, finishing the season with a 3–8 overall record and a 2–6 mark in conference play. Despite the losing record, the Bears showed flashes of competitiveness, particularly on offense, where quarterback Jacob Knott led the passing attack.

• Season record: The Bears finished with a 3–8 overall record and a 2–6 record in Big Sky Conference play, placing them near the bottom of the standings.
• Head coach: Earnest Collins Jr. was in his eighth season as head coach, having led the program since 2010, with ongoing efforts to rebuild competitiveness.
• Home stadium: The team played its home games at Nottingham Field, a 7,500-seat stadium located on the University of Northern Colorado campus.
• Offensive leader: Quarterback Jacob Knott started 10 games, throwing for 1,752 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions on a 54.8% completion rate.
• Defensive challenges: The Bears allowed an average of 35.6 points per game, ranking among the worst in the Big Sky Conference defensively.

Performance Breakdown

The 2017 season was marked by offensive struggles and defensive vulnerabilities across most games. While the Bears managed three wins, they were often outmatched by stronger conference opponents and failed to secure a postseason berth.

• Early-season loss: Northern Colorado opened the season with a 55–7 loss to FBS opponent Colorado State, highlighting the gap between FCS and FBS programs.
• First win: The Bears earned their first victory on September 16 with a 35–34 win over Western New Mexico, a non-conference opponent.
• Conference win: On October 21, Northern Colorado defeated Cal Poly 31–28, marking one of only two Big Sky wins during the season.
• Rivalry result: The Bears lost to in-state rival Weber State 45–14 on November 4, a game that underscored their difficulties against top-tier conference teams.
• Final game: The season concluded with a 44–10 loss to Eastern Washington, a team that advanced deep into the FCS playoffs.
• Key player: Running back Taylor Anderson rushed for 472 yards and 4 touchdowns, serving as the team’s primary ground threat.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Northern Colorado Bears compared to other Big Sky Conference teams in key statistical categories:

While Northern Colorado and Cal Poly shared similar records, the Bears slightly outscored Cal Poly but allowed more points. Eastern Washington and Weber State demonstrated stronger all-around performance, with both teams making playoff runs. The data reflects the Bears’ struggles in consistency and depth compared to mid-tier and top conference teams.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a transitional year that highlighted both the challenges and potential within the Northern Colorado football program. It served as a benchmark for future improvements and provided valuable experience for younger players entering the following seasons.

• Program development: The season underscored the need for deeper roster development and improved recruiting to compete in the increasingly competitive Big Sky.
• Coaching evaluation: With Collins in his eighth year, the 2017 record added pressure to show progress or consider leadership changes.
• Player growth: Young talent like Knott and Anderson gained critical starting experience that would shape future offensive strategies.
• Fan engagement: Despite a losing record, home games maintained moderate attendance, showing continued local support for the program.
• Scheduling impact: The lopsided loss to Colorado State reignited debate about the risks of FCS-FBS matchups for smaller programs.
• Conference parity: The season illustrated the growing competitiveness of the Big Sky, where even mid-tier teams could dominate on any given Saturday.

The 2017 campaign ultimately served as a learning experience, setting the stage for gradual improvements in the years to come as Northern Colorado sought to rebuild its football identity.