BILLINGS, Mont.- The Battlin' Bears begin a stretch of four consecutive matchups against top-25 opponents on Saturday with a home game against No. 14 College of Idaho. 

Last Time Out

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The Battlin' Bears lost to Eastern Oregon at home a week ago, 23-20. Three turnovers on the afternoon, including two inside the red zone, hurt Rocky tremendously in the loss. The defense tallied three sacks in the loss, and it was the third game this season with three or more sacks in the first four games. 

Scouting Report - College of Idaho

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It has been an interesting start to the season for the Yotes, who notably made a playoff run to the NAIA Semifinal game a season ago. After two dominant wins to begin their season in which they outscored their opponents 110-7, they suffered back-to-back losses to top-25 teams on the road to Montana Western and Southern Oregon. The Yotes bounced back a week ago, defeating Montana Tech in overtime, 45-37. 

While the Yotes rank third in the Frontier Conference in points per game (41.4) this season, their defense has also allowed the most points per game in conference play (39.5), including a conference-worst 401.5 passing yards per game. Senior quarterback Andy Peters ranks third in the conference with 242 passing yards per game this season. In contrast, reserve quarterback Caden Young has made a living in the red zone this season, totaling six rushing touchdowns.

College of Idaho has yet to win on the road this season, totaling a 4-5 away record since the start of the 2023 season. 

Game Notes

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Home Sweet Home
The Battlin' Bears host their third of five home games of the 2024 season on Saturday against the College of Idaho. This weekend marks the only occurrence of back-to-back home games this season and the first time since the 2019 season.

Last Time Out
Rocky dropped a heartbreaker at home to Eastern Oregon a week ago, 23-20. Rocky's offense combined for a season-high 392 total yards in the losing effort. 

Long Trip Home
The Battlin' Bears look to hand the Yotes their first loss in Billings since 2017 when Rocky put together a 31-7 winning effort. College of Idaho won a tight 21-18 contest in 2022 on Herb Klindt Field. 

Beat the Best to be the Best
The Battlin' Bears have four wins over top-25 teams since the 2021 season, most recently defeating No. 16-ranked Montana Tech at home on October 21st last season.

Impact Freshman
Freshman Jason Weston took over the punting duties against Eastern Oregon and shined, averaging 47.2 yards per punt with two punts that traveled over 50 yards on the day. 

Big Plays
Quarterback Graedyn Buell connected with DeNiro Killian Jr. for a 40-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of last week's game, tying the longest passing play for the Battlin' Bears this season. 

Leader of the Defense
Senior captain Mason Browning totaled ten tackles a week ago and was all over the field for Rocky. While his ten tackles were the most by a Battlin' Bear this season, he also got to the quarterback efficiently, tallying 1.5 sacks on the afternoon. 

Key to the Ground Game
Graedyn Buell ranks fifth in the Frontier Conference this season in rushing yards per game (71.3). He has been Rocky's leading rusher in three of their four games this season.