2019 Football Season Review

COMING UP: Season Complete

COMPLETE MEDIA SEASON REVIEW

RECORD SEASON ENDS IN QUARTERFINALS: A match-up between Top-5 defenses in the NAIA proved to be the top game of the national quarterfinals, as the C of I and Grand View defenses were the story of the day – with GVU holding off a late Coyote charge for a 14-6 win in Des Moines. A short punt and a C of I interception set up a pair of short Vikings touchdown drives – erasing an early 3-0 Yote lead.  The Coyotes had their chances – as a penalty nullified a 67-yard third quarter touchdown run, with GVU twice turning C of I away in the red zone without points, including a late stop on a 4th-and-1 with three minutes to play. Darius-James Peterson earned Offensive Player of the Game after rushing for 76 yards and passing for 141 yards, connecting with Connor Gagain four times for 42 yards.  Justin Hellyer added 60 rushing yards on the rainy afternoon, Kyle Mitchell made field goals of 41 and 45-yards and Landon Clark-Gammell added a team-high seven tackles.
 
WIN STREAK SNAPPED AT 17: The loss at Grand View ended a school-record 17-game win streak for the Coyotes, dating back to a September 2018 loss to Rocky Mountain. C of I was not the only team to have their streak snapped – as Division II Valdosta State (25-game) and Division III Mary-Hardin Baylor (26-game) lost in postseason match-ups – with only North Dakota State (35 games), Clemson (28 games) and Ohio State (18 games) boasting the longest win streaks in college football. The loss ended an 8-game road win streak (dating back to a September 2018 loss at Portland State) and an 8-game win streak against Top-25 teams. C of I will take a 9-game home win streak into the 2020 season – three wins away from the school record of 12, established from 1952-54.
 
POSTSEASON AWARDS: C of I led all Frontier Conference teams with 16 all-conference awards – nearly equaling the entire total of Coyote all-league honors (18) from 2014-18. Quarterback Darius-James Peterson was named Offensive Player of the Year and was joined on the first-team by running back Nick Calzaretta, offensive lineman Josh Brown, tight end Tyler Reay, linebacker Forrest Rivers, safety Tristen Alesi and kicker Kyle Mitchell. Nine players earned second-team honors – running back Justin Hellyer, receiver Hunter Juarez, offensive linemen Gabe Zurita-Haber and Ricky Bowman Jr., defensive end Landon Clark-Gammell, defensive tackle Zach White, safety Taeson Hardin, punter Spencer Lambert and returner Tony Huebner. Head coach Mike Moroski was honored as Frontier Conference Coach of the Year.
 
TOP ACADEMIC HONORS: The Yotes established new school marks for both CoSIDA Academic All-District and Academic All-America awards in 2019 – as 12 C of I players were honored as All-District 4 performers and four players were named to the Academic All-America team. The players were among those honored for both their work on the field and in the classroom – all a starter or key reserve, a sophomore or greater in academic standing and maintain a 3.30 or higher cumulative grade point average. Earning All-District honors (among schools in the Frontier, Sooner and North Star conferences) were sophomores Connor Gagain and Canyon Olsen, juniors David Ford, Connor Richardson, Graham Carnahan and Josh Elsberry, along with seniors Dominic Garzoli, Zach White, Josh Brown, Gabe Zurita-Haber, Kyle Mitchell and Spencer Lambert, with Gagain (tight end), Garzoli (running back), Zurita-Haber (offensive line) and Mitchell (kicker) joining Nate Moore (2016) as the only Academic All-Americans in program history.
 
ATTENDANCE LEADER: Big crowds at the six home games at Simplot Stadium have the Coyotes leading all Frontier Conference schools in attendance and ranked No. 3 in the NAIA. C of I is averaging 3,557 fans per game on the season – well ahead of Frontier Conference foes Montana Tech (2,737), Carroll College (2,722), Southern Oregon (2,234), Eastern Oregon (1,102), Rocky Mountain (1,092), Montana Western (984) and MSU-Northern (770). Indiana Wesleyan led the NAIA in attendance for a second-straight year, averaging 3,943 fans per game, with Evangel (Mo.) (3,935) just ahead of the Yotes. St. Francis (Ind.) (2,891) and Montana Tech (2,737) round out the Top-5 in the NAIA attendance race. C of I has outdrawn 27 NCAA Division I teams; would rank in the Top-50 of the NCAA Division II in attendance; with the Yotes well ahead of all NCAA Division III Northwest Conference teams –Whitworth (2,318), Linfield (2,122), George Fox (1,980), Pacific (1,904), Puget Sound (1,694), Willamette (948), Pacific Lutheran (892) and Lewis & Clark (525).
 
