2022 Football Notebook (Week 7 at Montana Western)

Football | 10/18/2022 1:47:00 PM

UNDEFEATED: There are five undefeated teams in the NAIA ranks including the Yotes. The last time that College of Idaho started the season with a 6-0 mark was in 2019 en route to an 11-1 mark. Among the unbeaten teams in the NAIA are: Morningside, Grand View, Bethel (Tenn.) and Lindsey Wilson.
 
BYE WEEK SUCCESS: Since 2014, the Yotes are 9-0 in games following a bye-week - including a 42-24 road win during Week 3 of this season over Southern Oregon following a Sept. 10 bye.
 
ROAD GAME SUCCESS: For the third full season (excluding the 2021 spring season) that the Yotes have won their first three road games. The 2021, 2019, 1959 and 1953 teams all started the season with three wins in its first three road games.
 
GROUND GAME GLANCE: In all six games, College of Idaho has had multiple rushing touchdowns. Since 2014, College of Idaho has had five seasons of at least six games with multiple rushing touchdowns including nine games in 2019 where they found the end zone by the ground game. Also, College of Idaho has outgained its opponents on the ground in all six games. Between the running tandem of Allamar Alexander and Hunter Gilbert and an experienced offensive line, the Yotes have had a 100-yard rusher in the last four games. 

BIG TIME BROCK: Twice, this season, College of Idaho has had a one-play touchdown drive. Last time out, against Montana Tech, the Yotes' Andy Peters found an open Brock Richardson for a 75-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 21. Earlier this season, down 13-7, the Yotes connected on a one play, 68-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Hibbs to Richardson put the momentum back on the sidelines for C of I, who went ahead for the remainder of the game after the PAT by Spencer Fiske. Richardson is the first C of I receiver since Hunter Juarez - who had five - in 2019 to have multiple 100-yard receiving games.
 
CALLING MY OWN NUMBER: Junior wide receiver Jon Schofield from the Wildcat setup in the offense has rushed for a pair of touchdowns in the last two games. Against Montana Tech, Schofield ran the ball four times for 33 yards and two touchdowns and versus Carroll, he had five rushes for 14 yards and two touchdowns.
 
4th DOWN SUCCESS: Coming into the Montana Tech game, C of I was 3 of 8 on 4th down but it was a pair of key fourth-down conversions that played a role into the win over the Orediggers. Facing 4th and 2 with 1:12 left on the game clock, the Yotes converted a 4th down when Hunter Gilbert ran for five yards to extend the drive and the game. Earlier in the game, trailing 14-7 in the third quarter, Andy Peters connected with Brock Richardson on a 4th and 7 for a 10-yard reception to extend the drive for the game-tying touchdown.
 
YOTES AT No. 7: The Yotes are at the No. 7 spot for the second-straight in this week's national poll. College of Idaho is joined in the top 25 by two other Frontier Conference foes. Also, in the rankings are Rocky Mountain College (No. 14) and Montana Tech (No. 24). Having been in the top 25 for seven-straight weeks, College of Idaho has the 16th longest active streak. College of Idaho ended the 2021 season ranked in the final NAIA Top-25 Coaches Poll, earning the No. 25 spot in the ranking. 
 
SECOND HALF SUCCESS: College of Idaho is outscoring its opponents, 141-42 in the second half with a 65-17 advantage in the fourth quarter. Opponents are 13 of 41 (31.7%) on third down in the second half.
 
ONE-TWO PUNCH: Linebackers Jacob Batubenga and Dylan Martinez tied a season-high with nine tackles against Montana Tech. Martinez leads the team with 38 tackles (24 solo, 14 assist) and Batubenga is third with 28 tackles (16 solo, 12 assist).