COMING UP: vs. Southern Oregon, Saturday, 1 p.m.
COMPLETE MEDIA GAME NOTES
TICKET INFORMATION FOR HOME GAMES: Single-game tickets and tailgate spots are currently on sale for the 2021 Coyote football season through the C of I Ticket Portal or by calling the Ticket Office at (208) 459-5223. General admission tickets are $15.00, with reserved seating (seat-back) $30.00..
HOME GAME INFORMATION: Kickoff for all home games in 2021 is set for 1 p.m. Gates at Simplot Stadium will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff (11:30 a.m.), with the Tailgate Zone opening at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center five hours prior to kickoff (8 a.m.).
PHOTO GALLERY - FOOTBALL VS. ROCKY
WELCOME BACK FANS: C of I will welcome spectators to Simplot Stadium for the first time since 2019 – one of the biggest home field advantages in all of NAIA football. The crowd of 4,305 for the season opener vs. Rocky Mountain was the largest for the Coyotes since the 2016 season – when the team averaged 4,405 fans per game – and was the second-largest crowd so far this season in the NAIA (trailing only the 5,200 fans at Montana Tech's season opener vs. Eastern Oregon.
LIVE LINKS FOR HOME GAMES: For fans unable to attend game in Caldwell, the
Yotes Digital Network will broadcast the game live, with Mike Safford calling the action ($25.00 for a season pass or $10 per game). Pregame coverage will begin at 12:50 p.m. from Simplot Stadium.
Live Stats will also be provided for all home games, however, C of I does not have a radio contract for the 2021 football season.
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 301-288-28. 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: Despite the 33-30 loss to Rocky Mountain to open the 2021 home schedule, the Yotes have posted a 22-13 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 42-49-2 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.
BACK TO BACK FRONTIER CHAMPS: The Yotes begin 2021 as 2-time defending Frontier Conference champions, winning the league outright in 2019 and sharing the 2020 crown with Carroll and Eastern Oregon. C of I joined seven other teams – Morningside (Iowa), Grand View (Iowa), Baker (Kan.), Reinhardt (Ga.), Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), Keiser (Fla.) and Dickinson State (N.D.).
WELCOME BACK FRONTIER CONFERENCE: The 2021 season welcomes back the entire Frontier Conference to the field – as three teams (Southern Oregon, Montana Western, Montana Tech) opted out of the 2020-21 spring season. The league will play a 10-game modified double round-robin schedule – with C of I, Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon and Carroll in one pod and MSU-Northern, Rocky Mountain, Montana Tech and Montana Western in the other. Teams will play a home-and-home schedule within the pod, while playing the teams in the opposite pod once.
POLL POSITION: C of I opened the year ranked No. 19 in the NAIA Top-25 Coaches' Poll – the 20th-straight poll (dating back to 2018) the Yotes have been in the Top-25 and the third-straight season the team has opened in the ranking. However, with their loss to Rocky Mountain, C of I saw their streak snapped, falling into the "Others Receiving Votes" category as the second team listed. Three Frontier teams are in the Top-25, No. 13 Eastern Oregon, No. 23 Montana Western and No. 24 Rocky Mountain.
YOTES FEATURING LARGEST ROSTER EVER: When C of I restarted their football program in 2014, the goal was to have 75 student-athletes playing the sport. This season, the Yotes opened their fall camp with 141 players on the roster, including a record 88 players returning from the 2020-21 season. The squad returns 10 starters on both sides of the football, along with the bulk of their specialists.
BYE WEEK STREAK ON THE LINE: Since 2014, the Yotes are a perfect 6-0 in games following a bye-week - including a 49-38 road win at Eastern Oregon during the spring season.
