Yotes football set to take the field under the lights

The College of Idaho has its first game of the season Saturday, and in doing so will mark another first.

With kickoff set for 7 p.m., it becomes the first night game in school history. The Yotes are calling it a blackout — wearing all-black uniforms and encouraging fans to wear black to the game.

For the second year in a row, the College of Idaho hosts Lincoln University in the season opener. Based in Oakland, California, the Oaks are without a home stadium and play exclusively on the road. Last season, the Yotes defeated Lincoln 37-7. The Oaks went 0-12 last year. It’s unknown if Lincoln, who has applied for NCAA Division II status, has been granted the designation.

The Oaks will play a variety of opponents across three levels of college football this season. On its schedule are four Division I FCS opponents, three Division II teams and four NAIA schools. Lincoln is not officially part of any conference, operating as an independent.

Saturday’s game represents a potential springboard into a season with high expectations. Not only were the Yotes selected as the preseason favorites in the Frontier Conference coaches poll for the second year in a row, the College of Idaho checks in at No. 4 in the NAIA preseason rankings.

The Yotes received seven of nine first place votes in the conference poll. Montana Western and Southern Oregon each got one vote.

The College of Idaho has excelled in season openers, going 7-3 since 2014 and winning five in a row.

Reaching the semifinals last season, the College of Idaho has every reason to believe they can achieve the heights of last season. Led by quarterback Andy Peters, the Yotes return multiple key players from last season’s record-setting offense. They’ve also added potential impact transfers in running back Jeremiah Chukwudobe and wide receiver Tommy Hauser to further boost the offensive production.

Defensively, the Yotes return six of their top seven tacklers from last season. Linebacker Willie Nelson, safety Jacob Arms and defensive end Kobe Roberts are just a few of the cornerstone pieces returning.

In total, the College of Idaho returns eight all-conference performers from last season.

Following the game against Lincoln, the Yotes will host another night game next Saturday when they play Simpson University (Calif.), a school in its first year of competition and future Frontier Conference member. They’ll have a bye week after that, followed by back-to-back road games against Montana Western and Southern Oregon.

From there, the Yotes will alternate between home and road games to finish out the regular season.