IDAHO — The College of Idaho’s football program vaulted into a share of the NAIA’s top spot this week, earning a tie for No. 1 in the STADIONIC NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 Poll following a convincing nonconference victory.
Statement win pushes Yotes into national spotlight
The poll released this week lists the College of Idaho tied at the top with Keiser (Fla.). The Yotes improved to 4-0 after a 35-19 triumph over Montana Tech, a matchup that had been billed as a No. 2 vs. No. 3 game. That result and the Yotes’ scoring prowess — the team has vaulted to fourth in the NAIA in scoring, averaging nearly 49 points per game — were cited as drivers of the jump in the weekly rankings.
College of Idaho will host Simpson (Calif.) in a Frontier West conference game Saturday at 1 p.m. MT. The matchup gives the Yotes a chance to build on the momentum created by the win over Montana Tech and to sustain a national title conversation as conference play begins.
How the top of the poll shapes up
The top of this week’s coaches’ poll reflects a mix of holdovers and movement. Keiser (Fla.) is listed in the tie for No. 1 alongside the Yotes, while several other nationally prominent NAIA programs held steady.
- T1. College of Idaho (4-0) — 35-19 win over Montana Tech; averaging nearly 49 points per game.
- T1. Keiser (Fla.) (2-1) — remains at the top in a shared position.
- 3. Indiana Wesleyan (4-0) — prolific offense, second in the NAIA at 55.8 points per game.
- 4. Benedictine (Kan.) (5-1) — recent shutout and defensive improvement noted.
Other programs mentioned as holding steady in the poll include Morningside (Iowa), Friends (Kan.), Campbellsville (Ky.), St. Thomas (Fla.), Marian (Ind.), Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), Carroll (Mont.), Southeastern (Fla.) and McPherson (Kan.). Cumberlands (Tenn.) entered the top 25 at No. 25 this week.
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | College of Idaho | 4-0 |
| T1 | Keiser (Fla.) | 2-1 |
| 3 | Indiana Wesleyan | 4-0 |
| 4 | Benedictine (Kan.) | 5-1 |
Notable individual performances and storylines
Indiana Wesleyan’s offense is a major storyline elsewhere in the poll. The Wildcats are scoring at historic levels and are second in the NAIA at 55.8 points per game. Quarterback Arjun Lothe was highlighted as a Campbell Trophy semifinalist, and running back Ryan Whitwell has been a dominant ground force; Whitwell was one of two players in the NAIA with double-digit rushing touchdowns at the time of the poll and was leading the association with more than 178 rushing yards per game, totaling 713 rushing yards through four games.
Benedictine (Kan.) drew attention for its first shutout of the season and defensive improvements after an early-season loss. Cumberlands (Tenn.) made the top 25 at No. 25 following a 3-1 start, and Evangel slipped into the receiving votes.
Local implications and what to watch
For Caldwell and the College of Idaho community, the jump in the coaches’ poll is a validation of an offensive attack and schedule that have kept the Yotes in national conversations early in the season. The upcoming conference slate will test whether the team can sustain its scoring pace against familiar foes and contend for frontier conference honors.
Fans planning to attend Saturday’s home game should note kickoff time is 1 p.m. MT. With the Yotes ranked among the nation’s top offenses, local interest and attendance figures are likely to be brisk for conference openers, and the program will seek to maintain its unbeaten start.
As the season progresses, the poll will be watched closely by local supporters and rivals alike to see if College of Idaho can hold its place among the NAIA elite.
Reporting for WE NEWS.
