Northern Colorado Ends Losing Streak in Season Finale; Portland State Fires Coach
Whatever Northern Colorado (UNC) did to prepare for their season finale, it worked. The Bears finally shook off a heavy five-game losing streak, closing out their 2025 season with a solid 24-13 victory over Portland State at Nottingham Field.
It was the kind of win the team desperately needed to head into the offseason with some pride intact. But while UNC was celebrating, things took a drastic turn on the other sideline. Almost immediately after the final whistle, Portland State announced they were parting ways with head coach Bruce Barnum.
How the Bears Turned It Around
This wasn’t a lucky win; UNC earned it on the ground. The game plan was clear: run the ball, and then run it some more. And it paid off beautifully.
Justin Guin was the star of the show. The running back looked unstoppable, racking up 115 yards on just nine carries. His 44-yard touchdown run was the highlight of the day, leaving defenders in the dust.
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Ground Game: It wasn’t just Guin. Brandon Johnson and Mathias Price also found the end zone, pushing the team’s total rushing yards to 215.
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Defense Stepped Up: You have to give credit to the defense, too. They held the Vikings to just 13 points and came up huge by blocking a field goal that could have shifted the momentum.
What This Win Means
For Northern Colorado, this victory is a breath of fresh air. Losing five games in a row can wreck a team’s spirit, but winning the last one changes the narrative. Now, instead of dwelling on a slump, they can focus on rebuilding during the break.
For Portland State, the loss was the final straw. A 1-11 record is tough for any program to swallow. Letting go of Coach Barnum signals that the university is ready to hit the reset button and start from scratch.
The Aftermath
So, where do they go from here?
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UNC: They finish the year 4-8. Not perfect, but ending on a high note gives them a platform to recruit new talent for 2026.
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Portland State: They are now on the hunt for a new leader. The search for a head coach starts right now, and fans will be waiting to see who steps in to fix the broken strategy.