CALDWELL, Idaho – The top-ranked The College of Idaho football team opened Frontier Conference play in dominant fashion Saturday afternoon, overwhelming Simpson University, 56-14, before a Homecoming crowd at Simplot Stadium. The victory improved the Yotes' unbeaten start while showcasing one of the nation's most explosive rushing attacks.
 
The Yotes controlled every phase of the game, piling up 521 yards of total offense while limiting Simpson to 249 yards. The College of Idaho also commanded possession for more than 40 minutes and averaged 8.7 yards per play, doubling Simpson's 4.3-yard average.
 
After forcing Simpson to come away empty on its opening drive following a missed field goal, the Yotes seized momentum late in the first quarter. A 43-yard march culminated with Rylie Byington powering into the end zone from seven yards out with 37 seconds remaining in the opening period.
 
That score ignited a stretch of 35 unanswered points.
 
The Yotes added three touchdowns in the second quarter, beginning with a six-yard scoring run from Caden Young. Just four minutes later, Ryken EchoHawk broke free for a game-changing 43-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 21-0. Byington capped the first-half scoring with a 19-yard touchdown rush with 16 seconds left before halftime, sending The College of Idaho into the locker room with a commanding 28-0 advantage.
 
The third quarter brought more of the same. Byington finished a 75-yard opening drive with a three-yard touchdown run, then Young answered Simpson's first score with a 14-yard touchdown dash of his own. Simpson found the end zone twice in the quarter, but the Yotes never allowed the visitors to gain any real traction.
 
Byington added his fourth rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter after Young ripped off a 56-yard run to set up the score. Later in the period, backup quarterback Rex Larson connected with EchoHawk on a 19-yard touchdown pass to complete the rout and push the final margin to 42 points.
 
The Yotes' ground game was the story of the afternoon.
 
The College of Idaho rushed for 421 yards on 46 carries, averaging an eye-popping 9.2 yards per attempt and accounting for seven rushing touchdowns. Simpson managed just 128 rushing yards and was held to 3.5 yards per carry.
 
Young led the way with 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries, averaging 13.3 yards per attempt. Byington delivered one of his best performances of the season, piling up 141 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries while also adding a reception for 21 yards. EchoHawk contributed 73 rushing yards, highlighted by his 43-yard touchdown run, and later added a receiving touchdown.
 
Through the air, Young completed 8-of-13 passes for 81 yards, while Larson's lone pass attempt resulted in a 19-yard touchdown strike. Receivers Travis Marieiro, Jase Applebee, Jacob Morales, and EchoHawk all contributed multiple catches as the Yotes spread the ball across the offense.
 
Defensively, The College of Idaho set the tone early. Simpson reached the Yote red zone on its opening possession before Tucker French delivered a 13-yard sack that helped force the missed field goal attempt. French finished with five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
 
Trey Jorgensen paced the defense with a game-high eight tackles and two tackles for loss, while Aleki Noyes, Elton Saole-Su'e, and Mason Michel each recorded five tackles. French and Makani Manuwai combined for the Yotes' two sacks as the defense held Simpson to just nine completed passes and 18 first downs.
 
With the conference-opening victory secured, the No. 1 Yotes will enjoy a bye week before returning to action on Oct. 17, when they travel to face Montana Western. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m