Dillon, Mont. - The 20th ranked Montana Western Bulldogs (6-3, 6-3) lost a hard fought battle to the (RV) College of Idaho 'Yotes (5-4, 5-5) 17-14 on a cold and blustery day at Vigilante Field. 

After going three-and-out on their opening possession, The Bulldog offense began to click with Jon Jund connecting with Walker McKitrick for a 73 yard catch and run for the opening score. 

The 'Yotes were able to answer once they had the wind at their back in the second quarter. C of I quarterback Darius James-Peterson found Connor Richardson on a broken play for a 10 yard strike to even up the score. 

The Bulldogs had a chance to add more points just before half, moving the ball 58 yards on nine plays in just 50 seconds. However the wind got ahold of the 39 yard field goal attempt pushing it left as the clock expired. 

Midway through in the third quarter the 'Yotes began to move the ball before Kyle Schulte forced a fumble in the red zone and Jason Ferris (13 tackles) pounced on it to thwart a 'Yote scoring opportunity.

The momentum was short lived as the 'Yotes blocked the punt on the ensuing Bulldog possession to give them a short field. The Bulldog defense held and forced a long field goal giving the 'Yotes a 10-7 lead. 

On the following possession the Bulldogs reclaimed the lead when Jund found a wide open Nate Simkins for a 50 yard score. Unfortunately the lead was short lived as just four plays later C of I running back David Ford scampered through the Bulldog secondary en route to a 49 yard touchdown giving the 'Yotes a 17-14 lead.  

The Bulldog offense responded driving the length of the field. But a fumble inside the five yard line cost the Bulldogs points. After forcing another C of I punt, the wind pushed a 46 yard field goal attempt wide right. The Bulldogs looked like they were going to get the ball back with under a minute remaining and have a chance with a last minute drive. But Peterson was able to elude a trio of Bulldogs on a fourth down play to gain a first-down and run out the clock to secure the upset victory. 

The Bulldogs drop to second place in the conference, and will travel to Ashland, Ore. on Nov. 10 to face Southern Oregon in the season finale. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. MST. 

Notes:

• The Bulldog defense was able to hold C of I quarterback to one of his lowest rushing outputs of the season, holding him to just 31 yards on the ground. 
• Kylar Prante ran for a career high 96 yards on 20 carries, and had over 100 total yards from scrimmage.  
• Despite totaling over 430 yards of offense, the Bulldogs were only able to find the endzone twice.
• The wind played a factor in the Bulldogs two field goal attempts that missed the mark. 
• The Bulldog linebacking corps had another strong game with three backers recording double-digit tackles (Jason Ferris: 13 tackles and a fumble recovery, Riley Martello: 10 tackles and a tackle for loss, and Joe Caicedo: 10 tackles and a sack.) Kyle Schulte added six tackles and a forced fumble.
• Walker McKritick has 810 yards receiving this season and seven scores. 
• The win gives the College of Idaho five-straight wins, four of which have come against ranked opponents.