Missed opportunities doom Northern Colorado football at UC Davis

DAVIS, Calif. — There were plenty of opportunities for the University of Northern Colorado to gain momentum and keep the game close, but it fell short in turning those opportunities into points.

UNC (2-5, 1-3 Big Sky) dropped its third straight game Saturday night, 37-3, on the road at UC Davis (6-1, 3-1 Big Sky).

Despite what the numbers might indicate, the defense was key in keeping the Bears in the contest thanks to two interceptions and four sacks. It also managed to put pressure on Aggies quarterbacks and force them to throw less-than-ideal passes.

Junior linebacker Jace Bobo grabbed an interception in the first quarter, while junior defensive back Nick Ciccio recorded one of his own in the third.

“I thought we had some guys that really competed today,” UNC coach Ed McCaffrey said. “Defense did a fine job for a lot of the game, keeping us in it. On offense, I love some of the guys on our offense. There is a lot of fight in them.”

Unfortunately, most of the efforts were in vain, at least where the scoreboard is concerned.

After Bobo’s interception, the UNC offense turned the ball over on downs. Ciccio’s interception turned into a punt.

When the defense added its tackles and pressure, the Bears’ defense set the team up for potential success by stifling UC Davis momentum.

Unfortunately, questionable play calling and a struggling offense swindled most of the opportunities.

“Of course it’s a disappointment, but it’s a disappointment, not on the offense, not on the defense; it’s disappointment on the team,” said sophomore defensive lineman David Hoage. “We don’t point fingers at anybody. If offense doesn’t capitalize, then defense is supposed to. If defense doesn’t capitalize, then offense is supposed to. We’re a team. We don’t point fingers, or we try our best not to. We win as a team. We lose as a team, but we always stay as a team.”

Northern Colorado had roughly three field goal opportunities in the game, at least based on the distances of previously made field goals. Junior kicker Ben Raybon has recorded ones from 51 and 57 yards out. Still, the offense kept trying on fourth down. While teams want touchdowns — seven points is obviously more than three — sometimes just getting points on the board can make a difference.

UNC didn’t try for a field goal, and ultimately break the shutout, until halfway through the fourth quarter. Raybon scored from 44 yards out to give the team points.

McCaffrey stands by the decision not to try for field goals in earlier drives.

“I was told the range was 33 yards out,” McCaffrey said. “We only got inside of that one time, and we made a field goal.”

Overall, the Bears finished with just 11 first downs and 254 yards of offense. The defense held the Aggies to just under 200 yards at the half and at 398 total, less than UC Davis’ season average of nearly 428 yards.

UNC was without several starters, including sophomore wide receiver Kassidy Woods, graduate receiver Jonah Morris and some offensive linemen. Sophomore Joe Golden and junior RJ Potts started on the offense and defense.

McCaffrey said the team obviously didn’t perform well, but he saw a lot of grit and effort from the players who recently stepped in.

“We need to make sure that everyone’s bringing it every week, even the young guys that don’t have a lot of experience,” McCaffrey said. “There’s no nobody’s waiting for them to get better, and we’re getting great experience, but we need to get better quick.”