COMING UP: at Southern Oregon, Saturday, 1 p.m. (PDT)
COMPLETE WEEKLY MEDIA NOTEBOOK
LIVE LINKS: Saturday's game will be broadcast live on
Southern Oregon's Stretch Internet Portal (PPV $5.00) with Bill Jacobs calling the action. Live Stats will be available through
SOU's SIDEARM Sports Portal.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION: Tickets for Saturday's game in Ashland can be purchased online through
SOU's Ticket Portal, with general admission tickets $16.00. Per SOU's COVID protocols - all spectators 12-and-older must either provide a completed COVID-19 vaccination card or have proof of a negative COVID test taken within 48-hours to be admitted inside Raider Stadium.
77 YEARS OF COYOTE FOOTBALL: The 2021 season marks the 77th year of Coyote football as a collegiate program (C of I competed as an Academy from 1905-16 against high school and local town teams), recording an all-time record of 306-289-28. The Yotes had a football program every season from 1905-77 (minus the 1917 season, due to World War I, and the 1943, 1944 and 1945 seasons due to World War II). The team was disbanded following the 1977 season, with the squad returning to the gridiron in 2014. C of I has logged 4-straight winning seasons, including the record-setting 11-1 campaign in 2019.
SUCCESS AT HOME: With the win over Montana Western, the Yotes have posted a 24-14 record at Simplot Stadium since football returned to the College in 2014. Dating back to their first game at the facility in 1964, the Coyotes have an all-time record of 44-50-2 at Simplot Stadium.
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: The 2019 season marked the Yotes third postseason appearance in program history and their first appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series. In 1948, C of I was selected to participate in the Pear Bowl in Medford, Ore., defeating Southern Oregon, 27-20. In 1953, an unbeaten Northwest Conference champion Coyotes played in the Refrigerator Bowl in Evansville, Ind., losing to Sam Houston State, 14-12. In 2019, the Frontier Conference champs defeated Ottawa (Ariz.), 70-23, in a first-round game in Caldwell, before losing a 14-6 quarterfinal decision to Grand View (Iowa) in Des Moines.
TWO STREAKS INTACT: Saturday's win over then No. 22 Montana Western ran the Coyotes regular-season win streak against Top-25 teams to 10, dating back to the 2018 season. After losing 17 of their first 20 games against Top-25 teams from 2014-17, the Coyotes have won 13 of the last 17 games against nationally ranked foes. In addition, C of I improved to 8-0 since 2014 in games following a bye week.
OVERTIME: C of I improved to 3-0 all-time in overtime games since 2014 – with Saturday's win the first time the Coyotes played a multiple overtime game. The Yotes earned a 44-41 overtime win over Southern Oregon at Simplot Stadium during the 2016 season and had a 23-20 overtime road win at Montana Tech in 2018. The C of I-Western game was one of two overtime games in the league on Saturday, as MSU-Northern topped Eastern Oregon in five overtimes.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: The Frontier Conference standings separated a bit on Saturday – as Rocky Mountain holds a one-game lead on C of I with three games remaining in the season and only three teams in the 8-team circuit above the .500 mark. Though RMC holds the head-to-head tiebreaker on C of I, if the two teams finished tied in the final standings, tiebreaking procedures are complicated. If one team is ranked in the NAIA Top-20 – that team earns the auto bid, while if multiple teams are in the Top-20, the tie will be broken by three criteria (1. head-to-head, 2. defensive points allowed in FC play, 3. point differential in FC play). Currently, Rocky is ranked No. 13 in the latest NAIA poll, with C of I at No. 25. RMC will travel to Montana Tech on Saturday, followed by a home date with MSU-Northern and end the season at Montana Western.
WINNING SEASON: Saturday's win guaranteed a .500 or better season for the Coyotes – the fifth-straight season with a .500-or-better record (31-14 during that stretch). It marks the first time C of I has recorded 5-straight seasons at .500 or better since 1951-55 (a combined 33-12-1 record). The longest streak of .500 or better seasons was from 1924-29 under Hall of Fame coach Anse Cornell.
3-0 ON THE ROAD: With their road win at Montana Tech, the Coyotes improved to 3-0 away from Caldwell this season – picking up wins at MSU-Northern, Eastern Oregon and Tech. It is the second-straight full season (excluding the 2021 Spring Season) that the Yotes have won their first three road games – the first time since the 1959 team started with wins over Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon and Lewis & Clark. The 1953 (4-0) and 2019 (5-0) teams are the only ones to open with more than 3-straight home victories.
