UNC to open 2021 season at CU

University of Northern Colorado head football coach Ed McCaffrey’s debut is expected to come against Colorado this September, according to its 2021 schedule.

The Bears will open the season on Friday, Sept. 3 against CU (4-2, 3-1 Pac-12) at Folsom Field. This game has reportedly been scheduled for several years.

The Bears will play two additional non-conference games, the UNC Athletics website indicates. They will travel to Texas on Sept. 11 to play Houston Baptist before returning to Greeley for its home opener on Sept. 18 against Lamar.

Northern Colorado will begin the Big Sky season on Sept. 25 when it hosts Northern Arizona, the conference announced last month. The team will play four home games and four road contests.

Times for each game will be announced in the weeks preceding the matchups.

UNC has not played a game with McCaffrey at the helm due to COVID-19. Northern Colorado announced his hiring in December 2019.

The team held a small number of practices in the spring of 2020 prior to the coronavirus shutdown. After the fall season was postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, the program held a small number of practices in hopes of par ticipating in the Big Sky spring football season.

UNC announced last month it would no longer play in the six-game conference season. McCaffrey told reporters that COVID19 and challenges stemming from the pandemic were the primar y reasons for canceling the spring season.

The Bears experienced a coronavirus outbreak at the end of Januar y — when the team was expected to begin practices — that forced the team to suspend all activities for about two weeks.

Not only did the football program receive numerous positive tests, the wrestling team and basketball teams were dealing with COVID19 issues.

The university also had concerns about staffing events, overall preparation for the season and the health of players if they played two seasons in one calendar year.

McCaffrey said too many variables made it dif ficult for UNC to provide the safest possible environment for its players and coaches.

The Bears are still working to develop a spring practice schedule that will allow two or three scrimmages with regional teams. Those details have not been announced.

UNC 2021 football schedule

Friday, Sept. 3 - Northern Colorado at Colorado

Saturday, Sept. 11 - Northern Colorado at Houston Baptist

Saturday, Sept. 18 - Lamar at Northern Colorado

Saturday, Sept. 25 - Northern Arizona at Northern Colorado

Saturday, Oct. 2 - Northern Colorado at Montana State

Saturday, Oct. 9 - Eastern Washington at Northern Colorado

Saturday, Oct. 16 - Northern Colorado at UC Davis

Saturday, Oct. 23 - Northern Colorado at Southern Utah

Saturday, Oct. 30 - Sacramento State at Northern Colorado

Saturday, Nov. 6 - Montana at Northern Colorado

Saturday, Nov. 13 - Northern Colorado bye week

Saturday, Nov. 20 - Northern Colorado at Weber State