Frontier Notebook: Yotes coming of age

Around the Frontier Conference last Saturday, fans were likely shocked to see the final score from the game in Caldwell, Idaho. It read: College of Idaho 64, Montana Tech 35.

And shortly thereafter, fans were likely quick to point at that All-American Tech quarterback Quinn McQueary didn't play and star running back Jed Fike was lost to an injury early in the game. And certainly, those factors played a part.

However, that didn't change a single thing when it came to what the College of Idaho offense did to the Oredigger defense, and it certainly shouldn't diminish the Yotes' accomplishment. The Yotes piled up more than 600 yards of offense, and NAIA Player of the Week Nick Calzaretta rushed for 162 yards and five touchdowns, as C of I beat a ranked NAIA team for just the third time since it brought back football. C of I's defense also took advantage of Tech missing its star players, holding the Diggers to just 82 yards rushing.

The monumental win by the Yotes put Tech's playoffs hopes in peril, too, making the Diggers' home game with Southern Oregon this Saturday, a must-win, and even that may not get Tech in at this point.

However, the victory in Simplot Stadium was more about the Yotes, and less about Tech's late-season slide. Head coach Mike Moroski has built a program at C of I, literally from the ground up. Using a ground-based attack has been brilliant because, one, it's easier to recruit, too, when the program was in its infancy, and secondly, it's tough to prepare for. And now, four years in, C of I is reaping the benefits of Moroski's creation.

Sure, the Yotes have beaten good teams before, and yes, they've won some big games in each of their first three seasons in the Frontier Conference. But, with any new program, there have also been growing pains, and the Yotes have experienced those too.

However, 2017 seems different. It seems as though the Yotes have firmly arrived. They are a veteran team, and many good players will need to be replaced, but the fact remains, the Yotes are staring at their first winning season, and that's something that can't be overlooked.

Last Chance

After what C of I did to Montana Tech last week, the Montana State University-Northern Lights will be up against yet another tall order when they travel to Caldwell Saturday for their season finale.

Northern played a gutsy and tough game against Frontier champion Southern Oregon last Saturday at the Blue Pony Stadium, but the fact remains the Lights' defense is beat up and has struggled against running teams all season. And now, to close the season, Northern has to face the best rushing attack in the league. The Yotes average 228 yards per game on the ground, and 5.4 yards per carry. Quarterback Darius James-Peterson is averaging 101 yards per game and has scored 12 touchdowns, while Calzaretta is coming off an incredible performance against Tech. On the flip side, the Lights are playing several defenders out of position and are also playing a host of freshmen and red-shirt freshmen on defense, and as a result, they are allowing 293 yards rushing per game. So C of I's style of offense doesn't bode well for Northern's wounded defense.

However, MSU-N does have one x-factor, and that's senior linebacker Garet Fowler. Fowler has 105 tackles this season, and he averages 10.5 per game. Both are tops in the Frontier, and should warrant him serious consideration for Defensive Player of the Year honors. Former Northern linebacker Stetson Koffman's season-record of 133 tackles is probably not within reach for Fowler, but he has still put together a monster season, and he'll do what he can to slow down the Yotes' running game Saturday.

Playoff Picture

Montana Tech's November slump has made this Saturday's game against No. 5 Southern Oregon a nonfactor in the Frontier title chase, as the Raiders clinched the outright championship with Tech's loss last Saturday. However, both teams have a lot to play for in Butte.

Tech slipped to No. 21 in the latest NAIA Coaches Poll, and that rating doesn't look good for Tech's at-large playoff berth chances. Also, only once in the last decade has a three-loss Frontier team received an at-large berth. That said, Tech can give itself a good chance to get back in the at-large discussion with a win over the fifth-ranked team in the country. Generally, teams need to be inside the Top 20 in the final regular season poll to be considered, and an upset of the Raiders would certainly push Tech back up the polls, at least a couple of notches.

The Raiders meanwhile, are playing for a top seed in the playoffs. And they can't afford to take their foot off the gas. They are still ranked fifth and if that's where they were seeded, it would likely mean just two home games, and a road semifinal game in the playoffs. A loss to Tech, and the Raiders would likely only get a first-round home game, and then have to go on the road for the remainder of the playoffs.

So while Saturday's game at Alumni Coliseum in Butte didn't live up to what it looked like it was going to be a month ago, there's still plenty at stake for both the Diggers and Raiders. Plus, they don't like each other much, so that it should be a great game, and a great way to finish the Frontier season.