Nov. 23, 2002

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GREELEY, Colo. - After Central Missouri State scored 21 points in the games first five minutes, the University of Northern Colorado awoke and scored 42 unanswered points on its way to a 49-28 victory in the opening round of the 2002 Division II Football playoffs.

For UNC (11-1) their success came with the titanic effort of junior running back Adam Matthews who ran for 251 yards on the afternoon, setting UNC records for rushing yards in a single game and a playoff game and pushing him to 1,254 yards on the season which broke the UNC single season record. Both record were previously held by senior Tyler Hawkins who had his season cut short by a ACL injury earlier this season.

The game looked like it would be a blowout for Central Missouri State (10-2) as the Mules scored the game's first 21 points in less than five minutes. On the first play from scrimmage, wideout Don Robinson hooked up with Todd Devoe for a 80-yard touchdown pass off of a reverse only 22 seconds into the game. The Mules extended that lead to 14-0 after CMSU blocked Chad Harter's punt and Devoe recovered the ball and ran it in from seven-yards out.

UNC was forced to punt on its second possession and once again Central responded, as quarterback Dennis Gile connected with Mike Carter on a 76-yard pass off a flea-flicker to extend the lead to 21-0 at the 10:28 mark. In total, CMSU covered 156-yards on its first two plays from scrimmage, both resulting in touchdowns.

But as they have done all season, UNC responded quickly, as senior quarterback Mark Passard connected with Eric Nelson for a 29-yard touchdown pass two play later to cut the lead to 21-7.

CMSU was unable to mount much of an offensive threat the remainder of the first half and UNC got the ball back mid-way through the second quarter after a three-and-out Mules possession and Passard found sophomore wideout Vincent Jackson for a 45-yard completion. On the next play, fullback Ron Scott scored from one-yard out to cut the advantage to 21-14.

Central once again went three-and-out and UNC wasted little time tying the game, scoring its second touchdown in a span of 2:19 when Passard once again hit Nelson, this time for a 54-yard touchdown to even the game with 2:55 to play in the half.

But the Bears were not done scoring and after CMSU went three-and-out for the fourth consecutive possession, UNC needed only two plays before Matthews hit paydirt with a 23-yard touchdown run giving the Bears a 28-21 halftime lead.

On the seven touchdowns scored in the first half, not one time of possession was more than a minute for either team.

UNC wasted little time extending its advantage in the second half as Passard connected with Brad Pyatt, the transfer from the University of Kentucky, for a 21-yard touchdown pass three minutes into the third quarter. Five minutes later in the third, Matthews broke a 51-yard run for a touchdown to extend the lead to 42-21.

After the 42 unanswered points, Central's Nate Thomas returned a punt 79-yards to give the Mules their last score of the day. But Matthews had one run long run left in him, as he broke a 70-yarder, the eighth longest run from scrimmage in UNC history and the longest run in a playoff game for the Bears, to push the final score to 49-21.

After posting 156 yards on its first two plays from scrimmage, Central Missouri managed only 153 yards the rest of the game and finished with only 309 for the game.

UNC finished with 690 total yards of offense on the afternoon.

Passard finished the afternoon 14-26 for 326 yards, a UNC playoff record, and four touchdowns. Nelson caught four balls for 132 yards of total offense.

For Central, Gile finished the day 13-27 for 165 yards and a touchdown. Kegan Coleman was the Mules leading rusher, running for 75 yards on 19 carries.

UNC improved to 11-6 all-time in the NCAA Division II Playoffs and notched their first victory since defeating Pitt State 34-31 on November 20, 1999. The 49 points was the third most ever by the Bears in a playoff game, trailing only a 52-24 victory over North Dakota in 1998 and the 51-0 blanking of New Haven in the 1997 National Championship game.

Overall, the 49 points was the most the Bears had scored since torching St. Cloud State for 49 points on October 28, 2000.

With the win UNC, seeded No. 2 in the Midwest region, will advance to play No. 1 seed Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. next Saturday afternoon at a time to be announced. Northwest won a dramtic 45-41 game over No. 4 seed Minnesota-Duluth.