POSTSEASON RECAP: After the win over C of I, Grand View met Morningside (Iowa) in the semifinals (MC dominated St. Xavier, 51-0 in the quarterfinals), with defending champs outlasting GVU, 21-16, to earn a trip to the title game. Lindsey Wilson won a quarterfinal battle at Kansas Wesleyan (35-24) to earn a semifinal date at Marian (who blanked Cumberlands, 30-0, in the quarterfinals) – with MU rallying for a 34-24 victory in Indianapolis – to advance to the championship. The Morningside-Marian title tilt, pitting the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the final NAIA poll, is set for next Saturday in Grambling, La.
 
WINNING SEASONS: C of I recorded a winning season for the third-straight year and the 35th time in program history. It is the first time the Coyotes have recorded three-straight winning seasons since a string of four-straight winning seasons from 1951-54.
 
YOTES ABOVE .500 IN NEW ERA: An 11-1 season for the Coyotes pushed their record since football returned to the College in 2014 to 35-31. The 35 wins for head coach Mike Moroski rank No. 3 in program history – trailing only the 54 games Anse Cornell won between 1916-32 and the 47 wins by Clem Parberry from 1935-50.
 
OFFENSIVE MARKS SHATTERED: Offense paved the way for the Coyotes success – establishing school records with 3,118 rushing yards, 2,486 passing yards and 5,604 yards of total offense, ranking fifth in the NAIA in rushing yards per game (259.8) and sixth in the NAIA in total offense (467.0). C of I rushed for over 300 yards five different times (including a season-high 410 yards vs. MSU-Northern), while logging over 500 yards of total offense five times – recording 13 plays on the year that went for 40 yards or more. The Coyotes averaged 37.2 points per game – the second-highest scoring total in program history (second only to the 39.0 points per game in 1953), recording a record 57 touchdowns, including 23 touchdown passes. C of I scored 40 or more points seven times, including a 70-point effort in the playoff win over Ottawa Arizona.
 
DEFENSE SETS STANDARD: Heading into 2019, the fewest yards surrendered per game for a season (since football returned in 2014) was 415 yards during both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. This year, the Coyotes set a new standard in a big way, limiting foes to just 308 yards per game – the fewest for a season with 10 or more games since 1958. C of I set a new school record by limiting opponents to just 93 rushing yards per game (No. 5 in the NAIA) – holding six opponents under 100 yards in a game (including a 31-yard rushing effort by Rocky Mountain). The Yotes set a new school record with 93 tackles for loss and 39 sacks, holding opponents to just 17 points per game – the third-lowest scoring total by a C of I opponent since 1946. The unit held 9-of-12 teams to 20 points or less, posted their first shutout since the 1970s with their 42-0 win at Rocky Mountain – a game where the club had a school-record 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. For the year, the defense helped C of I record five more takeaways than their opposition.
 
SECOND HALF SUCCESS: The Coyote defense closed out the season with a defensive shutout at Grand View – the fifth time in 2019 that C of I did not allow a second half touchdown (the fourth time they pitched a second half shutout) and was the eighth time in 12 games that the Yotes allowed seven points or less in the final two quarters. The Coyotes limited GVU to just 76 total yards over the first 27 minutes of the second half and held the top offensive team in the Heart of America Conference to a season-low 271 yards. The Yotes finished 2019 outscoring their opponents 226-84 in the third and fourth quarters.
 