C OF I OFFENSE VS. SOUTHERN DEFENSE: What adjustments will the Coyote offense make against SOU, after the Raiders held C of I to just six second half points in the September game? The Yotes scored on their first four possessions to take a 23-0 lead – but punted on 4-of-5 second half possessions.
Ryan Hibbs (71-of-106 820 yards 2 INT 5 TD) earns the start at quarterback, coming off a 9-of-12 performance vs. SOU – looking to find receivers
Jake Nadley (29 rec 264 yards 1 TD),
Charlie Maynes (9 rec 58 yards) and
Connor Gagain (14 rec 138 yards 3 TD).
Nick Calzaretta (142 rush 728 yards 11 TD) had 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns vs. SOU. The Raiders did not allow a second half score in their 34-14 loss to Montana Tech, with their defensive line of Alejandro Sanchez (31 tackles, 10 TFL, 7.5 sacks), Tua Laolagi (29 tackles, 7 TFL, 4.5 sacks) and Ika Ngauamo (15 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 sacks) the key to their success. Linebacker Drew Schuler (43 tackles, 5 TFL) leads the team in tackles, with Stokes Botelho (39 tackles, 4 TFL) pacing the secondary.
SOUTHERN OFFENSE VS. C OF I DEFENSE: SOU was limited to just 205 yards vs. the Yotes in the first meeting and was held to a mere 189 yards in Saturday's loss to Tech. Idaho State/Missouri State transfer Matt Struck (117-of-230 1,443 yards 5 INT 12 TD) is a question mark for Saturday after being injured against the Orediggers, with Blake Asciutto (14-of-25 160 yards 1 INT 1 TD) playing the entire second half. The Raiders are a pass-first offense – ranking 93rd of 98 NAIA teams in rushing yards per game (54.6) – as Hykeem Massey (46 rush 178 yards) in the top ball carrier. Top receiver Bryce Goggin (38 rec 591 yards 5 TD) missed the first meeting, with Christian Graney (32 rec 268 yards 1 TD) and Ben Graziani (17 rec 236 yards 3 TD) top targets. The C of I defense hounded SOU in September, posting nine tackles for loss and three sacks, with the Raiders completing just 44-percent of their pass attempts. Ends
Keagan McCoy (28 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks) and
Cole Schmidt (25 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks) are key against the run, with linebackers
Dylan Martinez (84 tackles, 9 TFL, 2.5 sacks) and
Tanner Leaf (45 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4 sacks) able to go sideline to sideline. Corners
Isaiah Abdul (17 tackles, 2 INT, 6 PBU) and
Dorian Hardin (34 tackles, 1 INT 10 PBU) will be crucial against the Raider pass attack.
C OF I / SOUTHERN SPECIALISTS: Special teams will be crucial on Saturday, with both teams having solid return units. C of I kicker
Stan Mulderij (15-of-17 PAT, 2-of-5 FG) was perfect on six extra point attempts vs. Western, but the Yotes are a combined 4-of-11 on field goal attempts. Punter
Jacob Johnson (34.2 avg) had only one attempt on Saturday, a career-low.
Caden Cobb (21.8 avg) averaged 25 yards a kick return on Saturday, with
Hunter Gilbert (9.9 avg) among the league leaders in punt return yards. SOU kicker Cesar Ruiz (20-of-20 PAT, 2-of-3 FG) has been near perfect this season, with punter Nolan Rinefort averaging 35.4 yards a kick. Kick returner Shane McLaughlin (23.1 avg) has an 85-yard return for a touchdown, while Stokes Botelho (5.1 avg) is the top punt returner.
AMONG THE TOP DRAWS IN THE NAIA: The Coyotes have been among the Top-3 in NAIA attendance every year from 2014-19 (fans were not allowed at games during the 2020-21 spring season) and 2021 has been no different. Through four home games, C of I is averaging 3,477 fans a game – third only to Montana Tech (4,486) and Georgetown (3,500) – but well ahead of Indiana Wesleyan (3,112), Georgetown (3,000), Taylor (2,429) and Evangel (2,345). The Coyotes are well ahead of every Division III Northwest Conference team – including Linfield (2,020), Whitworth (1,854) and George Fox (1,774), the only teams in the 8-team league averaging over 1,000 fans a game. C of I ranks ahead of 24 NCAA Division I FCS teams – including Portland State (3,143) – along with Division II Western Oregon (3,212).
