Published on: 10/05/2024
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BUTTE — One week after giving up a fourth quarter lead in an overtime loss to College of Idaho, Montana Tech made sure it was a different result against Southern Oregon on Saturday.
After entering the final quarter with a 21-point lead, No. 16 Tech shut the door on No. 7 SOU’s comeback attempt to capture the victory, 42-35.
“Championship teams are measured with how they respond to adversity, and there was no doubt in my mind that this team was going to respond,” Tech head coach Kyle Samson said after Saturday’s win.
“Just a total team win and just a toughness win.”
In Tech’s first home game since its opening victory over then-No. 3 Georgetown (Ky.) on Aug. 29, it managed to pull off yet another top-ten victory.
After some struggles at home in recent years, the Diggers (4-1, 2-1 Frontier) now have a pair of statement wins in its two games at Alumni Coliseum this season.
“That’s something we’ve addressed this year, defending home turf.” Tech quarterback Blake Thelen said.
“We’ve got to protect Bob Green Field…it’s tough when you come all the way from Oregon and you’ve got 6,000 fans rocking the place.”
Bleachers are seen full at Alumni Coliseum during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
Despite being outgained by SOU 494-369, Tech’s ability to capitalize on the Raiders’ mistakes was key to the victory.
As SOU (4-1, 1-1 Frontier) looked to put together a game-tying drive late in the first half, Tech recovered a fumble on failed snap. Just over a minute later, Thelen launched a 26-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt Alexander to give the Diggers a two-score lead going into the break.
Then again late in the third quarter, Tech forced an SOU fumble on a kick return. A few plays later, Thelen scrambled and found the end zone to extend the deficit to 21 points.
In a game decided by one score, the Diggers turned a pair of Raiders’ turnovers into quick touchdowns.
Montana Tech Orediggers quarterback Blake Thelen (10) scores a touchdown during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
“We like to play complementary football,” Thelen said. “The defense goes out and makes plays and we like to go out and make plays back for them.”
“You can’t fake momentum. Once you get turnovers and stuff like that, you go down and score, the game turns around just like that.”
Tech got out to an early lead thanks to wide receiver Levi Torgerson returning the opening kickoff all the way for a score. While the game was tied twice, the Diggers never trailed.
The Great Falls native also hauled in five receptions for 51 yards, including a crucial catch on a fourth down conversion in the first half that led to a Tech touchdown.
“Ever since (Torgerson) came to this program, he’s been a huge difference maker since day one,” Thelen said.
“He does all the right things and he’s always in the right spot at the right time.”
Thelen totaled three touchdowns and threw for 225 yards in the victory. Running back Landers Smith rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns and added another 56 yards receiving. Tight end Logan Kennedy had six receptions for over 70 yards.
Southern Oregon running back Gunner Yates, who entered the day as the NAIA’s leading rusher, had 219 total yards and three touchdowns.
For the Diggers, it’s a vital bounce-back victory to stay right in the thick of things in the Frontier Conference.
Tech has an opportunity for its third top-ten victory of the season when it faces rival No. 9 Montana Western on the road next Saturday.
“We’re going to enjoy the heck out of this tonight, you work so hard for moments like these,” Samson said.
“We know we have another great challenge, and that’s the Frontier Conference. If you’re going to win championships, you got to bring it every week and you got to be able to refocus.”
Montana Tech Orediggers tight end Logan Kennedy (80) dodges tackle attempt by Southern Oregon defensive back Jaxon Jedrykowski (7) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers running back Landers Smith (36) dodges tackle attempt by Southern Oregon defensive lineman Adonis Jackson (10) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers defensive back Christian Hansen (28) tackles Southern Oregon running back Isaiah Hidalgo (3) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers defensive back Angel Sanchez III (0) tackles Southern Oregon wide receiver Trevor Jaasko (21) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech defensive line coach Clifford Mann huddles with the Orediggers during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers defensive back Angel Sanchez III (0) narrowly misses an interception for a pass intended for Southern Oregon wide receiver Trevor Jaasko (21) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Bleachers are seen full at Alumni Coliseum during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
Montana Tech Orediggers tight end Logan Kennedy (80) dodges tackle attempt by Southern Oregon defensive back Jalin Speed (1) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers quarterback Blake Thelen (10) waits for the snap during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers kicker Ryder Barinowski (39) kicks off during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers quarterback Blake Thelen (10) passes the ball during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers tight end Logan Kennedy (80) reacts to a first down during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers wide receiver Levi Torgerson (2) receives a pass from Montana Tech Orediggers quarterback Blake Thelen (10) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers running back Landers Smith (36) charges into the dogpile during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers defensive lineman Wyatt DeVoss (40) recovers a fumble by Southern Oregon quarterback Blake Asciutto (8) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers running back Landers Smith (36) celebrates a touchdown during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers wide receiver Levi Torgerson (2) is tackled by Southern Oregon defensive back Jordan Faifai (23) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers wide receiver Wyatt Alexander (6) is tackled by Southern Oregon defensive back Dyllon Daniels (12) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers running back Christian Vetter (20) is tackled by Southern Oregon defensive back Jaxon Jedrykowski (7) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers wide receiver Wyatt Alexander (6) celebrates a touchdown with Montana Tech Orediggers offensive lineman Max Anderson (77) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers running back Landers Smith (36) celebrates a touchdown during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Southern Oregon running back Isaiah Hidalgo (3) fumbles the ball then recovered by Montana Tech Orediggers defensive back Trae Vasquez (3) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers quarterback Blake Thelen (10) scores a touchdown during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers quarterback Blake Thelen (10) celebrates a touchdown with Montana Tech Orediggers offensive lineman Shannen O'Brien (65) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Montana Tech Orediggers running back Landers Smith (36) squares off with Southern Oregon defensive back Jalin Speed (1) during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
during the Frontier Conference football game between Montana Tech and Southern Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Alumni Coliseum.
Gavin Derkatch is a sports reporter for the Montana Standard. Follow him on Twitter @GDerkatch or email him [email protected]
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