CALDWELL, Ida. - The Simpson University Red Hawks played its first-ever game tonight as they opened up against the College of Idaho at Simplot Stadium in Caldwell, ID. 

The Red Hawks opened its first-ever game with its offense on full display against one of the top defenses in the nation. 

An electric 51-yard burst by Ezekiel Anderson to the Yote's 38-yard line to open the game put Simpson in Yote's territory. However, the Yote's defense settled down as they forced a punt. 

Toben Michaud did a good job as he pinned the Yotes deep at their own six-yard line. However, it took the Yotes just five plays as they marched 95 yards to grab the 6-0 lead. 

The Red Hawks did a nice job on the point after as they blocked the kick but an unfortunate bounce found the Yotes holder as he ran it in for the two-point conversion to make it an 8-0 lead. 

Following a Red Hawks three-and-out, the Yotes padded its lead on a trick play that saw a wide-open Yote in the endzone to make it a 15-0 game. 


A big third-down conversion on the following C of I drive helped set up a 16-yard touchdown pass to extend its lead to 22. 

The Red Hawk's defense stood tall as they forced a three-and-out on the Yote's first possession of the second quarter. 

The Yotes called on its run game as they pounded the rock for another score to extend its commanding lead on their next possession. 

The Yote's offense continued to have its way as they connected on a 40-yard pass for its second consecutive scoring drive. 

An unfortunate Red Hawk turnover deep in their own territory allowed the Yotes to punch in a quick score to make it a 43-0 lead. 

The Yotes finished the half with a 26-yard field goal to cap off the 46-0 halftime lead. 

Ezekiel Anderson had a stellar first half as he had 73 yards on three attempts which included a 51 and 16-yard burst. 

Going into the half Marcos Maya and Dominique Ruff picked up two receptions each while Brayden Bishop and Mekai Segura each notched three tackles on the defensive side of the ball. 

The Yotes got the ball to begin the second half and came out firing as they took the first play of scrimmage to the house on a halfback draw. But Yotes continued as they scored on back-to-back drives on long runs to pad its lead. 

A muffed punt by the Yotes helped set up the Red Hawks near midfield as Simpson looked to put together a scoring drive. 

The Red Hawks marched deep into Yote territory before nearly getting on the board but just missed a 49-yard field goal try after a holding penalty. 

Simpson could not get on the board as they ended its final drive in Yote's territory as a turnover on downs ended the game. 

Ezekiel Anderson led the Red Hawk's ground attack as he notched 78 yards on the ground for a stellar 8.2 yards per carry average. 

James Webster had a team-high three catches for 22 yards on the night and Kaleb Anderson finished the game at quarterback with 13 completions.

Brayden Bishop, Mekai Segura, and Jeremiah Prinz each notched four tackles on the night as Segura had one pass breakup. 

The Red Hawks faced a tall task to open its football program's history as they went head-to-head with one of the best teams in the nation. 

They look to bounce back next week as they take on Pacific Lutheran University in its first-ever home football game on Saturday at 7 pm at the Bill Johnson Community Stadium. 

Hurry now to purchase single or season tickets at simpsonredhawks.com/tickets.