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Category: College of Idaho

  • College of Idaho Dominates Morningside to Advance in NAIA Playoffs

    College of Idaho Dominates Morningside to Advance in NAIA Playoffs

    Final: College of Idaho 37, Morningside (Iowa) 19

    The College of Idaho Yotes delivered a commanding performance at Simplot Stadium on Saturday afternoon, dispatching the Morningside Mustangs 37-19 in the second round of the NAIA Football Championships. Playing in front of 2,194 fans in chilly, windy conditions, the Yotes improve to 11-1 and advance to the quarterfinals.

    First Half: Yotes Build Cushion

    College of Idaho set the tone early, marching 75 yards on their opening drive capped by a 26-yard touchdown pass from Caden Young to Corban Freese. The Yotes defense held firm, and Josh Horn added a 31-yard field goal to push the lead to 10-0.

    Then came the play of the game. Travis Marieiro broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run on just the first play of a drive, extending the lead to 17-0 with 10:14 left in the second quarter. Horn connected on another field goal from 30 yards to make it 20-0 before Morningside finally got on the board—Zack Chevalier finding Kelynn Jacobsen for a 5-yard score with 2:11 remaining in the half.

    The Yotes took a 20-7 advantage into the locker room.

    Second Half: Mustangs Surge, Yotes Answer

    Horn’s 34-yard field goal in the third quarter pushed the lead to 23-7, but Morningside came out swinging in the fourth. A grueling 17-play, 75-yard drive ended with Max Hough punching it in from a yard out, cutting the deficit to 23-13. Then Chevalier connected with Drew Sellon on a 33-yard strike just minutes later, and suddenly it was a four-point game at 23-19 with 8:20 to play.

    That’s when Young and Marieiro struck again. On a critical third-and-long, Young found Marieiro streaking down the sideline for a 61-yard touchdown that silenced the Mustangs’ momentum. The Yotes added one more score late—a 20-yard touchdown pass to Preston Chamberlin with 12 seconds remaining—to seal the 37-19 victory.

    By the Numbers

    Caden Young was efficient when it mattered most, completing 10-of-20 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns while also leading the team with 101 rushing yards on 21 carries. Travis Marieiro was electric, totaling 158 all-purpose yards (78 rushing, 80 receiving) with two touchdowns on just four touches.

    Morningside’s Zack Chevalier threw for 276 yards and two scores but was hampered by two sacks and an interception. Drew Sellon hauled in 11 catches for 132 yards in a losing effort.

    The Yotes controlled the clock (34:38 to 25:14) and dominated on the ground with 269 rushing yards compared to Morningside’s 85.

    Travis Mariero was named NAIA Second Round Outstanding OFFENSIVE Player of the Game

    Matthew Iwamizu was named named NAIA Second Round Outstanding DEFENSIVE Player of the Game

    Up Next

    College of Idaho advances to the NAIA quarterfinals, continuing their quest for a national championship. They will travel to Butte, Montana to play the #3 Montana Tech, who won against #11 Carroll 31-21.

    The Yotes are now 9-1 with 7 straight wins.

  • Young Explodes for 349 Yards in Yotes Victory

    Young Explodes for 349 Yards in Yotes Victory

    BILLINGS, Montana – Quarterback Caden Young delivered a masterful performance, accounting for 349 total yards and three touchdown passes as No. 18 College of Idaho defeated Rocky Mountain 37-20 on Saturday afternoon at Herb Klindt Field.

    The Yotes improved to 2-0 on the season behind Young’s dual-threat capabilities, as the senior signal-caller completed 23 of 35 passes for 238 yards and three scores while adding a team-high 111 rushing yards on 17 carries.

    Fourth Quarter Explosion Seals Victory

    After Rocky Mountain’s Darius Haskin hauled in a spectacular 75-yard touchdown reception to cut College of Idaho’s lead to 16-14 in the third quarter, the Yotes responded with authority. Young orchestrated three consecutive touchdown drives in the final frame to put the game away.

    The highlight came on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Morales, who made a circus catch while battling two defenders before tumbling into the end zone. Young also found Torey Watkins for a 5-yard scoring strike earlier in the fourth quarter.