POSITION REVEW – QUARTERBACKS: Quarterback play was the key to the success of the Yotes offense, as senior Darius-James Peterson capped an amazing 4-year career with a dominant 2019 season, earning Frontier Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team NAIA All-America honors. Peterson threw for a school-record 2,423 yards on the season – including two 300-yard games – while throwing at least four touchdown passes in three different contests (including a record five touchdown passes at Southern Oregon). On the ground, Peterson was just as dynamic – rushing for 732 yards, surpassing the all-time rushing yards total of Tom Winbigler, finishing his career with 3,413 yards – while becoming the first Coyote ever to break 10,000-yards of total offense (10,319). The big question mark going forward is who will be his successor – as senior Gage Ferguson, who saw action in three games in a reserve role – will graduate. Four players will contend for the spot in spring practice – sophomore Nathaniel Holcomb, who threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns in 2018; freshman Jacob Holcomb, who played in three games in 2019; and redshirt freshmen Ryan Hibbs and Michael Stuck.
 
POSITION REVIEW – RUNNING BACKS: The 2019 season was the year of the running back for the Coyote – as for just the third time in program history, two running backs rushed for more than 600 yards (three players if you count quarterback Darius-James Peterson) – joining Ed Lodge and Gary Collins in 1956 and LaVon Scott and Bob Morford in 1950. The Yotes rushed for a school record 3,118 total yards – the bulk from the running back position. Junior Nick Calzaretta had a monster season, rushing for 1,221 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns – the second-highest rushing yard total by a Coyote. The All-Frontier Conference pick tied the school record with seven 100-yard rushing games on the year (including a 247-yard performance at Montana Tech) and established a new single-season record with 218 rushing attempts. Senior Justin Hellyer provided a key change-of-pace for the Yotes, averaging nearly seven yards per carry on the season. Hellyer earned all-league honors after rushing for 670 yards and eight touchdowns – including a 207-yard effort vs. MSU-Northern. Fellow senior, Dominic Garzoli, was key throughout the year before injuries ended his season – racking up 285 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while catching seven passes for 90 yards and a score. True freshman Ed Osterberger made the most of limited opportunities on the offensive side of the ball – as he was a key contributor on special teams – rushing for 198 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 10 yards per tote. Two Coyotes used the season as redshirt years – freshmen Tommy Dunham and Matt Klassen.
 
POSITION REVIEW – WIDE RECEIVERS: Coyote receivers were the benefactors of an improved passing game in 2019 – as four different pass catchers recorded at least 25 receptions on the year. Speed threat Hunter Juarez had a monster sophomore season, leading the club with 41 receptions, 811 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Juarez established a new single-season mark with five 100-yard receiving games and earned All-Frontier Conference accolades. Junior Connor Richardson and senior Keegan Crafton both had outstanding campaigns – Richardson catching 26 passes for 372 yards and four touchdowns, with Crafton closing his time as a Coyote with career highs with 32 catches, 476 yards and six touchdowns. Young players continued to make an impact – as sophomore Bo Stevens had 11 receptions for 150 yards (and also completed two passes), redshirt freshman Isaiah Veal had six grabs for 93 yards and a score, with true frosh Carson Smith making his first career reception during the postseason. C of I will have to replace three other senior receivers – John Horn, who finished with nine catches for 95 yards; slot receiver Tony Huebner, who had five receptions; along with Tanner Donaldson, who saw action on special teams. Junior Keenan Pattwell and used the year as a redshirt season and will return along with nine freshmen – Jake Nadley, Nelson Russell, Kendrick Brasby, Grant Garner, Carson Jones, Blake Jablonski, Zeke Quintero, Charlie Maynes and Chase Burfeind.
 
POSITION REVIEW – TIGHT ENDS: No team in the Frontier Conference utilizes their tight ends more than the Coyotes and the 2019 season was no exception. Senior Tyler Reay did the bulk of the dirty work in the run game – regarded as the top run-blocker in the Frontier Conference, earning all-league honors. Sophomore Connor Gagain had a great year as a run-blocker, but was also was a key option in the pass game, catching a career-best 25 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. C of I will have to replace senior blocking back, Anatol Sklyar – who was also key on special teams – with sophomore Canyon Olsen and freshman Nico Reis expected to have expanded roles in 2020.
 
