Oct. 5, 2002

Final Stats

OMAHA, Neb. - The No. 19 ranked University of Northern Colorado football team need two overtimes, but they were finally able to win in Omaha, something they had not done in 11 prior games dating back to the 1975 season, winning 30-23 on Saturday.

In the process, UNC (4-1, 3-0 NCC) kept its North Central Conference record perfect to stay atop the standings.

UNO (2-4, 1-2 NCC) scored first when Brian Masek scored from one-yard out to put the Mavericks up 7-0 in quarter one. The Bears would answer at the beginning of the second quarter, when sophomore wide receiver Vincent Jackson hauled in a 27-yard pass from quarterback Mark Passard to help even the score.

UNC would not be done scoring in the second quarter as they would add two Mike Swim field goals, from 22 and 40-yards and held a 13-7 lead at the halftime break.

The Mavs tied the game on the first possession of the second half, when J.E. Johnson scored on a three-yard run. UNO's point after attempt failed, which would be an important factor for UNC later in the game.

That's when junior running back Adam Matthews went to work. Matthews scored on a four-yard run of the ensuing possession to push UNC back into the lead at 20-13. UNO would tie the game late in the fourth quarter, thanks to a two-yard scamper from Trey Guidry to even the game at 20.

UNO had one last chance to win the game, but kicker Troy Severson missed his second field goal of the game, this time from 35-yards to send the game into overtime.

Severson redeemed himself in the first overtime period, connecting from that identical spot of 35-yards to push the Mavericks into the lead. But Swim answered for the Bears, drilling a 26-yarder to send the game into a second overtime period.

In that overtime, UNC took possession and scored when Matthews went in from a yard out to push the advantage to 30-23. UNO had one final chance, but on fourth-and-goal from the eight yard line, their pass attempt was deflected giving UNC the victory.

Matthews rushed for a career-high 178 yards on the day to go along with his two scores, including a long-run of 35-yards. Junior quarterback Mark Passard completed 9-18 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Senior wide receiver Eric Nelson caught three balls on the day, bringing his career mark to 88, placing him 10th on the UNC career list for pass receptions.

Redshirt-freshman defensive back Reed Doughty was credited with 21 tackles (12 solo, 9 assisted) on the afternoon. Junior linebacker Cabel Rohloff added 15 tackles and recovered a fumble.

Sophomore punter Chad Harter punted six times on the afternoon, netting a 38.8 yard average with a long punt of 48-yards.

The game marked the first overtime contest for UNC since defeating Minnesota State 49-47 in four overtimes on October 17, 1998.

UNC travels to St. Cloud State next weekend for a Noon start. SCSU defeated Augustana 45-7 on Saturday and is tied for the NCC lead at 3-0 with UNC.