2007 BIG SKY PREVIEW: Northern Colorado

[enicmt]

Bears go in with no excuses

Offense

Dominic Breazeale remains the starting quarterback and he has the talented Andy Birkel to throw to. Beyond that the Bears are scrambling. The only returning running back with a carry last year, converted defensive back Jeff Vaden, separated a shoulder Tuesday. Junior college transfer Tyrone Wilson has a leg injury that has kept him out. That leaves 5-foot-8 JC transfer David Woods and 5-7, heavily-tattooed freshman Andy Munz. The offensive line will lean heavily on three returnees: Sophomore Chris Jones and juniors Jacob Thornbrue and Eric Christensen. A new offense is in place, which could mean big things for Birkel, who missed last season with injuries after scoring 10 TDs in 2005.

Defense

The return of six starters should help the Bears, who are strong at linebacker and in the backfield. Cristian Sarmento and Asa Mathews are the leaders at linebacker, and Aaron Henderson will be one of the top corners in the league. The Bears were thinned up front by graduation, but nose tackle Vinny Pallone says watch out for 245-pound sophomore John Eddy on the edge. Pallone, a 300-pounder, hopes fellow tackle Ben Sibert, an oft-injured senior, can also contribute. Henderson - whom Pallone refers to as “Boom-Boom” - should get some help from transfer corner Quincy Wofford. Pallone said Wofford was timed at 4.3 seconds in the 40. “He's spooky,” said Pallone. “I keep saying if you think Northern Colorado is going to be a loser for 10 years, don't bet your house on it.”

Notable: The Bears' 56-15 record at Nottingham Field includes an 0-6 home mark last year.

Quotebook: “Someday it will happen - it's all going to click. If it's this year, that's great for me. And if it's not, whatever, I helped lay the bricks for this to happen.” - DT Vinny Pallone

Stud to watch: WR Andy Birkel (6-2, 200) started his career with Nebraska, and caught 50 balls for 907 yards upon his transfer to UNC in 2005. He took a medical redshirt last season.

Pay attention to: TE Clint Wright (6-5, 250). The senior had an excellent spring in new offensive coordinator Dennis Darnell's system.

Bear data

Forecast: Ninth by the coaches, ninth by the media

2006: 1-10, 0-8 in the Big Sky

Starters returning: 10

Coach: Scott Downing, 2nd season (1-10)

Quote: “We were going through the transition, we had all the excuses in the world not to win - and we didn't. I think that now that we're out of the transition and there are no excuses, (we) should be a lot better.” -Defensive tackle Vinny Pallone

Bottom line: Questions at quarterback and running back - career rushing leader Andre Wilson graduated - leave Northern Colorado's second year in the Big Sky looking like much like its first.

*missoulian*

[GoBears]

I agree with most of of this, I think our defense will be the stronger of our two units.

I love Pallone's quote about excuses, it shows a gret attitude.

Overall, I would expect us to pick up a couple more wins, but nothing spectacular.

[ronbo]

The Bears get a couple Big Sky wins at home this season.