POSITION REVIEW – OFFENSIVE LINE: A record-setting offensive attack was paced by an offensive line that dealt with injuries throughout the season but developed into one of the best collective units in program history. Both tackles started all 12 games on the season – 4-year starter Josh Brown and true freshman Garrett Rehberg – anchoring the edges. Brown started a school-record 45 games in his career earning All-Frontier Conference and NAIA All-America honors, with his understudy, Rehberg, earning the nod after an injury sidelined sophomore Cy Hicks in preseason, the 2018 starter at right tackle. The duo limited pressure from the edge, as the Yotes allowed just 15 sacks on the season – fewest in the Frontier Conference. Senior Gabe Zurita-Haber was the workhorse – splitting time between left guard and center during the season – combining to start all 12 games and earning all-league accolades. The right guard position was won in camp by freshman Clayton Wolfe – but an injury sidelined the rookie until Week 9 – with redshirt freshman Braden Bale filling the role, with Bale also seeing time at center. Center Ricky Bowman Jr. battled injuries throughout the season – but still earned all-conference honors for a second time. The shuffling of the line allowed for sophomore Drew Leick to see action at center, true freshman Ryan Halford seeing action at both guard spots and true freshman Camille Massaad seeing action at tackle. Along with Hicks returning in 2020, the Yotes will have a trio of redshirts – Cole Owen, J.P. Cardillo and Garrett Klock – looking to make an impact in spring ball and next season.
 
POSITION REVIEW – DEFENSIVE TACKLES: The interior defensive linemen were the anchor to the C of I defense, helping the Coyotes establish a new school record for fewest rushing yards allowed per game for a season. A 6-man rotation kept players fresh throughout the year – a group that included three seniors. All-Frontier Conference pick Zach White had his best season of his career, capping his time with the Yotes with 31 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss, while 4-year starter Demetreus Taua logged 28 tackles and a career-best 8.5 tackles for loss. The third senior, James Roy, recorded 10 tackles before his season was ended due to injury. Sophomore Keagan McCoy had a breakout campaign, finishing 2019 with 38 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks – the most tackles for loss and sacks by a Frontier Conference defensive tackle. Junior Brock Funke logged 20 tackles and redshirt freshman Vince Seth had six tackles as key reserves in the rotation. The Coyotes expect to move junior Chase Owen back to the defensive side of the football in 2020, while four high-caliber freshmen players used a redshirt – Warren Craig, Gino Allen, Jonathan Aamodt and Tyson Matthews.
 
POSITION REVIEW – DEFENSIVE ENDS: Seniors were the key at the position, while the Coyotes will lose a pair of dynamic playmakers, depth is key for future success. The duo of Landon Clark-Gammell and Danny Garcia wreaked havoc on the Frontier Conference – Clark-Gammell earning all-league honors after recording 50 tackles and a school record 14 tackles for loss, while Garcia led all C of I linemen with 53 tackles and a record 7.5 sacks. The Yotes got a big boost from former Idaho Vandal J.T. Mahon, who finished the season with 37 tackles and 4.5 sacks, with redshirt freshman Miles Maupin seeing his field time increase as the year rolled on, ending 2019 with nine tackles and two sacks. Redshirt sophomores Mika Duran and Triden Mitchell, along with true freshman Alex Ojukwu, missed the season due to injuries, while true freshman Cade Flint made nine tackles as a key contributor on special teams. Redshirt freshman Mykah Weaver, along with true freshmen Luke McLaughlin, Kiran Jain and Declan Smith did not see game action, but will be key during the 2020 season.
 
POSITION REVIEW – LINEBACKERS: Coyote linebackers had an outstanding season, with C of I poised for an even bigger 2020 after losing just one player from the position group to graduation. The lone senior will be a big loss, as 4-year starter and 3-time All-Frontier Conference selection, Forrest Rivers, closed out his career in the playoff loss at Grand View. Rivers led the Yotes with 74 tackles on the season, ranking second on the squad with 13. 5 tackles for loss – and finished his career with 238 stops and 38 tackles for loss. All three of his running mates will return – junior Graham Carnahan, redshirt freshman Mack Roesner and true freshman Dylan Martinez. Carnahan had a huge 2019 – finishing second on the team with 70 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and recovered two fumbles (one returned for a touchdown at Rocky Mountain); Roesner finished with 15 tackles as Carnahan's back-up; with Martinez racking up 37 tackles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. True freshman Davis Fischer made four tackles on special teams, while three fellow freshmen – Jared Desmond, Kaiona China and Noah Beltz – all redshirted, joining redshirt freshman Mason Medl as players who will provide depth at the position in 2020.
 