C OF I OFFENSE VS. SOUTHERN DEFENSE: Coming off a 525-yard performance against Rocky Mountain, the Coyotes will bring the No. 4 rush offense in the NAIA (307.0) and the No. 1 overall offense in the Frontier Conference (496.0) against a Raiders defense that has held foes to just 129 yards on the ground and leads the league in allowing just 300 yards per game. C of I quarterback
Jack Rice (20-of-44 262 yards 3 TD 4 INT; 28 rush 95 yards 1 TD) is a dual-threat, recording over 100-yards rushing and passing against RMC, with
Nick Calzaretta (36 rush 292 yards 3 TD) ranking No. 4 in the NAIA in rushing yards through Week 3. Top receiver
Hunter Juarez (10 rec 186 yards 1 TD) has recorded three career 100-yard receiving games vs. SOU in his career, while C of I will look for production from
Isaiah Veal (16 rec 300 yards 3 TD in Spring), an All-Frontier pick this spring who hasn't caught a pass in 2021. The Southern defense is stout, paced upfront by Tua Zailagi (9 tackles, 2 sacks) and former All-FC pick Tre Holmes (9 tackles, 2 TFL). Linebackers Ty Glumbik (10 tackles, 1 TFL) and Jake Regino (8 tackles) are active, with the Raiders secondary led by returner Stokes Botelho (12 tackles, 1 INT) and Champ Robertson (8 tackles).
SOUTHERN OFFENSE VS. C OF I DEFENSE: SOU head coach Charlie Hall has taken over play-calling duties in 2021 and was expected to dial down their frenetic tempo offense – but that hasn't been the case – as the Raiders are averaging nearly 80 plays and 400 yards of offense per game. Division I transfer Matt Struck (36-of-64 585 yards 6 TD 0 INT) was a starter at Idaho State and now anchors the top passing game in the Frontier Conference – throwing for five touchdowns in last Saturday's win over MSU-Northern at Autzen Stadium. A deep receiving group, led by Bryce Goggin (11 rec 165 yards 2 TD), Adrik Lamar (9 rec 152 yards 2 TD), Christian Graney (9 rec 72 yards) and Ben Grazziani (4 rec 79 yards) will encounter a veteran C of I secondary that features three all-league picks in safety
Taeson Hardin (20 tackles, 2 FF, 1 INT), who ranks third in the league in tackles,
Isaiah Abdul (2 tackles, 2 INT), who leads the league in interceptions and
Dorian Hardin (8 tackles, 2 PBU). Will the Raiders try to establish the run game – having averaged just 49 rushing yards per game this season? The duo of Hykeem Massey (18 rush 70 yards) and Christian Quirarte (10 rush 28 yards) have been used sparingly and will face the top tackler in the NAIA in Yotes linebacker
Dylan Martinez (28 tackles, 4 TFL). The big question, will C of I be able to get pressure on Struck – as the Coyotes have just three sacks through two games, as Keegan McCoy (5 tackles, 1.5 TFL) is needing just one sack to tie the C of I all-time sacks record.
C OF I / SOUTHERN SPECIALISTS: The Coyote special teams units have been solid this season – especially the coverage units, as the kickoff team has held opponents on average inside the 25-yard-line and the punt team has not allowed a return. Kicker
Cameron Simons (8-of-8 PAT, 2-of-5 FG) is perfect on extra points and field goals inside 30-yards, while punter
Jacob Johnson (31.1 avg) has three of his seven punts downed inside the 20-yard-line.
Hunter Gilbert (11.7 PR/avg) handled punt return duties last week vs. Rocky, with
Caden Cobb (14.7 KR/avg) having a pair of long returns called back due to penalties. Southern has new specialists in 2021 – as transfer Cesar Ruiz (10-of-10 PAT) has yet to attempt a field goal, while punter Nolan Rinefort (33.4 avg) had a pair of snaps elude him in a season opening loss to Rocky Mountain. Defensive back Stokes Botelho (23.0 KR / 3.5 PR/avg) is the top returner for SOU.
LAST SEASON'S GAME: The two teams did not meet in 2020, as SOU opted out of the spring season. C of I has won the past three meetings, including a 41-38 win in Caldwell and a 42-14 win in Ashland during the 2019 season.
