By Montana Tech Sports Information
ASHLAND, Ore.- The Orediggers of Montana Tech are now 3-0 in Frontier Conference play after a 31-21 win at Southern Oregon.
The Orediggers set the tone of the game in the first possession, going 63 yards on 14 plays for seven points. In addition, grinding over seven minutes off the clock.
The Orediggers were able to put more points on the board before Southern answered. Ryan Lowryknocked a 39-yard field goal through the uprights with 2:30 left to play in the first quarter, to put the Diggs up 10-0.
On the very next drive, Southern got rolling. In a drive that took 5:24 off the clock, the Raiders went 75 yards on 11 plays for seven points. The 10-7 score would hold until halftime.
Southern Oregon would get their only lead of the contest, the first possession of the third quarter. With an 11-play drive covering 75 yards, the Raiders took a 14-10 advantage. A lead they would hold for 56 seconds.
The Orediggers, now trailing 14-10, would start their first possession of the second half at their 40-yard line. On first down Landers Smith would get them four yards on the ground. Second down ended in an incompletion, intended for Levi Torgerson. On third down Blake Thelen would hook up with Wyatt Alexander for a 56-yard scoring strike. After the PAT, the Orediggers would lead 17-14 and never trail again.
Landers Smith had another big day for the Diggs. After rushing for 101 yards last week against Eastern Oregon, he put up 110 yards on 22 carries in Ashland. Landers had one rushing touchdown as well. The other rushing touchdown went to Butte native Christian Vetter who had 3 carries for 30 yards, one of those carries for 24 yards and a score.
Wyatt Alexander continued his incredible season with seven catches for a season-high 143 yards and one TD. In four of his five games this year he has raced past 100 yards receiving.
Blake Thelen passed for 215 yards and two touchdowns, on 15 of 26 passing. Blake continues to distribute the ball effectively, hitting seven different receivers.
Montana Tech ran 66 offensive plays for 370 yards, 215 through the air, and 155 on the ground.
The Digger D had two takeaways on the afternoon, both interceptions. One by Jaden Downs, the other Payton Gonser. Matt Whitcomb accounted for 10 tackles, and Jaden Macneil tallied nine.
Southern Oregon quarterback Matt Struck threw for 189 yards and a pair of scores on 20 of 37 passing.
Montana Tech has now won the last six meetings with the Raiders of Southern Oregon.
The Orediggers return home this Saturday to host the Bulldogs of Montana Western. Kickoff 1 pm, at Alumni Coliseum.
