By Montana Tech Sports information
BUTTE, Mont. – Big plays and big stops were the feature of the Montana Western and Montana Tech rivalry game today. The Bulldogs prevailed over the Orediggers 38-28.
The (RV) Bulldogs (2-1, 4-1) hand the No. 11 Orediggers (3-1, 4-2) their first Frontier Conference loss of the season.
The Orediggers struck first just minutes into the game when Blake Thelen connected with Jordan Jackson on a 49-yard touchdown pass. But the Bulldogs marched down the field to tie the score at seven on a Jake Humphry 11-yard touchdown run.
On the next drive, the Orediggers began to move down the field again until a muffed snap in the wildcat formation led to a Bulldog touchdown when Kameron Rauser took the fumble into the endzone going up 14-7.
Tech evened the score on the next drive when Thelen connected with Wyatt Alexander on a 20-yard strike for his second touchdown pass. Thelen finished the game with 306 yards and three touchdowns.
Trading scores continued but Western finished on top at halftime 24-21 and received the ball after the break.
The Bulldogs held the Orediggers scoreless in the third quarter forcing a punt and a turnover on downs. Western scored on three straight possessions in that time putting the Orediggers at a 38-21 deficit in the fourth quarter.
Thelen tossed his third touchdown of the game to Jackson again on a 37-yard scoring puling the Orediggers to a 38-28 with 5:50 to play. Jackson finished with eight catches for 151 yards.
The Bulldogs were able to hold the ball for the remaining minutes for the victory.
Blake Counts led the Orediggers in rushing with 67 yards and one touchdown.
The Bulldogs running game kept their drives moving. Pete Gibson had 102 yards on 11 carries. Jake Humphries had 16 carries for 100 yards and a score.
Michael Palandri went 19 for 27 and 224 yards through the air with one touchdown. Palandri also ran for 83 yards and a score.
The Tech linebackers were busy with Tel Arthurfinishing with 15 tackles and Cole Wyant had 13 stops and a sack.
The Orediggers are off next weekend and return to action against Rocky Mountain in Billings on October 21st.
https://godiggers.com/sports/football/stats/2023/montana-western/boxscore/3769
