SALEM, Ore. –
Tyler Cox tossed for 216 yards and two scores and added a pair of touchdown runs, as the College of Idaho used a dominant first three quarters to cruise past Willamette University, 42-12, at McCulloch Stadium.
The victory for the Yotes (1-1) was just their third in 17 tries against WU in Salem – dating back to the mid-1920s. The 30 point victory margin was the largest for C of I against the Bearcats (0-2) in the 46-game series history and the first win against the Division III team in 37 years.
C of I forced five Willamette turnovers – including four interceptions and built a 34-0 lead after three quarters. The Yotes limited the Bearcats to just 188 yards of total offense prior to the fourth quarter.
The Coyotes scored on their first three possessions, as Cox found
Marcus Lenhardt alone in the end zone on a 14-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0. Following
Nate Moore's eighth career interception, Cox connect with
Shayne Robinson on a 59-yard scoring strike to extend the lead.
Field goals of 29 and 24-yards from
Kyle Mitchell pushed the lead to 20-0, before Cox engineered a nine-play, 82-yard drive late in the first half, connecting with Lenhardt on a 19-yard pass on fourth-and-7 to extend the drive. Cox called his own number in the red zone, scoring on an 8-yard option run as the Yotes led 27-0 at the break.
Cox scored on a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter to give C of I a five-score lead before WU got their offense on track. Ryan Knowlton connected with Jeremiah James on a 41-yard touchdown pass to avert the shutout, while getting a 79-yard run from Taylor Wyman to set up a Knowlton-to-James 2-yard scoring strike.
C of I capped the scoring late, as
Darius-James Peterson scored on a twisting 30-yard touchdown run.
Cox finished 15-of-21 for 216 yards and two scores, adding 55 yards on the ground.
Mike Kirby led all C of I rushers with 70 yards rushing, with Robinson making a career-high seven receptions for 97 yards and Lenhardt grabbing four passes for 77 yards.
Moore,
Carlos Murana,
Tristen Alesi and
Hunter Temple all added interceptions in the win.
Knowlton finished 26-of-43 for 255 yards, but was picked off three times.
