Interceptions sink UNC football in Big Sky Conference loss at Eastern Washington

University of Northern Colorado football quarterbacks combined for five interceptions while Eastern Washington quarterback Jake Schakel turned in a stellar Saturday for the Eagles in a - Big Sky Conference win over the Bears at Roos Field in Cheney Washington The loss is the fifth in a row this season for the Bears and their th straight to Eastern Washington - overall - which received a strong performance from redshirt freshman Schakel Schakel was of passing for yards with two touchdowns and an interception that set up UNC s only touchdown He left the battle late with an apparent injury and was replaced by freshman Kaden Rolfsness UNC - - couldn t get anything going on offense against the Eagles who allowed UNC its fewest points in a event this season The Bears came into the tournament averaging points per match Starting quarterback Eric Gibson Jr threw two interceptions in the first half and Peter Costelli threw three picks including one that set up an Eastern Washington touchdown for a - lead late in the second quarter Costelli s third interception came on the final play of the championship UNC had four other turnovers on downs I think the tale of the day was the interceptions Lamb explained Four of those five passes were to wide receivers in one-on-one opportunities We didn t win in those moments Not all of the interceptions were the type where they were bad decisions We didn t win in those situations Lamb mentioned earlier this week that both Gibson Jr and Costelli would see action against Eastern Washington while the band looked for one quarterback to help the Bears get a win Costelli was the starter coming out of preseason camp but he suffered a fractured collarbone in the opener against Chadron State and missed the next seven weeks Gibson Jr took over and generally performed well giving the Bears more of an offensive presence than they previously had in Lamb s time as head coach Lamb stated this week the coaches longed better decisions from the quarterbacks Gibson Jr was of passing for yards with a touchdown and the pair of interceptions Costelli was of for yards and the three interceptions UNC s touchown came early in the second quarter and was set up by a long interception return from safety Cam Chapa The Bears defensive line pressured Schakel on play forcing the quarterback into an errant throw in his own territory Chapa picked off the ball at UNC s and returned it yards to Eastern Washington s A personal foul penalty on Eastern Washington moved the ball to the as the first quarter ended Two plays later Gibson Jr rolled out and connected with wide receiver Carver Cheeks for a touchdown reception Cheeks caught the ball at the and did the rest to get inside the end zone pylon for the points The touchdown was Cheeks team-high sixth receiving touchdown this season He came away from the play holding his right arm or shoulder and appeared to be seeking attention on the sideline Cheeks returned to the field and finished the encounter with five catches for yards Brayden Munroe led UNC with six catches for yards The competition turned chippy in the second half UNC picked up a -yard unsportsmanlike penalty after Allen III s touchdown Eastern Washington was called for two -yard unsportsmanlike penalties later in the quarter after Eagles safety Isaac Redford picked off Costelli for Eastern Washington s fourth interception of the day Late in the third UNC defensive lineman Dominic Butts hit Schakel as the quarterback threw the ball No penalty was called on Butts on the hit Schakel was shaken up on the play and he left the battle An Eastern Washington member was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for a hit on Butts forcing the junior from Severance High School to the sideline Eastern Washington was called for another unsportsmanlike penalty a couple of plays later on short run by Rolfsness on third down One of UNC s turnovers came early in the fourth quarter on a short-yardage fourth-down attempt at Eastern Washington s -yard line The play also led to Lamb picking up an uncharacteristic unsportsmanlike penalty The Bears lined up for a tush-push run play with former quarterback now tight end Hank Gibbs carrying the ball Representatives ruled Gibbs didn t get into the end zone on the play Lamb declared he received conflicting opinions from authorities on the outcome of the play One official notified Lamb that Gibbs never got into the end zone and another official reported Gibbs forward progress was stopped UNC burned a time out while Lamb looked for more information on the call the Bears then challenged The on-field call was upheld I didn t do it with enough composure Lamb noted of his inquiry I was upset We made a second effort to get in and I thought it should ve been ruled a touchdown I regret it and I regret the way I handled it Eastern Washington UNC UNC - - - Eastern Washington - - - st Q EWU Soren McKee field goal - nd Q UNC Carver Cheeks reception from Eric Gibson Jr - nd Q EWU Cole Pruett reception from Jake Schakel Soren McKee kick - nd Q EWU Nolan Ulm reception from Schakel McKee kick - nd Q EWU McKee field goal - d Q EWU Kevin Allen III run McKee kick -