CALDWELL, Idaho -- Montana Western built a 20-7 lead Saturday at sixth-ranked College of Idaho, but the Coyotes rallied for a 38-27 win to stay undefeated on the season.
COI scored first to take a 7-0 lead, but the No. 24 Bulldogs scored 20 unanswered points. Sean Miller and JD Ferris each scored on short rushing touchdowns and Mark Kharchenko booted two field goals to help Western build its lead late in the second quarter.
The Yotes got within 20-10 at halftime and then erupted for 21 third-quarter points. Nick Calzaretta scored his second rushing touchdown of the game and Darius Peterson hit Hunter Juarez for a 31-yard TD. Josh Elsberry capped the third-quarter scoring when he intercepted Western quarterback Jon Jund and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown.
Just Hellyer added a 69-yard scoring run in the fourth to help put the game out of reach. Jund connected with Blake Sentman for a 6-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Jund completed 21 of 34 pass attempts for 306 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked five times in the loss. The Bulldogs were able to muster only 73 rushing yards. Kyle Prante led the way with 58 yards on 16 carries. Nate Simkins had a game-high 115 receiving yards on seven catches.
Peterson finished with 200 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Yotes, who leaned heavily on their rushing attack. They ran the ball 38 times for 195 yards with Calzaretta gaining 82 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and Hellyer gaining 97 yards on seven carries.
Western falls to 6-3 on the season. The Bulldogs host Southern Oregon in their regular-season finale next Saturday.
COI improved to 9-0 and will close the regular season next week with a home game against Montana State-Northern.