    While Young commanded the offense, he received plenty of support from his skill position players. Watkins led all receivers with 10 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, serving as Young’s most reliable target throughout the contest.

    Running back Rylie Byington provided the ground game’s finishing touch, carrying 19 times for 91 yards and capping the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown plunge in the closing minutes. Travis Marieiro also contributed with five receptions for 49 yards and a crucial 4-yard rushing touchdown before halftime.

    The Yotes dominated time of possession 40:09 to 19:51 and amassed 484 total yards of offense, including an impressive 246 yards rushing that wore down the Battlin’ Bears defense.

    College of Idaho’s defense rose to the occasion when needed most, limiting Rocky Mountain to just 29 rushing yards for the entire game. While Battlin’ Bears quarterback Trent Nobach threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, the Yotes’ ground control and defensive stops in crucial moments proved decisive.

    Haskin was virtually unstoppable through the air for Rocky Mountain, hauling in six catches for 207 yards and two long touchdown receptions, but the Yotes’ ability to control the game on the ground ultimately made the difference.

    Looking Ahead

    The victory sets up College of Idaho perfectly for their next challenge as they return home to Caldwell for Homecoming weekend. The Yotes will host Montana State-Northern on September 20th at 12:00 PM, looking to maintain their perfect start to the season.

    With Young’s dynamic playmaking ability and a balanced offensive attack complemented by opportunistic defense, College of Idaho appears well-positioned for another successful campaign as they climb the national rankings at 2-0.

    Team Statistics

    Game StatsCOIROCKY
    Total Yards484365
    Pass Yards238336
    Rushing Yards24629
    Penalty Yards9-906-55
    1st Downs3114
    3rd Downs8-144-11
    4th Downs0-00-1
    TOP40:0919:51
    Scoring PlayVisiting Team ScoreHome Team Score
    1ST QUARTER
    ROCKY11:31 – ROCKY – Tuff Adams 7 yd pass from Trent Nobach (Austin Drake kick) 8 plays, 85 yards, TOP 3:2907
    2ND QUARTER
    COI10:19 – COI – Jackson Ames 6 yd pass from Caden Young (Josh Horn kick failed) 13 plays, 91 yards, TOP 6:1067
    COI01:55 – COI – Travis Marieiro 4 yd run (Josh Horn kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:14137
    3RD QUARTER
    COI05:20 – COI – Josh Horn 31 yd field goal 9 plays, 53 yards, TOP 4:45167
    ROCKY03:23 – ROCKY – Darius Haskin 75 yd pass from Trent Nobach (Austin Drake kick) 4 plays, 88 yards, TOP 1:521614
    4TH QUARTER
    COI12:57 – COI – Torey Watkins 5 yd pass from Caden Young (Josh Horn kick) 11 plays, 81 yards, TOP 5:212314
    COI06:38 – COI – Jacob Morales 32 yd pass from Caden Young (Josh Horn kick) 7 plays, 82 yards, TOP 4:343014
    ROCKY05:55 – ROCKY – Darius Haskin 53 yd pass from Trent Nobach (Trent Nobach pass failed) plays, yards, TOP 3020
    COI01:47 – COI – Rylie Byington 1 yd run (Josh Horn kick), 9 plays, 55 yards, TOP 4:083720

    Next Game: Montana State University-Northern
    Date: September 20, 2025 | 12:00 PM
    Location: Caldwell, Idaho (Homecoming)

  • College of Idaho Football: Ready to Compete in New Divisional Era

    College of Idaho Football: Ready to Compete in New Divisional Era

    College of Idaho Yotes Enter 2025 with High Expectations and Fresh Conference Format

    The Yotes football program is gearing up for what promises to be one of their most exciting seasons yet as they prepare for the 2025 campaign under the leadership of veteran head coach Mike Moroski. With a new divisional format in the Frontier Conference and momentum from recent success, the Yotes are positioned to make another strong run at championship glory.

    Graphic by Boknowcreative, Collaborated via Instagram – 3 MORE SATURDAYS (as of Sat, Aug. 9th)

    A Program Rebuilt to Excellence

    Since reinstating football in 2014 after a 37-year hiatus, the College of Idaho has transformed into a consistent contender under Mike Moroski, who has posted a record of 53-38 since taking over the program and was voted the 2019 Frontier Conference Coach of the Year. Moroski, a former NFL quarterback who played for the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Oilers, and San Francisco 49ers, was announced as head coach on January 9, 2013.

