Full Breakdown
Northern Colorado Bears Lose Nail-Biter in First Night Game at Nottingham Field
8/30/2026, 3:58:32 AM
Core Event – Night-time Thriller at Nottingham Field
The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) opened its 2026 football season with a 30-29 loss to Weber State on Friday night, the first night contest ever played at the 31-year-old Nottingham Field. With three seconds remaining, Weber State linebacker Zach Smith blocked a UNC extra-point attempt, preserving the Wildcats’ one-point margin. The Bears rallied late, scoring a touchdown on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Kenny Lueth to receiver Trey Olsen with three seconds left, but the blocked PAT ended the comeback.
Background & Context
Ninety-four years after Colorado’s inaugural college football night game at Jackson Field in 1932, the lights returned to Greeley for “Nottingham at Night.” The 1932 contest featured Colorado Teachers College (now UNC) defeating Fort Hays Kansas State College 7-0. A recent $1.6 million donor-funded lighting project installed color-changing LEDs at Nottingham Field, enabling the historic night setting. The game also marked UNC’s first season opener against a Big Sky Conference opponent and Weber State head coach Eric Kjar’s debut as a college head coach after a successful high-school career in Utah.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Weber State 30, UNC 29.
- Blocked PAT occurred with three seconds left.
- Attendance: 5,715 (stadium capacity ? 8,000).
- UNC quarterback Kenny Lueth: 226 passing yards (20-33), 90 rushing yards, two touchdowns.
- UNC rushing total: 259 yards on 46 attempts (5.6 yards per attempt) vs. Weber State 139 yards.
- Leading rusher Mathias Price: 106 yards on 17 carries, 31-yard touchdown run.
- Placekicker Benson Ashley missed the decisive PAT after contact was “too high” on the ball, according to coach Ed Lamb.
Official Statements & Responses
UNC head coach Ed Lamb said the missed extra-point and field goal were “different problems,” noting that low kicks and a low snap on the earlier field-goal attempt “ended up being the difference.”
UNC athletic-department administrator John Kietzmann confirmed the historical significance of the night game, noting the 1932 precedent and the recent lighting upgrade.
On-the-Ground Reports
Fans described an electric atmosphere. Safety Franky Morales said the new lights “were amazing” and “felt good,” while the crowd’s volume forced Lueth to shout play calls in the huddle. Student-section leader Brenget Ostlund, a Lambda Chi Alpha brother, urged “Northern Colorado needs more school spirit” and added, “We’re trying to change the culture here.” Tailgate activities included live music from the Honey Roses, cornhole, and a “black-out” t-shirt promotion sold by the university bookstore.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I saw Trey out there pressed with no safety help and so, just gotta give him the ball in his range there and let him go make a play,” — Kenny Lueth, quarterback
- “That ended up being the difference,” — Ed Lamb, UNC head coach
- “Northern Colorado needs more school spirit,” — Brenget Ostlund, student
- “We’re trying to change the culture here,” — Brenget Ostlund, student
What’s Next
UNC will continue its 2026 season with upcoming Big Sky matchups, building on the lessons from the night-time opener as the Bears seek to convert late-game resilience into victories.
