CALDWELL, Idaho — The (RV) Eastern Oregon University Football team's winning streak came to an end Saturday night, as the Mountaineers fell 63-28 to No. 1-ranked and undefeated College of Idaho at Simplot Stadium.
The Yotes struck first with a pair of rushing touchdowns to give College of Idaho an early 14-0 lead. The Mountaineers answered when quarterback
Chase Nelson connected with
Tyler Creswick for a 46-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 14-7. However, the Yotes responded right away with a 49-yard touchdown pass of their own to push the Yotes' advantage to 21-7.
Eastern Oregon continued to battle in the second quarter, putting together a 14-play, 84-yard drive including a 4th down fake punt turned 14 yard rush from
Ethan Cutler to find the final yardage for the first down. Short rushes and passes ended with Nelson finding
Cash Weeks for a 27-yard touchdown.
Tyler Bissel's extra point brought the Mountaineers within 21-14. College of Idaho responded with a touchdown pass from Trezell Patterson to Travis Marieiro to retake a 28-14 lead. As the clock neared the halftime break, the Yotes recovered a Mountaineer fumble and utilized the opportunity to close the half with a final touchdown to take a 35-14 lead into the break.
College of Idaho extended its advantage to start the second half, but EOU answered with its biggest play of the night. Nelson connected with
Coby Tanioka for an 89-yard touchdown strike, cutting the deficit to 42-21 and providing a spark for the Mountaineers. The Yotes quickly regained control, finishing another scoring drive with a two-yard touchdown run to take a 49-21 lead into the fourth quarter.
College of Idaho added two more rushing touchdowns in the final period. EOU continued to compete offensively, as Tanioka connected with Weeks for a 22-yard touchdown pass to cap a 75-yard drive. The Yotes added one final score late in the game to secure the 63-28 victory.
EOU's passing attack produced four touchdown passes, but the Yotes' explosive rushing game proved difficult to contain. College of Idaho finished with 359 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns to maintain control throughout the contest. Nelson led EOU with 311 passing yards and three touchdowns. Tanioka recorded seven receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown, while Creswick added five catches for 85 yards and a score. Weeks contributed three receptions for 68 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite the loss, EOU showed its offensive potential against the nation's top-ranked team, finishing with 399 total yards. However, College of Idaho's powerful ground game and ability to answer the Mountaineers' scoring drives proved decisive.
The Mountaineers return home next weekend, hosting Montana Western October 31st at 1 p.m. PT in Community Stadium.
