Box Score BILLINGS, Mont. – The 17^th-ranked Orediggers defeated Rocky Mountain College 38-33 Saturday afternoon on Herb Klindt Field. With the victory, Montana Tech improves to 4-1 on the season while Rocky falls to 3-3 overall and 2-3 Frontier.
 
Running back Nolan Saraceni had his fifth straight 100-yard rushing effort with 188 total yards on 32 carries and three scores. Senior Andrew Loudenback got the nod at the starting quarterback position and went 7-for-16 for 147 yards and a touchdown.
 
Shot caller Chase White of RMC went 22-of-32 for 287 yards and two touchdowns for the Battlin' Bears.
 
It was an offensive explosion in the first half as both teams combined for 538 yards of offense. The Orediggers dominated the half with 353 total yards including 236 on the ground. Tech also ran 49 plays while the Battlin' Bears ran just 27.
 
The Orediggers struck first with a 12-play 75-yard drive which led to a one-yard Saraceni touchdown run to put Tech up 7-0.
 
Rocky responded right back with a touchdown pass from White to Kalen Reed however the Battlin' Bears missed the extra point and trailed 7-6.
 
Tech scored back-to-back touchdowns in 31 seconds. Zach Bunney rushed for a two-yard touchdown to put Tech up 14-6. The Orediggers had some tricks up their sleeve as Matt Berg kicked a successful onside kick recovered by the Diggers on their own 45-yard line. Lounenback connected with Zach Winfield on a 53 yard touchdown to give the Diggers the 21-6 lead.
 
The scoring would continue throughout the half. Tech took a 35-26 lead via Saraceni's third touchdown in the half. In the ensuing Rocky possession, the Battlin' Bears fumbled in their first play of their drive on their own 26 yard line. Tech took advantage as Berg hit a 43-yard field goal to end the first half to put Tech up 38-26.
 
It was a true defensive battle in the second half. Neither team was able to score in the third quarter. Rocky broke the scoring drought late in the fourth quarter via a Kodee Varner touchdown run. However, the Orediggers were able to hold on to the 38-33 victory.
 
The Orediggers return home on October 17^th when they host the Lights on MSU-Northern at 1:00 p.m. for Hall of Fame weekend.
 
Notes: Saraceni now has 768 rushing yards on the season which tops the Frontier Conference and ranks third in the NAIA. Chuck Morrell is now 3-3 all-time against Rocky Mountain College. The last time the Orediggers were 4-1 was in 2012. That year the Orediggers won the Frontier Conference Crown.