DILLON, Mont. – In their first conference game of the season, The College of Idaho Yotes fell short against the University of Montana Western, losing 42-25 on Saturday at Bulldog Stadium.
Montana Western's Michael Palandr had a standout performance, throwing for 398 yards and four touchdowns. The Bulldogs built an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter, and despite a strong effort from the Yotes in the second half, the deficit proved too large to overcome.
Andy Peters led The College of Idaho offense, completing 23 of 44 passes for 267 yards and rushing for a touchdown. Peters also rushed for 75 yards on 16 attempts. Running back Caden Young found the end zone on a one-yard run in the second quarter, while Jackson Stampfli added a 49-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Kicker William Botch contributed a 19-yard field goal just before halftime.
The Yotes offense showed resilience, accumulating 438 total yards, including 189 on the ground. Peters' fourth-quarter rushing touchdown capped a three-play, 47-yard drive, but the Bulldogs' defense held firm, forcing turnovers on downs in the red zone and limiting the Yotes' comeback attempts.
Defensively, Tanner Steele led The College of Idaho with eight total tackles, while Jacob Arms recorded an interception that set up a late scoring drive.
The Yotes will look to bounce back in a nonconference game next Saturday, September 21, when they travel to Ashland, Oregon, to take on Southern Oregon University. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. MT
