Finally. A road win for the University of Northern Colorado football team Saturday night in Houston, Texas.

Converted tight end Hank Gibbs plowed in from the 1-yard line in overtime, giving the Bears a 26-23 win over Houston Christian at Husky Stadium.

The Bears, mired in a two-game losing streak depsite playing well at Colorado State and at South Dakota to the final seconds of each game, improved to 2-2 on the season.

Houston Christian blocked a potential game-winning UNC field goal attempt in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime tied 20-20.

HCU took a 23-20 lead on its first possession of OT on a field goal by kicker Charlie Weinrich.

The Bears' eight-play drive of OT starting at the HCU 25 was aided by a defensive pass interference call on HCU's Tyran Chappell. The result was a Bears' first down at the HCU 14-yard. Three plays later, Gibbs sealed the win.

HCU's Sean DuBose got a hand on the 36-yard attempt by Bears kicker Jacob Willig with four seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The play ended a UNC threat after the Bears went 68 yards in 10 plays to get into the Huskies' red zone.

The play also sent UNC to its second OT game in two weeks. The Bears lost 24-17 in overtime Sept. 13 to nationally ranked South Dakota.

On the previous HCU possession, Huskies kicker Charlie Weinrich tied the game with a 50-yard field goal with 2:47 to play.

The Bears were well-balanced on offense, but the running game was special, racking up 222 yards of their 437 total yards. Mathias Price led UNC with 126 yards rushing on 27 carries and a touchdown.

UNC survived two interception returns for touchdowns in the first half thrown by quarterback Eric Gibson Jr. He finished the game 24 of 37 passing for 213 yards with a touchdown.

The Bears open their eight-game Big Sky Conference schedule next week. UNC hosts Idaho State at 1 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 27) at Nottingham Field on homecoming weekend in Greeley.

Northern Colorado football beats Houston Christian in overtime for first road win