Box Score CHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State had the edge in yardage and time of possession and ran the most plays, but couldn't get the ball in the end zone as the University of Northern Colorado scored twice in the first quarter and hung on to slip past the Eagles 17-3 in the season opener for both teams played in Greeley on Saturday afternoon.

DJ Ralph completed 20 of 33 passes for 228 yards, with seven of those catches and 100 of those yards going to redshirt senior wideout Tommy Thomas as CSC outgained their Division I opponents 333-291 in total yards and secured 21 first downs to the Bears' 19, but the Eagles saw drives fizzle out in UNC's half of the field and only came away with points on only 1 of 3 red zone opportunities. 

Chadron State's defense had a strong season-opening showing, giving up 14 first quarter points but then allowing just 103 yards and three points in the final 45 minutes. Northern Colorado gained just 131 yards through the air. 

Northern Colorado jumped on the Eagles early in a first quarter that ended up making the difference. UNC initially scored during their second possession on a 60-yard pass from quarterback Peter Costelli to wide receiver Brayden Munroe, who was left open to catch the ball about 15 yards downfield and gallop the remaining 45 yards untouched to the end zone.   

The Bears used the final seven minutes of the first quarter to post their second TD, driving 91 yards in 14 plays. Costelli directed the drive, which included three third-down conversions, and ran the final 19 yards over the left side to the goal line for paydirt. Jacob Willig kicked both extra points, helping the hosts to their 14-0 lead.

Northern Colorado accumulated 188 of its final 291 yards during the two scoring drives.  The Eagles managed just 29 of their 333 total yards in the opening quarter, but outgained the Bears 304 to 103 in the next three frames while having trouble cashing in on promising opportunities.

The Eagles opened the second period with a 35-yard pass from Ralph that Thomas hauled down for a sensational, full-extension contested catch. Tailback Daytuawn Pearson gained 13 yards to the UNC 24 on the next play. However, the Eagles were soon called for offensive pass interference and were forced to attempt a 43-yard field goal that missed after a low snap from center.

The Bears had the ball for just three minutes during their only possession of the second quarter, but the ensuing punt saw the Eagles to take possession at their own three-yard line—97 yards from the Northern Colorado end zone. During the next nine-and-a-half minutes, Ralph completed four passes for 37 yards and ran the ball twice for 19 yards before the Eagles picked up another first down on a Brodie Eisenbraun eight-yard rush off a fake field goal attempt. It all put the Eagles in position for Wilson Yee to attempt a 40-yard field goal as time expired, but the Eagles remained scoreless at halftime when the kick veered to the right. 

The Eagles received the second half kickoff and put together another stellar drive, and the third time ended up being the charm. The march covered 62 yards in 12 plays, with Ralph completing four passes for 34 yards and tailback Quincey Ryker rushing twice for 15 yards to put the ball at the Northern Colorado seven. While a third-down UNC sack pushed the Eagles back slightly and forced another field goal attempt, Yee's 29-yard field goal attempt was good to put the Eagles on the board, 14-3.

The game was far from over. With 2:23 left in the third quarter, play was suspended for nearly two hours as a thunderstorm bringing lightning and rain took precedence. On the last play before the weather suspension, UNC quarterback Peter Costelli landed awkwardly after a clutch shoestring tackle from Dax Yeradi that saved a potential big gain on a scramble. Costelli had to be helped off the field and did not return to action when play resumed. 

When the action continued early in the fourth period, UNC's Aliou-Rocco Traore ran for 20 yards, helping set up Willig's 38-yard field goal that closed out the scoring. 

The Eagles had two more possessions, but turned the ball over on downs the first time in the red zone. After a 16-yard Ralph rush and 11-yard Rollin George III catch plus a UNC pass interference penalty, CSC eventually failed to convert a 4th-and-9 from the UNC 16. Then, with under three minutes to go, Ralph's desperation pass downfield was intercepted by the hosts' Derrick Jones for what was the game's only turnover, and UNC ran out the clock from there. 

Aside from Ralph and Thomas offensively, redshirt sophomore Garet Schlabs impressed with five receptions for 63 yards while making his first career start. At tailback, redshirt freshman Quincey Ryker led CSC in rushing with 14 carries for 47 yards.

Defensively, Yeradi and Logan O'Brien recorded six tackles apiece to pace the Eagles. On special teams, Griffin Clubb got a hand on Northern Colorado's first punt of the day, with the block leading to that kick only traveling 18 yards. 

Chadron State will be on the road again next Saturday, playing at Nebraska-Kearney for a 6 p.m. (MST) kickoff. It will be the second-ever meeting between the two teams with the "Good Life Trophy" on the line after UNK won 18-6 to take possession of the new traveling trophy in 2024. The Lopers defeated Wayne State 28-21 in their 2025 season opener last Thursday.