Bears Fall by One in the Opener, 30–29

Nottingham Field — Friday, Aug. 28

The UNC Bears opened the 2026 season with a heartbreaker, falling 30–29 to Weber State at Nottingham Field. Northern Colorado trailed most of the night but poured in 16 fourth-quarter points to nearly steal it at the end.

The Bears did their damage on the ground — 259 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns as a team — while quarterback Kenny Lueth went 20-of-33 for 226 yards and a touchdown through the air. Both teams open Big Sky play off the result, and the one-point margin says everything about how close this one was.