POSITION REVIEW – CORNERBACKS A youth movement on the outside was key to the Coyote success in 2019 – as underclassmen took over the corner positions early in the season and ran with it. Isaiah Abdul built off a great rookie campaign with an even better sophomore season – logging 43 tackles, a team-best 10 passes defended and an interception. True freshman Dorian Hardin was outstanding, recording 39 tackles, defending seven passes, forcing two fumbles and adding an interception. C of I will have to replace senior back-up Grayson McClain, who recorded nine tackles this year, but redshirt freshman, Tony Murphy and junior Cameron Dawson will return to provide depth next season.
 
POSITION REVIEW – SAFETIES: The back end to the Coyote defense was quite possibly the most improved position group during the 2019 season, with the bulk of the players set to return next year. C of I limited the pass-happy Frontier Conference teams to just 214 passing yards a game, including four games with opponents throwing for less than 100 yards (including the quarterfinal playoff game at Grand View). Senior Tristen Alesi moved from corner to safety during the season and earned All-Frontier Conference honors after recording 30 tackles and seven passes defended. The squad will also have to replace Jordan Nero, a fifth-year senior that rebounded from injuries to record 19 tackles and an interception in a reserve role. Juniors Josh Elsberry and David Ford had outstanding seasons, Elsberry ranking fourth on the squad with 63 total tackles and an interception, with finishing with 46 tackles and is among the Top-10 in program history in tackles. Sophomore Taeson Hardin had a breakout 2019, earning All-Frontier Conference honors after leading the team with four interceptions – including one for a touchdown – and adding 39 stops. Five true freshmen also saw game action – with Will Janney a key contributor on special teams and recording nine total tackles – along with Bridger Marboe, Robbie Johnson, Jack Molesworth and Jacob Batubenga combining for 12 tackles on the year. In addition, six players used a redshirt year – sophomore Trevor Manu and freshmen Hayden Ruiz-Dondero, Austin Steblay, Cody Nixon, Troy Hothan and Grant Miller.
 
POSITION REVIEW – SPECIALISTS: A senior-heavy group had an outstanding season – earning a trio of All-Frontier Conference awards. Kicker Kyle Mitchell had one of the best seasons in Frontier Conference history, destroying the C of I record book with 55 extra points (in 56 attempts) and 15 made field goals. Mitchell, recently named a first-team NAIA All-American, had six field goals of 40-yards or more, including two 45-yard makes (including one in the quarterfinal loss at Grand View), a 49-yard conversion and a record-setting 58-yard game-winner to defeat Montana Tech – and added 25 kickoff touchbacks. Punter Spencer Lambert was honored as a second-team All-Frontier Conference pick, averaging 36.5 yards an attempt – with just seven of his 49 punts returned. Return specialist Tony Huebner had more kick return attempts (25) and punt return attempts (22) than any other C of I player in program history – earning second-team All-Frontier Conference honors – averaging nearly 20 yards a kick return and five yards a punt return. C of I will return sophomore long snapper Jacob Torres, who handled duties on both punt and placekicks, along with place-holder Connor Richardson. Redshirt Jacob Johnson will be the lone kicker/punter on the roster for spring practice.
 
