CALDWELL — It took all but 15 seconds for the Yotes to light up the scoreboard in 2024.
Hosting Lincoln in the first-ever prime-time game at Simplot Stadium on Saturday night, the College of Idaho put on a show that started early. Jase Applebee returned the opening kickoff to the 1-yard line, setting up a rushing touchdown from Caden Young on the very next play.
It was the first sign of a dominant night from the Yotes. For the second year in a row, the College of Idaho handled the Oaks to open the season, winning 45-7.
The yardage doesn’t suggest an explosive offensive night, but when plays needed to be made, the Yotes came up with them.
After a Willie Nelson interception return set the College of Idaho up inside the red zone, the offense capitalized with another 1-yard rushing score for Young late in the first quarter. They added another touchdown late in the second, with quarterback Andy Peters connecting with Applebee on a 6-yard pass.
In the first game of the season, mistakes and miscommunication are expected. The Yotes showed signs of rust, calling timeouts when there was confusion on where players were supposed to line up, along with some miscommunication between Peters and his receivers.
“It’s the first-game jitters,” Peters said. “You have to knock the rust off from years prior. We have to figure out who we are as an offense. We have to get in our groove. It’s a good day any time you can hang 45 on someone.”
Peters also threw two interceptions — one in the red zone and another that was returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. But through the rough patches, he still showcased his elite dual-threat ability.
In the third quarter, Peters ran for a 45-yard touchdown, extending the Yotes’ lead at the time 35-0. It wasn’t designed as a QB draw play, but once the blitz was picked up, he took advantage of the open space in front of him, made a couple of defenders miss and scampered into the end zone.
Lincoln’s defense played aggressively and sent blitzes often which tested the Yotes’ new-look offensive line. The offensive line broke in three new starters — left guard Carson Darby, center Nathan Metz and right tackle Liam Hays.
“They didn’t play the defense that we thought they would,” Yotes head coach Mike Moroski said. “You never know in an opener. We adapted OK but not great. It kept us a little off-balance in the run game and some of the pass protection. They were blitzing a lot of guys. It’s a good lesson for us.”
Peters finished the night going 10-of-24 for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremiah Chukwudobe caught the other touchdown from Peters, a short 8-yard reception in the third. The offense totaled 342 yards.
While the offense worked through some growing pains, the defense was in midseason form. They held the Oaks to 110 yards of total offense and under 2 yards per play. Four different players recorded a sack. The defense forced seven three-and-outs for the Lincoln offense.
Moroski was most impressed with how much the defense was flying around and rallying to the ball.
“We have very physical guys,” Moroski said. “I’m looking forward to us capitalizing on that energy and speed and all that. I saw flickers of it and just want to see some more.”
All in all, it was a dominant performance that was expected by the Yotes in game one, with the added juice of playing under the lights.
“Some of the guys were talking...the last night game we played was high school,” Peters said. “Typically we’re playing at 1 p.m. so we can get on the bus and travel. It’s a fun atmosphere and I feel like it’s cooler and heightens the fun.”
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