HOME STREAK SNAPPED, TOUCHDOWN STREAK TO 41: C of I's 33-30 loss to Rocky Mountain ended an 11-game home win streak, a 973-day stretch between the 2018 and 2021 seasons. The 11-straight wins were one away from tying the school record of 12 home victories in a row between 1952 and 1954. The Yotes do have another long home streak alive, having scored at least one touchdown at home in 41-straight home games, dating back to a 45-0 loss at Simplot Stadium to Pacific Lutheran on Oct. 30, 1976. C of I has not been shutout since that PLU game in 1976 – a string of 83-straight games.
BACK TO BACK 300-YARD RUSHING GAMES: Despite playing against one of the top run defenses in the NAIA, the Yotes gashed the Rocky defense for 306 yards – their second-straight 300-yard rushing game this season. It marked the fourth time that the team has recorded back-to-back 300-yard rushing games (2014 vs. Southern Oregon and Montana Tech, 2019 vs. Eastern Oregon and Montana Tech, 2019 vs. MSU-Northern and Ottawa). C of I has rushed for at least 300 yards 11 times since 2014, with the team 9-2 in those contests.
OFFENSE SURPASSES 500 YARDS: The Coyote offense had a big day against Rocky, compiling 525 yards of total offense – their highest offensive output since posting 547 yards in a 2019 playoff win over Ottawa. It was the 17th time since 2014 that C of I has eclipsed the 500-yard mark in total offense, with the team now a combined 15-2 in those games.
RICE TIES QUARTERBACK RECORD: Facing the top defensive line in the Frontier Conference,
Jack Rice used his legs to stun the Rocky defense on C of I's first drive. The quarterback kept the football on an zone-read play and raced 82-yards for a touchdown – the seventh time a Coyote has recorded a run for 82 or more yards, and equaling the longest run ever by a C of I quarterback (Teejay Gordon rushed 82-yards for a touchdown at Southern Oregon in 2014). Rice joined Gordon, Darius-James Peterson and Tyler Cox as the only C of I quarterbacks to ever rush for 100-yards in a game – carrying 17 times for 106 yards and the touchdown.
HIBBS STELLAR OFF THE BENCH: For the second-straight season against Rocky Mountain, quarterback
Ryan Hibbs was summoned off the bench to rally the Yotes – and nearly engineered another comeback win. The signal-caller led the Yotes on a 92-yard fourth quarter touchdown drive and following a defensive stop, marched C of I from their own 2-yard-line to the Rocky 20 inside the final minute, to set up a field goal attempt. Hibbs finished the day 8-of-13 for 116 yards and added 31 more yards on the ground.
JUAREZ TIES ALL-TIME 100-YARD GAME MARK: Senior wide receiver
Hunter Juarez had another huge afternoon against Rocky, catching six passes for 104 yards – adding 41 yards rushing on a pair of fly sweeps. The 100-yard game by Juarez was the ninth of his Coyote career – equaling the all-time school record for 100-yard receiving games, originally set by NAIA and San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame member R.C. Owens from 1952-54. Juarez became the 11th Coyote to record 80 receptions for his career last Saturday with a first quarter reception.
GAGAIN FINDS PAYDIRT: After failing to catch a pass in the season opener at MSU-Northern, tight end
Connor Gagain was a key part of the Coyote offense against Rocky, catching three passes for 29 yards – including a 9-yard touchdown grab late in the fourth quarter. The senior followed it up with his second career 2-point conversion – the first by the Yotes since a September 2019 win over Southern Oregon. Gagain became the 16th player in program history to surpass 50 receptions for his career with a first quarter grab, while his touchdown reception pushed his career receiving yards total over 500 – the 23rd Coyote to accomplish the feat.