    The program’s recent trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. From 2019 to 2022, the Yotes posted a record of 29–7 and won at least a share of the Frontier Conference each year. Most notably, Moroski’s 2019 team completed a perfect 10-0 league record, winning the Frontier Conference title, reaching the NAIA Football Championship Series quarterfinals, ending the season 11-1 and ranked No. 5.

    2024: Building on Semifinal Success

    The 2024 season served as a launching pad for even greater ambitions. The Yotes were named preseason favorites to win the Frontier Conference in 2024, garnering 7 out of 9 first-place votes in the Coaches’ Poll, following their historic run to the NAIA semifinals for the first time in program history during the 2023 season.

    The Yotes opened the 2024 season in style, defeating Lincoln 45-7 in the first-ever prime-time game at Simplot Stadium, with the offense capitalizing on early opportunities and the defense holding the Oaks to just 110 yards of total offense. However, despite another winning season in 2024, the Yotes narrowly missed out on the playoffs, fueling their determination for the upcoming campaign.

    New Conference Format Brings Fresh Opportunities

    The 2025 season introduces a significant change to the competitive landscape. The Frontier Conference has unveiled a divisional format for the 14 football-playing schools, featuring East and West Divisions with seven teams each, aimed at enhancing competition and postseason opportunities within the NAIA.

    The College of Idaho will compete in the West Division alongside familiar rivals Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, Carroll College, Montana Western, Simpson University, and Arizona Christian. This new structure promises intense divisional battles, with the top team in each division based on its best six-game record securing an automatic berth to the NAIA Football Championship Series, with additional at-large berths also in play.

    2025 Schedule: A Test of Championship Mettle

    The Yotes have assembled a challenging schedule designed to prepare them for postseason success. College of Idaho will kick off the 2025 season at home on Saturday, Aug. 30 against Eastern Oregon, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal divisional matchup right from the start.

    Key games on the schedule include:

    • September 6: at Rocky Mountain
    • September 20: MSU-Northern at home
    • September 27: at Montana Tech
    • October 4: at Simpson University (West Division)
    • October 18: Montana Western at home (West Division)
    • October 25: at Eastern Oregon (West Division)
    • November 1: Arizona Christian at home (West Division)
    • November 8: at Carroll College (West Division)
    • November 15: Southern Oregon at home (West Division)

    The slate culminates with a Nov. 15 showdown against Southern Oregon in Caldwell to close out the regular season, potentially serving as a division-deciding contest.

    What to Expect in 2025

    Under Moroski’s experienced leadership, the Yotes have established themselves as a program that consistently competes at the highest level of NAIA football. Since 2014, the Yotes have produced 8 All-Americans, 56 all-conference selections, and 26 NAIA All-Academic selections, demonstrating excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

    The program’s offensive philosophy has evolved to become increasingly potent, with the 2024 team showing glimpses of explosive potential. Defensively, the Yotes have built a reputation for aggressive, swarming defense that can control games against quality opponents.

    Championship Aspirations

    With a strong returning core and a determined mindset, the Yotes are already looking ahead to training and preparation for a pivotal 2025 campaign. The new divisional format provides a clearer path to the playoffs while maintaining the competitive intensity that has defined Frontier Conference football.

    For a program that has already reached unprecedented heights in recent years, 2025 represents an opportunity to take the next step toward a national championship. With Moroski’s proven leadership, a challenging schedule that will prepare them for postseason play, and the motivation of narrowly missing the 2024 playoffs, the College of Idaho Yotes are positioned to make 2025 a memorable season.

    As FLOWW Network begins its coverage of College of Idaho athletics, football fans can expect compelling storylines throughout the season as the Yotes pursue their championship goals in an increasingly competitive and restructured conference landscape. The stage is set for what could be one of the most exciting seasons in program history.

    The College of Idaho Yotes will open their 2025 season on Saturday, August 30, when they host Eastern Oregon at Simplot Stadium in Caldwell. For the latest updates and coverage, follow the team’s progress throughout the season.