BILLINGS, Mont.- Coming off a key road victory over No. 21-ranked Montana Western, the Battlin' Bears will host No. 13-ranked Carroll College in its home opener on Saturday evening. 

Matchup

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Rocky Mountain College (1-2) vs #13 Carroll College (2-1)
Herb Klindt Field
6:00 pm (MT) 

Preview

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Welcome Home
The Battlin' Bears welcome No. 13 Carroll College to Herb Klindt Field on Saturday for Rocky's home opener. The game marks the first night game for the Battlin' Bears at home since August of 2023, a game in which Rocky defeated Dickinson State 20-19. 

Ground Game
The Battlin' Bear ground attack stole the show in a victory over No. 21 Montana Western, racking up 256 team rushing yards, the program's highest single-game mark since Nov. 4, 2023 (299 yards vs. Arizona Christian). Ty Battle's 176 individual rushing yards were the most by a Battlin' Bear since Oct. 30, 2010, when Michael Thomas posted 203 yards against Montana Tech. Battle's stellar performance was highlighted by breakaway touchdown runs of 85 and 57 yards. He currently ranks second in the Frontier East in all-purpose yards per game (139.7).

Massey Ratings
The Massey Ratings serve as a primary criterion for NAIA Playoff selection. Entering the fourth week of the NAIA season, the Battlin' Bears were the nation's biggest risers in the ratings, jumping 16 spots to No. 22. Rocky currently holds the hardest strength of schedule in the country to date, alongside the second-toughest remaining schedule. Statistically, the Battlin' Bears rank 35th nationally in offense and 25th in defense.

Scouting the Saints 
No. 13 Carroll College enters Saturday's matchup at 2-1, holding victories over MSU-Northern (30-14) and Dickinson State (42-7), with its lone defeat coming against now-No. 2 Montana Tech (24-14).

The Fighting Saints are led by a swarming defense that surrenders just 15 points per game. Linebackers Gage Norslien and Eli Aby, along with safety Kolbe Coey, all rank in the top five in the Frontier West in total tackles, while Norslien's four tackles for loss lead the division. Carroll's pass defense (183.7 yards per game) and rush defense (123.7 yards per game) both rank second in the Frontier West.

Offensively, quarterback Kaden Huot triggers the Saints' attack for the second straight season, averaging 212 passing yards per game with four touchdowns and two interceptions, both coming in the loss to Montana Tech. Tight end Ty Wilkinson leads the receiving corps with 11 catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Carroll posted its first 100-plus team rushing yard performance of the season last week against Dickinson State, as three running backs continue to split the workload.