HISTORY OF SECOND MEETINGS: As part of the Frontier Conference scheduling pods, the Coyotes play three teams twice each season. Since 2014, C of I has posted a 9-9 record in the second meeting between teams – including wins in nine of the last 12 games. The Yotes are 3-3 in second meetings against both Southern Oregon and Eastern Oregon, 1-3 vs. Montana Western and 2-0 vs. Montana Tech.
HIBBS HONORED FOR RECORD SETTING DAY: Making his first-ever start at Simplot Stadium, quarterback
Ryan Hibbs had one of the top performances in program history – completing 30-of-35 passes for 299 yards and a touchdown in the win over Western – earning Frontier Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. Hibbs set a new program mark for completions (surpassing the previous record of 29 set by Tyler Cox vs. Carroll in 2016) and completion percentage (.857).
TOP PASSING GAMES: The 299 passing yards by
Ryan Hibbs was the ninth-highest total by a Coyote in program history – becoming the sixth quarterback to throw for 299-or-more yards. Darius-James Peterson logged three 300-yard games in his career, while Teejay Gordon had two 300-yard games – including a school-record 371 passing yards vs. Montana Western in 2015. Lon Troxel (367 yards in 1969), Boyd Crawford (362 yards in 1953) and Tyler Cox (320 yards in 2017) achieved the feat.
MARTINEZ BLOWS AWAY TACKLES RECORD: Working sideline to sideline against a potent Western offense,
Dylan Martinez seemingly was involved in every tackle on the afternoon, recording a school record 22 stops in the victory. His seven solo and 15 assisted tackles broke the previous mark of 16 that he shared with Nate Moore (2017) and tied the Frontier Conference record established by MSU-Northern's Mark Nay in 2001. Martinez was honored for his efforts as FC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season and ranks No. 4 nationally with 84 total tackles.
NADLEY BECOMES GO-TO RECEIVER: When the Yotes needed yards on Saturday, offensive coordinator
Brian Taylor called on No. 1 – as
Jake Nadley had one of the top receiving games in program history. The third-year Coyote caught 11 passes – all short or intermediate routes – for 79 yards, the most receptions by a C of I receiver since 2016 and became just the third player in program history to record 11-or-more receptions in a game. Nadley leads the team with 29 receptions on the season – tied for No. 7 in the Frontier Conference.
DOUBLE-DIGIT RECEPTION GAMES: Jake Nadley joins a small group of Coyote players with 10-or-more receptions in a game. NFL legend R.C. Owens holds the Top-2 marks by a Yote – catching 15 passes vs. the Seattle Ramblers in 1954 and 12 passes vs. Lewis & Clark in 1953, while tight end Marcus Lenhardt caught 11 passes twice (vs. Carroll and MSU-Northern in 2016) and had a 10 reception game vs. Eastern Oregon in 2016. Two players have caught 10 passes once – Tyler Higby vs. Montana Western in 2015 and
Cisco Limbago vs. Whitman in 1969.
MAYNES HAS CAREER DAY: Prior to the Montana Western game,
Charlie Maynes had played in the first six games of 2021, making three receptions. Saturday, the receiver had his best game as a Coyote, making six receptions for 34 yards – including three receptions that resulted in first-down conversions. He is one of seven players on the roster with 8-or-more receptions this season.
FILLING THE VOID: With the Coyote receiving group short-handed vs. Western, C of I saw a new cast of characters come up big in the victory. True freshman
John Kreps made his first start, catching a 46-yard pass on the first play of the game and added a 40-yard touchdown run. Tight end
Connor Gagain continued his outstanding senior season, catching five passes for 46 yards and his seventh career touchdown that gave the Yotes a fourth quarter lead. Running back
Hunter Gilbert caught a career-high four passes for 47 yards in the win, adding a key third-quarter 18-yard punt return.
PAYDIRT TIMES THREE: For the second time in his career,
Nick Calzaretta scored three rushing touchdowns in a game – scoring all three first half touchdowns for the Yotes. The fifth-year senior finished with 42 rushing yards, pushing his career total to 3,253 – just 160 yards from Darius-James Peterson's school mark. Calzaretta holds the school record with a 5-touchdown game in 2017 against Montana Tech and is one of six players since 2014 to have 3-or-more rushing touchdowns in a game (Peterson-4, Calzaretta-2, Teejay Gordon-2, A.J. Martin-1, J.J. Hyde-1, Zach Garzoli-1). He now has scored 41 career touchdowns and moved into No. 2 on the career rushing touchdown list with 39.
ALEXANDER WINS IT: C of I turned to
Allamar Alexander as its featured back late in the fourth quarter and in overtime, with the former Boise State player scoring his first two collegiate touchdowns, including the game-winner in the second overtime. The second-year Coyote rushed eight times for 35 yards – scoring the game-tying touchdown in the first overtime and had a 12-yard burst to set up the winning tote.
