The No. 20 Orediggers travel south down I15 to face the University of Montana Western Bulldogs in Dillon this Saturday. This game is part of the Town Pump I15 Rivalry which includes Tech, Western and Carroll College.

The Orediggers are coming off a 20-37 upset victory over the Saints and moved into the top 20 of the NAIA Coaches Poll for the first time since 2007. Tech has a record of (1-1) on the year and in conference action.

The Bulldogs are also entering Saturday's contest fresh from a win. They defeated Frontier newcomer Dickinson State 13-28 at home. Western is (1-1) on the year.

Head coach Chuck Morrell is (1-1) against the southern rival. In Dillon, coach Morrell is (0-1) after last year's 55-16 blowout and the Orediggers worst game of 2011.

Montana Tech's passing game and offense is strong and has played well against two nationally ranked opponents in Eastern Oregon and Carroll. Tech is ranked third in the Frontier and seventh in NAIA in passing offense (299.5 yards). In scoring offense, the Orediggers are ranked third in the conference and 26th nationally averaging 29 points a game. 

Junior quarterback Nick Baker is third in the conference in passing averaging 299.5 yards through the air. Baker keeps the opposing teams on their toes by spreading around the touches. Trent Thomas, Zack Kinney and Kevin Moss are all getting in on the action as each of them average 5.5 catches per game and over 15 yards per catch. Kinney and Moss have one touchdown each and Thomas is still looking for his first end zone of the year.

The success of the defense is a contributing factor to the teams' accomplishments this season. Tech is third in the conference in scoring defense holding opponents to 23 points per game. They are ranked third in sack per game with 3.0.

Senior safety Nate Kobold is third in the conference in tackles per game with 11. Kobold also grabbed an interception in the fourth quarter of last weeks' win.

Sophomore linebacker Mike Touzinsky had a big game last weekend. He had five tackles and two for a loss in addition to a 57 yard fumble return and the interception that sealed the win in the fourth quarter. On the season, Touzinsky is averaging 7 tackles and two for a loss per game.

Sophomore defensive lineman Jacob Workman had a solid outing last weekend and is leading the team in sacks after his two-sack performance against the Saints.
 
Kickoff is Saturday evening at 6 PM in Dillon. The game can be viewed online at www.livestream.com/westernbulldogs.