By MT Tech Sports Information.
Butte, Mont.- The No. 16 Orediggers of Montana Tech are back at Alumni Coliseum for Homecoming.
After back-to-back night games, this Saturday matchup with the Mountaineers of Eastern Oregon University will be the first afternoon game of the year.
The Mountaineers roll into the Mining City 0-2 on the young season, with a 38-14 non-conference loss to Montana Western, and a 42-28 loss to Div. III Whitworth University.
Eastern Oregon is led by redshirt junior Quincy Glasper at quarterback. Quincy is a transfer from Central Washington University, where he made 5 starts and fourteen appearances for the Wildcats. In 2021 he was named the GNAC (Great Northwest Athletic Conference) Offensive Player of the Year. So far this year he has completed 55 passes on 94 attempts for 513 yards and four touchdowns. Glasper is also their leading rusher with 40 yards on 22 carries. Running backs Aiden Patterson and Anthony Peterson will also be in the backfield. Patterson has 13 carries for 38 yards, and Peterson has 25 yards on nine carries.
Eastern always has speed at receiver, this season is no exception. The Mountaineers have spread the ball out to three solid guys thus far. Blake Davis, and Colton Kesey each have eight receptions, and Walker Camp sits with seven.
Defensively they are led by their secondary, returning three players with a lot of experience. Under Coach Camp the Eastern defense has been a very aggressive defense, showing a lot of blitz looks, and odd man fronts. They have gotten pressure on opposing quarterbacks this year with 12 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
The Orediggers enter the game 1-1 overall, and riding significant momentum from a huge win over Central Washington last week. All three phases of the game were firing for the Orediggers.
Offensively, Blake Thelen tied a school record with five passing touchdowns last week. Two of those scores went to Wyatt Alexander, and one each to Levi Torgerson, Jordan Jackson, and Derek Pearse. Thelen hit seven different receivers in throwing for 277 yards.
Senior running back Blake Counts rushed for 126 yards on 28 carries. The 28 carries in a game is his highest total since October 26th, 2019 when he had 36 carries, 136 yards, and three TD’s against Easter Oregon University.
The Digger D a year ago, was one of the best in the country against the pass, and that trend has continued this year, only allowing 170 yards per game through the air. In two games the Diggs have two interceptions, and in incredible 12 pass breakups. Add in four sacks and eight tackles for loss, the Digger Defense is ready to roll Saturday.
This is the 36th meetings between the two programs, with the Orediggers winning 20 of the 35 previous games. That 60%-win percentage is a bit better at home, as the Orediggers have won 11 of the 18 games played at Alumni.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1pm, tailgate will open at 11a, and gates will open at noon.
