Carroll Football Falls 36 to 13, College of Idaho Clinches West

On November 8, 2025, Carroll College saw its ninth month of the season end in disappointment as No. 8 Carroll fell 36 to 13 to No. 15 College of Idaho in a Frontier Conference matchup at Nelson Stadium. The loss clinched the Frontier West division automatic berth for the College of Idaho and left the Saints with shaken postseason hopes.

Carroll opened with a dramatic 62 yard punt return touchdown that put the Saints up 7 to 0, but the offense stalled after that early spark. Carroll was held to just 125 total yards for the game while the Yotes controlled possession for 42 minutes and 56 seconds, wearing down the home side and limiting second half opportunities. College of Idaho repeatedly capitalized on turnovers and sustained drives, building a lead that Carroll could not overcome.

Quarterback Kaden Huot of Helena, a junior, was held without a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The Saints converted just two of 11 third down opportunities, a performance that halted drives and increased the burden on a defense that spent extended time on the field. Those statistical realities combined to make this a decisive road for the Yotes and a sobering night for Carroll supporters.

The immediate implication is straightforward. With the College of Idaho securing the automatic berth, Carrolls route to the postseason is significantly narrowed and will now depend on conference calculations and any at large possibilities. For players and coaches the game represents a pause to assess personnel and strategy as the college and program prepare for the offseason.

For Lewis and Clark County the game has community level consequences. Carroll College football is a local institution that brings students families and residents together, contributes to local businesses on game days and serves as a point of civic pride. A season ending earlier than hoped reverberates through campus life and the small enterprises that benefit from college events.

Beyond wins and losses there are public health and equity dimensions that surface after a tough season. Student athletes at smaller colleges often navigate academic demands training schedules and health care access with fewer resources than larger programs. Losses can strain mental health and spotlight the need for robust on campus medical care concussion protocols and mental health services. Community leaders health care partners and college administrators may need to consider how to better support athletes in both injury prevention and recovery and in mental health care after hard losses.

As Carroll moves forward, attention will likely turn to roster development coaching adjustments and ensuring that student athletes have the health and academic supports they need. For local residents the outcome is a reminder of how collegiate sports connect to community wellbeing and why investment in both athletic programs and student health services matters for equity and resilience in Lewis and Clark County.