BILLINGS, Mont.- The Battlin' Bears will kick off their season at home on Saturday afternoon against (RV) College of Idaho with a noon kickoff on Herb Klindt Field.

This Week's Matchup

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Rocky Mountain College (0-0) vs (RV) College of Idaho (1-0)
Saturday, September 6th - 12 pm (MT)
Herb Klindt Field

Game Notes

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Season Opener
The Battlin' Bears will kick off their season at home on Saturday afternoon against (RV) College of Idaho with a noon kickoff on Herb Klindt Field. The Battlin' Bears will be eager to bounce back following a disappointing 2-8 finish to the 2024 season, snapping a streak of three consecutive winning seasons under Head Football Coach Chris Stutzriem. Rocky has fared well in home openers over the past few seasons, totaling an overall record of 4-1 in their home openers since the 2019 season. The Battlin' Bears will have an opportunity to avenge their lone home opener loss in that span, as it came at the hands of the Yotes in the 2022 season with a final score of 21-18. 

QB 1 Returns - Offensive Preview
Redshirt sophomore Trent Nobach will return to start for the Battlin' Bears for the first time since September of 2023. Nobach started the final game of his true freshman season in 2022, throwing for 334 yards and a touchdown against Montana Western. Nobach was named a captain and the opening game starter in 2023, leading the Battlin' Bears past No. 19-ranked Dickinson State 20-19, throwing for 284 yards and two touchdowns. Nobach suffered an injury in the second week of the season that kept him out for the remainder of the season and all of 2024, as he is now poised to set up under center again for the Battlin' Bears entering 2025. 

Nobach will have a mix of new and returning faces surrounding him to open the year. The offensive line features three returning starters from a season ago in Derek Staples (LT), Ivan Olivas, who shifts from guard to center, and Aaron Richardson, who shifts from tackle to guard. Mikale Perry, who redshirted in 2024, moves to the starting spot at right tackle, and New Mexico State Transfer Dylan Post slots in at left guard. Tuff Adams leads the running backs group to open the year, with Chadron State transfer Brock Ping rotating alongside him. Adams started his true freshman season with a role in special teams, eventually earning significant touches in the final three games, totaling 119 yards on the ground and pulling in a receiving touchdown. The wide receiving group showcases high potential with young players vying for opportunities. Senior Eric Lira is the leading returner and the veteran of the group, as he tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns in 2024 with five. Redshirt freshman Darius Haskin will look to build on a flashy performance as a true freshman, compiling six catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns against Montana Western. 

Veteran Presence - Defensive Preview
The Battlin' Bears' defense returns nearly all of their statistical leaders from the 2024 season. The defensive line of John Aragon, Tim Gray, Dakota Sage, and Jabari Madison Jr. all played significant roles last season, as each totaled at least 1.5 tackles for loss. All-Frontier Conference Honorable Mention linebacker Mason Browning returns to start for the Battlin' Bears, along with redshirt senior Cade Reynolds. Browning was an impact player all around the defense in 2024, totaling 53 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions. The secondary also returns a group that made an impact in 2024, led by the team's leading tackler, Dylan Deines. Sophomore Landen Quesnell played in five games last season and racked up 36 total tackles and an interception, while returning starter Trey Smith totaled five pass breakups and two tackles for loss in his true freshman season. 

Scouting the Yotes 
The College of Idaho earned a 21-17 victory in their opening game of the season against Eastern Oregon. The Yotes finished their season with a 7-4 overall record and a 5-3 record in conference play in 2024. Their starter at quarterback for this season is redshirt junior Caden Young. While he didn't start at QB for the Yotes in '24, he played a significant role in the offense, totaling 12 touchdowns on the ground and two in the air. The Yotes return just one of their eight All-Frontier Conference Players from 2024, their punter, Josh Horn. The Yotes' defense held Eastern Oregon to just 59 rushing yards a week ago and shut out the Mountaineers in the second half to lead a comeback effort for College of Idaho.