Northern Colorado Bears 2010 Review

2010 Record: 3-8 (2-6), 7th Big Sky
2010 Playoffs: None
2010 Schedule/Results
Adams State, W 54-0
@ Weber State, L 50-47
Idaho State, W 35-21
@ Michigan State, L 45-7
Montana, L 30-7
@ Sacramento State, L 42-7
Eastern Washington, L 35-28
@ Montana State, L 37-35
@ South Dakota, L 34-6
Northern Arizona, L 21-14
@ Portland State, W 35-30

OFFENSE
357.8 yards per game
Passing Leader: Dylan Orms, 2055 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INTs
Rushing Leader: Andre Harris, 690 yards, 10 TDs
Receiving Leaders: Jace Davis, 53-992-7; Patrick Walker, 37-570-6; Doug Steele, 12-265-3

The Bears were a tale of two offenses in 2010. Were they the offense that was held to 7 points in 3 straight games, and 14 or less 5 times, or were they the unit that went over 28 points in every other game? Dylan Orms did his best, but it has to be better in 2011, and only time will tell with a new coaching staff coming into place in Greeley. The rushing game also has to improve in total yards gained, but Harris' 10 TDs were impressive. The receiving corps was solid, and the good news is that the top three all return in 2011 for new HC Earnest Collins. Consistency, once again, is the word here. There was a lack of it, and that mid-season slump was brutal.

DEFENSE
398.5 yards per game allowed
Top Tackler: John Eddy, 100
Top TFL: Nick Hernon, 12
TOP Sacks: John Eddy, 4
Top INTs: Korey Askew, 3 (1 TD)
Top Passes Defended: Brandon Owens, 6

The Bears had the same issue on defense as they did on offense, but it was worse on this side of the ball. The Bears played a few games like they were on the brink of becoming a monster on D, but in 8 games, they completely imploded. In those 8 games, the Bears gave up 30 points or more in all of them. John Eddy was all over the field, but he had to be, as there were few others making plays other than he and Nick Hernon up front. The secondary got victimized at times, and the Bears fell apart more often than not.

SPECIAL TEAMS
FG: Mason Puckett, 4/8 FGs
Punting: Cameron Kaman, 40.41
Punt Returns: Dominic Gunn, 11.81 per return
Kick Returns: Dominic Gunn, 23.36 per return

There was little special about the PK game in 2010, as Mason Puckett was off the mark, and Dave Eden was even worse. This is an area that will need to be addressed big time in the spring.
Cameron Kaman was solid in the punting game, and his leg was one of the most effective weapons that the Bears had, sadly enough.
Gunn is a danger whenever touching the ball, and he will need tp push it to the next level in 2011, and actually start taking some returns to the house, as he is capable of doing so. If he manages that, then he will be amongst the elite return men in the country.

FINAL NOTES
The wheels came off of the wagon more times than not, and in the end it cost Scott Dowling his job. Earnest Collins was brought in from Alcorn State, but this is a hire that is hardly enough to inspire the faithful in Greeley, as his Alcorn State teams recently were nothing to write home about. Better candidates wanted the job, so there will be high scrutiny placed on Collons by whatever remains of the fan base.