CALDWELL, Idaho - College of Idaho stormed back in the fourth quarter Saturday, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to take down Southern Oregon 24–21 and clinch the first Frontier West-Division championship since the league's restructuring. The No. 13 Yotes (9–1, 6–0 Frontier West) will now await their postseason fate in the NAIA Football Championship Series Selection Show on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Trailing 21–10 entering the final quarter, the Yotes leaned on a punishing ground attack and a defense that refused to break. Running back Rylie Byington and quarterback Caden Young carried the offense late, combining for 262 rushing yards as College of Idaho seized full control in the final 15 minutes.
Young jump-started the rally with a 16-yard keeper that pushed the Yotes into the red zone, then connected with Corban Freese for a six-yard touchdown with 9:59 to play, trimming the deficit to 21–18. The score capped a grinding 14-play, 65-yard march that ate nearly eight minutes off the clock.
After the Yotes defense forced a quick Southern Oregon punt, College of Idaho responded with its signature drive of the season: an 18-play, full-field march powered by Byington and Young. Byington punched in the go-ahead one-yard touchdown with 1:08 remaining, giving the Yotes their first lead since early in the second quarter.
The defense closed the door from there. Southern Oregon moved the ball to the 40 but threw four straight incompletions as the Yotes secured the division outright.
College of Idaho opened the game strong, taking a 10–0 lead behind a 29-yard Josh Horn field goal and a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dee'Shon Swafford. But the Raiders surged back with three touchdown passes from Dom Montiel, including an 80-yard strike to Brandon Barthel late in the third quarter.
Young finished with 139 yards rushing and 129 passing, while Byington added 123 yards and the decisive score. Swafford, Chase Brown, and the Yotes secondary delivered three interceptions to keep the game within reach.
With the win, the Yotes finish conference play undefeated and secure the first championship of the Frontier West era. They now turn their focus to Sunday night's NAIA national bracket reveal.
