LA GRANDE, Ore. — The College of Idaho took Eastern Oregon University down to the wire on Saturday night at Community Stadium but ultimately came up short in a hard-fought 30-24 contest. Despite the loss, the Yotes displayed their resilience, rallying multiple times and delivering big plays on both offense and defense.
The Yotes opened strong, striking first on a four-play, 20-yard drive capped by Hunter Gilbert's 5-yard touchdown run. Eastern Oregon answered with a field goal and took the lead on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Quincy Glasper to Malachi Spurrier. Eastern Oregon then extended its lead with a 91-yard touchdown run from Glasper in the second quarter, but the Yotes fired back. Quarterback Andy Peters drove College of Idaho downfield in two plays, scoring on an 8-yard run to narrow the gap to 17-14. Just before halftime, William Botch kicked a 20-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17.
In the third quarter, Eastern Oregon regained the lead on a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colton Kesey. Unfazed, College of Idaho responded with a balanced 10-play, 70-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from quarterback Caden Young to tie it up at 24-24.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Yotes' defense came up big. Amari Bluford broke up a third-down pass, forcing an EOU punt and giving the Yotes a chance to take the lead. On the ensuing drive, Young kept the offense alive with a fourth-down completion to Tommy Hauser, positioning the Yotes deep in Mountaineer territory. However, late penalties proved costly, negating several key plays and stalling the Yotes' drive. EOU kicker Tanner Shattuck then added two fourth-quarter field goals, including a 37-yarder with four minutes remaining, to secure the win for the Mountaineers.
