Northern Colorado Bears

Northern Colorado to face challenging schedule

Published Jan. 18, 2018 7:49 p.m. ET

(STATS) - Northern Colorado will face a strong nonconference schedule with the goal of being improved in the Big Sky next season.

All three of the Bears' opening opponents are coming off a winning season - a combined 24-11. They'll host McNeese (Sept. 1), travel to South Dakota (Sept. 8) and host Sacramento State (Sept. 15) - a matchup that won't count toward the Big Sky standings.

Coach Earnest Collins Jr.'s squad, which was 3-7 overall and 2-6 in the Big Sky last season, also will host conference opponents North Dakota (Sept. 29), UC Davis (Oct. 6), Northern Arizona (Oct. 20) and Eastern Washington (Nov. 3).

The Bears will be playing only FCS opponents for the first time since 2006.

2018 Northern Colorado schedule

Sept. 1, McNeese

Sept. 8, at South Dakota

Sept. 15, Sacramento State

Sept. 22, at Weber State*

Sept. 29, North Dakota*

Oct. 6, UC Davis*

Oct. 13, at Portland State*

Oct. 20, Northern Arizona*

Oct. 27, at Southern Utah*

Nov. 3, Eastern Washington*