SINGLE-GAME RECORDS: As a team, the Coyotes tied or broke eight single-game records in 2019 – including touchdown passes (6 at Southern Oregon), touchdowns scored (10 vs. Ottawa Arizona), extra points made (10 vs. Ottawa Arizona), extra point attempts (10 vs. Ottawa Arizona), field goals made (3 vs. Montana Tech, vs. MSU-Northern), field goal attempts (4 vs. Montana Tech), sacks (10 at Rocky Mountain) and tackles for loss (18 at Rocky Mountain). Nine individual school records were established – as Darius-James Peterson passed for five touchdowns at Southern Oregon; Kyle Mitchell attempted and converted 10 extra points vs. Ottawa Arizona, making three field goals against both Montana Tech and MSU-Northern, attempted four field goals vs. Montana Tech, recorded 14 kick scoring points vs. MSU-Northern and made a 58-yard field goal vs. Montana Tech; Keagan McCoy had 4.5 sacks and 5.0 tackles for loss vs. MSU-Northern. In addition, Nick Calzaretta recorded the second-longest run (93 yards vs. Rocky Mountain) and Hunter Juarez caught the second-longest pass play (88 yards at Montana Tech) in program history.
 
SINGLE-SEASON RECORD BOOK: As a team, the Yotes broke 14 single-season records during the 2019 season – rushing yards (3,118), rushing attempts (546), rushing touchdowns (30), passing yards (2,486), passing touchdowns (23), total offense (5,604), total offense per game (467.0), points scored (446), touchdowns (57), extra points made (55), field goals made (15), tackles for loss (93), sacks (39), fewest rushing yards allowed per game (93.4). Individually, 17 players cracked the single-season Top-25 record book in 2019 – as Kyle Mitchell set the school record for field goals made (15), field goal attempts (19), extra points made (55) and extra point attempts (56), ranking No. 2 in extra point conversion percentage (.987) and No. 4 in points scored (100), with Darius-James Peterson setting new marks for passing yards (2,423), total offense (3,155), pass attempts (301) and touchdown passes (21), ranking No. 2 pass completions (169), No. 8 in completion percentage (.561), No. 14 in rushing yards (732) and No. 19 in rushing attempts (134). Nick Calzaretta set a new mark for rushing attempts (218), ranking No. 2 in rushing yards (1,221), No. 5 in rushing yards per game (101.8), No. 7 in rushing touchdowns (12), No. 9 in total touchdowns (12), No. 11 in points scored (72), No. 12 in total offense (1,221) and No. 21 in yards per rush (5.60); Hunter Juarez is No. 3 in receiving yards (811), receptions per game (4.56) and touchdown receptions (7), ranking No. 7 in receptions (41) and yards per reception (19.78); Keegan Crafton is No. 7 in touchdown receptions (6), No. 14 in receiving yards (476) and No. 15 in receptions (32); Connor Richardson is No. 15 in touchdown receptions (4) and No. 23 in receiving yards (372); with Justin Hellyer No. 8 in yards per rush (6.98), No. 16 in rushing touchdowns (8), No. 17 in rushing yards (670) and No. 19 in total touchdowns (19). Defensively, Landon Clark-Gammell set a new mark for tackles for loss (14.0) and No. 4 in sacks (6.5); Danny Garcia set a new record for sacks (7.5), while ranking No. 4 in tackles for loss (11.0); Dylan Martinez tied the record for fumble recoveries (3); Keagan McCoy is No. 2 in sacks (7.0) and No. 4 in tackles for loss (11.0); Forrest Rivers is No. 2 in tackles for loss (13.5) and No. 9 in tackles (74); Taeson Hardin is No. 10 in interceptions (4); Graham Carnahan is No. 12 in tackles (70); with Josh Elsberry No. 18 in tackles (63). Punter Spencer Lambert finished No. 10 in punting average (36.5), with returner Tony Huebner No. 1 in punt returns (25), No. 3 in kickoff returns (22), No. 3 in kickoff return yardage (432) and No. 13 in punt return yardage (118).
 
