Chargers RB Elijah Dotson among ‘Secret Superstars’ of preseason Week 1

Elijah Dotson raised some eyebrows in his NFL debut.

The Chargers ran wild in their preseason victory over the Rams on Saturday, finishing with 214 yards on the ground.

A key piece of their rushing attack was undrafted free agent Elijah Dotson. Dotson had 92 yards on six carries, including two long touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Dotson was one of Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar’s “Secret Superstars” from the first week of the preseason for his efforts.

Talk about an under-the-radar guy… Dotson spent four seasons as a secondary factor at Sacramento before moving to Northern Colorado and rushing for 935 yards and six touchdowns on 204 carries. That got him a shot with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent, and against the Rams on Saturday night, Dotson made more of that opportunity than anybody had a right to expect. He rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns… on just six carries and seven total snaps.

Dotson began his career at Sacramento State and was a two-time, first-team All-Big Sky selection. He was a graduate transfer to Northern Colorado last year, where he had 933 yards on the ground, led the team with 48 catches and had an 82-yard punt return touchdown.

As the Bolts build out their backfield, Dotson’s performance helped his cause. It remains to be seen if Los Angeles will roster three or four running backs, but if they’re to have four, Dotson could very well be in consideration for a spot if it keeps stacking up solid showings. At the very least, he should warrant a practice squad spot.

Wyoming vs Northern Colorado Prediction, Game Preview

Wyoming vs Northern Colorado game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 2 game on Saturday, September 10

Wyoming vs Northern Colorado prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 2, Saturday, September 10


Wyoming vs Northern Colorado How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 10
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, WY
How To Watch: Mountain West Network
Record: Wyoming (1-1), Northern Colorado (0-1)
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Wyoming vs Northern Colorado Game Preview

Why Northern Colorado Will Win

The Bears have an offense.

The defense is questionable – to be nice about it – but the offense should be able to throw and throw some more.

Tulsa’s Davis Brin hit Wyoming for 460 yards and three scores in the 40-37 double-overtime loss to the Cowboys, and now it’s the turn of the two big name Northern Colorado passers.

Former Washington Husky Jacob Sirmon and former Michigan Wolverine Dylan McCaffrey combined for 425 yards and four scores in the 46-34 loss to Houston Baptist. The O will keep winging it, but …

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Why Wyoming Will Win

The Northern Colorado defense – it’s an issue.

Houston Baptist has a strong offense, but it was unstoppable in the 46-34 win with over 300 passing yard and over 200 on the ground. The D forced four Bear takeaways.

Wyoming should dominate the turnover margin, QB Andrew Peasley should come up with another good game after spreading it around against Tulsa and pulling the game out of the fire.

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What’s Going To Happen

It’s Wyoming. It’s not going to give up 521 yards and for a second week in a row, but Northern Colorado will get its shots in.

There hasn’t been any consistency so far over the first two Cowboy games, and this one won’t make a whole lot of sense, either. Both offenses will move, but three takeaways will make things easier for the home side as it pulls away in the second half.

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Wyoming vs Northern Colorado Prediction, Line

Wyoming 38, Northern Colorado 13
Line: Wyoming -23, o/u: 45.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Wyoming vs Northern Colorado Must See Rating (out of 5): 1.5

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Northern Colorado QB Jacob Knipp’s Pro Day draws in Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers were represented at Northern Colorado’s Pro Day on Wednesday.

The quarterback position is one of the Chargers’ biggest needs this offseason. While big names like Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Utah State’s Jordan Love have been linked to the team the most, they’re still doing their homework on plenty of other signal-callers across the country.

Even if they haven’t received a lot of buzz, Los Angeles is still checking them out. In this case, they were in attendance for Northern Colorado’s Pro Day Wednesday to watch QB Jacob Knipp, according to The Draft Network’s Jordan Reid.

Knipp, the 6-foot-4 and 213 pounder played in 12 games during the 2019 season. He completed 61.1% of his passes for 2,869 yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

For his hard work and efforts at Northern Colorado, Knipp was invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, an annual all-star game played at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA.

Knipp is known for his big arm and his ability to make tight-window throws, but he has dealt with injuries throughout his collegiate career.

If the Chargers felt like he was a good fit for them, he projects as a Day 3 selection or priority free agent.

Ex-Broncos WR Ed McCaffrey named head football coach at the University of Northern Colorado

Former Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey has been named the head football coach at the University of Northern Colorado.

After serving as the head football coach for two seasons at Valor Christian High School, former Denver Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey announced Thursday that he has accepted the head coach position at the University of Northern Colorado.

“Thank you Valor Christian High School for all the wonderful memories you helped create for me and my family,” McCaffrey wrote on his Facebook page. “Especially the last two years where I was blessed to coach some of the smartest and hardest working young men in the country.

“I’m so proud of our players and the amazing coaching staff who joined me for the past two years. I am very excited to bring the same passion to this new opportunity with the UNC Bears.”

McCaffrey and his youngest son, Luke, a quarterback, led Valor to a 5A state championship in 2018. Overall, McCaffrey went 24-2 during his time as head coach. Northern Colorado went 2-10 last season and will be a big project for three-time Super Bowl champion.

McCaffrey built a remarkable coaching staff at Valor, a squad that totaled 16 combined Super Bowl rings during their playing days, including former Denver wide receiver Brandon Stokley.

McCaffrey also serves as the commissioner of the new Pacific Pro Football league, which aims to begin play next summer. The Pac Pro league hopes to serve as an alternative to college for high school football players seeking a path to the NFL.

All of McCaffrey’s four sons — Max, Christian, Dylan and Luke — played high school football at Valor. Max was selected by the DC Defenders in the XFL draft and Christian plays for the Panthers in the NFL. Dylan is a junior at Michigan and Luke is a freshman at Nebraska.

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