Can the Northern Colorado Bears Football Team Turn Their Season Around This Year?

As I sit here watching replays of last night’s boxing match, one moment keeps replaying in my mind: the way Suarez’s powerful left opened that gash above Navarrete’s eye, leaving him bloodied for the rest of the 12-round bout. It’s a brutal but telling moment—one that speaks to how quickly momentum can shift, how a single blow can redefine an entire contest. And honestly, it makes me think about the Northern Colorado Bears football team. I’ve followed this program for years, and right now, they’re in a position not unlike Navarrete’s: battered, maybe a little stunned, but still standing. The question on everyone’s mind—and one I’ve been turning over myself—is whether they can turn their season around this year.

Let’s be real for a second. Last season was rough. The Bears finished with a 3-8 record, and if you break it down, their offense averaged just 18.7 points per game while the defense gave up an average of 31.2. Those numbers aren’t just bad—they’re the kind that make you wince. I remember watching their game against Weber State last October; they started strong but fell apart in the second half, giving up 21 unanswered points. It felt like watching a fighter who’d taken one too many hits, struggling to keep their guard up. But here’s the thing: I’ve seen teams come back from worse. Back in 2016, Eastern Washington turned a 2-5 start into a playoff berth, and I can’t help but wonder if Northern Colorado has that same kind of resilience in them this year.

Part of what gives me hope is the coaching staff. Head coach Ed McCaffrey, who took over in 2020, brings a level of NFL experience that’s rare at this level. I had the chance to speak with him briefly at a fundraiser last spring, and what struck me wasn’t just his knowledge of the game, but his belief in this group. He talked about building a “next-play mentality”—something that reminds me of how boxers have to shake off a bad round and refocus. And honestly, I think that mindset is starting to show. In their offseason workouts, players have reportedly improved their strength metrics across the board, with the offensive line adding an average of 12 pounds of muscle per player. That might not sound like much, but in the trenches, it can be the difference between a two-yard gain and a breakout run.

Then there’s the quarterback situation. Last year, they rotated between two guys, and neither really found a rhythm. But this spring, I’ve heard whispers that freshman QB Jake Smith—a three-star recruit out of Texas—is turning heads in practice. I’m told he’s completed roughly 68% of his passes in scrimmages, with only two interceptions in 150 attempts. Now, I know practice stats can be misleading, but if even half of that translates to game day, it could change everything. Think about it: a reliable passing game opens up the run, keeps defenses honest, and maybe, just maybe, gives them the kind of offensive spark they’ve been missing.

Of course, none of that matters if the defense doesn’t step up. Last season, they struggled with missed tackles—I counted at least 15 in their game against Montana alone—and their red-zone defense ranked near the bottom of the Big Sky Conference. But here’s where I see a glimmer of hope: the return of senior linebacker James Thompson, who missed most of last year with an ACL tear. When he’s healthy, he’s a force. I remember watching him in 2021, when he racked up 92 tackles and 5 sacks. If he can get back to even 80% of that form, it’s like adding a new weapon to the arsenal. Defense, much like boxing, is about timing and aggression, and Thompson brings both.

Now, I don’t want to sound overly optimistic. The schedule isn’t doing them any favors. They open against Colorado State, an FBS team that’s likely to be favored by at least three touchdowns. Then it’s a stretch of conference games that includes powerhouses like Montana State and Sacramento State. It’s a gauntlet, plain and simple. But you know what? Sometimes, a tough start can galvanize a team. I’ve seen it happen. Back in 2018, the Bears started 0-4 but rallied to win four of their last seven. It’s about weathering those early blows, much like Navarrete did in that bout—bleeding but not breaking.

What it really comes down to, in my view, is leadership. Not just from the coaches, but from the players. I’ve been around this program long enough to know that the teams that turn things around are the ones with a core group of veterans who refuse to quit. Guys like senior wide receiver Marcus Johnson, who’s been through the highs and lows and still shows up every day with a chip on his shoulder. I spoke to him after a practice last month, and he told me, “We’re tired of being the underdog. It’s time to write a different story.” That kind of attitude is infectious, and if it spreads through the locker room, watch out.

So, can they turn it around? I think they can. Will they? That’s harder to say. The odds aren’t in their favor—most preseason projections I’ve seen have them finishing somewhere between 7th and 9th in the conference. But sports, like boxing, are unpredictable. One solid left hook, one breakout performance, and everything can change. For the Bears, it might be a surprise win early in the season, or a freshman stepping up when it matters most. Whatever it is, I’ll be watching, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that comeback stories are the ones worth telling. And something tells me this team has one in them.