CAREER RECORD BOOK: A total of 19 players rank on the career Top-25 list, led by Darius-James Peterson, who holds the school record for rushing yards (3,413), rushing touchdowns (46), pass completions (481), pass attempts (863), passing yards (6,906), total offense (10,319), touchdown passes (49) and touchdowns responsible for (95) – ranking No. 2 in rushing attempts (622), passing yards per game (157.0), total offense per game (234.5), total touchdowns (46) and points scored (276), No. 3 in rushing yards per game (77.6), interceptions thrown (38), completion percentage (.557) and No. 12 in yards per rush (5.49) . Kyle Mitchell holds the school record for extra points made (165), extra points attempted (171), field goals made (31) and field goal attempts (44), ranking No. 3 in points scored (258 and extra point percentage (.965) and No. 4 in field goal percentage (.705); Keegan Crafton ranks No. 3 in career touchdown receptions (15) and in receiving yards (1,395), No. 5 in receptions (89), No. 10 in yards per reception (15.7), No. 15 in total touchdowns (15), No. 18 in points scored (90) and No. 20 in touchdowns responsible for (15); Connor Richardson is No. 5 in touchdown receptions (12), No. 12 in both receptions (75) and receiving yards (1,000), No. 21 in total touchdowns (12) and No. 24 in points scored (72); Nick Calzaretta is No. 4 in rushing attempts (450), rushing touchdowns (24) and total touchdowns (24), No. 5 in rushing yards (2,252) and points scored (144), No. 8 in touchdowns responsible for (24) and No. 10 in total offense (2,252); Hunter Juarez is No. 4 in receiving yards (1,372), No. 6 in touchdown receptions (11), No. 15 in receptions (63) and No. 23 in total touchdowns (23); Nathaniel Holcomb is No. 17 in touchdown passes (3), No. 19 in pass completions (37) and No. 21 in passing yards (421); Dominic Garzoli is No. 7 in yards per rush (5.99), No. 17 in touchdown receptions (4), No. 21 in total touchdowns (12), No. 22 in rushing yards (808) and No. 24 in points scored (72), receptions (37) and rushing touchdowns (8); Justin Hellyer is No. 2 in yards per rush (6.95), No. 14 in rushing touchdowns (11), No. 20 in rushing yards (876) and No. 23 in total touchdowns (11); Connor Gagain No. 17 in touchdown receptions (4) and No. 20 in receptions (43); with Spencer Lambert No. 2 in punt average (37.4), No. 3 in punting yards (3,884) and No. 4 in total punts (104). Defensively, Forrest Rivers is No. 1 in tackles for loss (38.0), and No. 3 in tackles (236); Danny Garcia is No. 1 in sacks (14.5) and No. 4 in tackles for loss (21.5); Tristen Alesi is no. 2 in forced fumbles (4) and No. 8 in both tackles (151) and interceptions (7); Landon Clark-Gammell is No. 4 in sacks (10.0) and No. 6 in tackles for loss (19.5); Keagan McCoy is No. 3 in sacks (10.5); Graham Carnahan is No. 7 in tackles for loss (16.5) and No. 12 in tackles (113); David Ford is No. 9 in tackles (124); with Taeson Hardin No. 19 in interceptions (4).
 
GAME RECAP: The 2019 season featured blow out wins and come-from-behind thrillers, as C of I won their first 11 games in a row and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series. The Yotes opened the year with a dominating 48-12 home win over Eastern Oregon – rushing for 377 yards in the victory. A week later, Nick Calzaretta ran for 247 yards and a touchdown in a 28-14 victory at Montana Tech, before moving to 3-0 with a 41-38 Homecoming win over Southern Oregon. Following a bye week, the Coyotes limited Rocky Mountain to just 121 total yards in a 42-0 road win in Billings and following a second bye week, threw for a season-high 356 yards in a 47-14 victory at Carroll College. C of I answered the bell against Tech in Week 6 – as Kyle Mitchell kicked a 58-yard field goal on the final play to lift the Coyotes to a 16-14 victory – before the Yotes hit the road for two crucial wins – 42-14 at Southern Oregon and 24-17 at Eastern Oregon, games in which the opponents did not score a second half touchdown. A Week 10 match-up with nationally-ranked Montana Western saw C of I battle back from a 20-7 deficit – scoring 31-straight points at one stretch to win, 38-27, clinching the league title – before closing the regular-season with a 44-20 win over MSU-Northern, racking up 410 rushing yards. The Yotes opened the FCS with a dominating 70-23 win over Ottawa Arizona – scoring the final 42 points of the game – before the 14-6 road loss to Grand View in the quarterfinals.