HARDIN LOGS COYOTE FIRST: It was a big Saturday afternoon for safety
Taeson Hardin, as the All-American recorded a career-high 12 tackles in the 2021 home opener. The senior also tied for the team lead with two pass break-ups and added his fifth career interception on Rocky's first pass attempt of the day, setting up a C of I field goal. Hardin etched his name into the C of I record books in the second quarter, picking up a blocked extra point following a RMC touchdown – returning the kick 93-yards for the Yotes first-ever defensive 2-point conversion. It was the second time Hardin has found the end zone as a Coyote – returning an interception 44-yards for a score during the 2019 playoffs vs. Ottawa.
ANOTHER HUGE AFTERNOON FOR MARTINEZ: Dylan Martinez was all over the field against Rocky, recording 12 tackles on the day – including a key fourth quarter sack that gave the Coyote offense a chance for a last minute comeback attempt. The linebacker became the first C of I player since Nate Moore (2017 vs. Montana Western and Northern Colorado) to record back-to-back double-digit tackle games, with his 28 tackles on the season and his 14 tackles per game leading the Frontier Conference.
PROVIDING PRESSURE: Though the Yotes recorded just one tackle for loss in the Rocky game, C of I was able to pressure the quarterback throughout the afternoon – combining for seven quarterback hurries and seven passes defended. Defensive end
Willie Nelson led the front four with three hurries, with
Keagan McCoy,
Brad Cushman and
Joey Calzaretta each recording one, while
Jacob Batubenga led the secondary with a pair of pass breakups.
SIMONS SETS NEW RECORD: Kicker
Cameron Simons was busy on Saturday – becoming the first Coyote in program history to attempt four field goals in one game. The redshirt freshman made a 23-yard attempt in the first quarter and added a 29-yard make in the fourth quarter, while also remaining perfect on the season with a pair of extra points. Simons also averaged over 62 yards per kickoff – holding Rocky inside their own 25-yard-line on five of his six attempts.
THIS DAY IN COYOTE FOOTBALL HISTORY (SEPTEMBER 18): It marks the 5th time in program history that the Yotes have played on Sept. 18, posting a 3-1 all-time record on the date. In 1948, Tom Winbigler rushed for three touchdowns and caught another, as C of I won at Whitworth, 33-28, while in 1954, R.C. Owens caught six passes for 131 yards and a touchdown, as the Yotes rallied from a 13-0 first quarter deficit to defeat Idaho State in Pocatello, 26-20, before over 5,000 fans. In 1971, C of I dropped a 21-18 decision to Eastern Oregon, despite rushing for 291 yards – as the team missed three extra points and had three fumbles – while in 1977, a Rocky Lammers 8-yard first quarter touchdown run was the lone score of the game, as C of I won at Eastern Oregon, 7-0.
RECORD BOOK: A total of 12 players find themselves on the career Top-25 record list, including
Nick Calzaretta, who ranks No. 3 all-time in rushing attempts (562), rushing yards (2,817) and rushing touchdowns (31), No. 4 in total touchdowns (32), No. 5 in points scored (192), No. 6 in total offense (2,817) and No. 8 in touchdowns responsible for (32).
Hunter Juarez ranks No. 3 in receiving yards (1,736), No. 5 in receiving touchdowns (13), No. 9 in receptions (83), 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. 16 in receptions (52) and touchdown receptions (5) and No. 23 in receiving yards (504);
Ryan Hibbs is No. 11 in touchdown passes (6), No. 14 in passing yards (768), No. 15 in pass completions (53) and No. 23 in pass attempts (91);
Stan Mulderij and
Cameron Simons are tied for No. 6 in field goals (2) and No. 19 in extra points made (9); with
Isaiah Veal No. 18 in touchdown receptions (4) and
Jack Rice No. 18 in touchdown passes (3). Defensively,
Keagan McCoy ranks No. 2 in sacks (13.5), No. 5 in tackles for loss (21.0) and No. 20 in tackles (92);
Isaiah Abdul is No. 12 in interceptions (5) and No. 14 in tackles (104);
Taeson Hardin is No. 11 in tackles (120) and No. 12 in interceptions (5); with
Dylan Martinez No. 22 in interceptions (3).