BIG TACKLE DAYS: For the first time in program history, three different C of I defensive players recorded double-digit tackles in one game.
Tanner Leaf posted his fifth-straight game with 7-or-more tackles, finishing the day with 10 tackles and his fourth sack of the season. Safety
Taeson Hardin was all over the field, recording 11 tackles in the win, while also seeing his first offensive snap of the season, hauling in a 41-yard reception.
SCHMIDT GETS TO THE QUARTERBACK: For the first three quarters, C of I struggled putting pressure on Western quarterback, Jon Jund. Things changed in the final period and in overtime, posting three sacks and a tackle for loss in crunch time. Defensive end
Cole Schmidt was key, recording a pair of third-down sacks that ended drives, taking over the team lead with 4.5 sacks on the season.
DEFENSIVE STREAKS SNAPPED: After recording 4-straight games allowing fewer than 300 yards and fewer than 100 rushing yards, Western ended the Yotes streak – posting 158 rushing yards and 434 yards of offense. Despite the tough day, C of I still leads the Frontier Conference in total defense (301.0) and ranks second in both rushing (97.0) and passing (204.0) defense.
THIRD DOWNS THE KEY: The Coyotes had just 11 drives in Saturday's game (including two that ended halves with kneel downs) – as C of I scored touchdowns on seven of the drives and punted just once. Moving the chains was an integral part of the success, as the Yotes finished 9-of-12 on third down. Western converted their first four third down chances – but the C of I defense came up big down the stretch, turning the Dawgs away on their final five third down attempts.
RECORD BOOK: A total of 12 players find themselves on the career Top-25 record list, including
Nick Calzaretta, who ranks No. 2 all-time in rushing attempts (668) and rushing touchdowns (39), No. 3 in rushing yards (3,253), total touchdowns (41) and in touchdowns responsible for (41), No. 4 in points scored (244) and is No. 6 in total offense (3,253).
Hunter Juarez ranks No. 3 in receiving yards (1,924), No. 4 in receptions (97), No. 5 in receiving touchdowns (13), No. 19 in total touchdowns scored (13), No. 23 in points scored (78) and No. 24 in touchdowns responsible for (13);
Connor Gagain is No. 10 in touchdown receptions (7) and No. 16 in both receptions (63) and in receiving yards (613);
Ryan Hibbs is No. 8 in touchdown passes (10) and passing yards (1,472), No. 9 in pass completions (116) passing yards (1,472) and is No. 11 in pass attempts (184);
Stan Mulderij is No. 6 in field goals made (4) and No. 9 in extra points made (24);
Cameron Simons is for No. 7 in field goals (2) and No. 17 in extra points made (12);
Isaiah Veal is No. 10 in touchdown receptions (7) and No. 19 in receiving yards (569); with
Jack Rice No. 12 in touchdown passes (6), No. 16 in pass completions (53) and in passing yards (667) and No. 19 in pass attempts (109). Defensively,
Keagan McCoy holds the school record for sacks (16.0), ranking No. 4 in tackles for loss (23.5) and No. 16 in tackles (112);
Isaiah Abdul is No. 13 in interceptions (5) and No. 13 in tackles (119);
Taeson Hardin is No. 10 in tackles (149) and in interceptions (6); with
Dylan Martinez No. 8 in tackles (154) and No. 22 in interceptions (3). Nine players have cracked the single-season Top-25, as Martinez ranks No. 4 in total tackles (84); Calzaretta ranks No. 9 in total touchdowns (12) and rushing touchdowns (11), No. 11 in points scored (72), No. 15 in rushing yards (728) and No. 18 in rush attempts (142); Hibbs is No. 14 in pass completions (71), No. 17 in passing yards (820), No. 19 in touchdown passes (5) and No. 23 in pass attempts (106); Rice is No. 16 in touchdown passes (6), No. 19 in pass completions (53) and attempts (109) and No. 22 in passing yards (667),
Jake Nadley is No. 20 in receptions (29), Gagain and Veal rank No. 22 in touchdown receptions (3), while Juarez ranks No. 23 in receiving yards (384) and Mulderij is No. 13 in extra points made (15).
LOOKING AHEAD: The Coyotes close out their home schedule next Saturday, hosting Eastern Oregon at 1 p.m. – the final home regular-season game for the 2021 C of I senior class. The Yotes will finish the regular-season on Nov. 13 with a road date at Carroll College.
