BUTTE—Montana Tech's defense shined bright against the Lights as the Diggers shutout MSU-Northern 40-0 on Bob Green Field.

The Oredigger defense limited MSU-Northern to just 189 yards of offense picking off three passes and forcing five turnovers. Montana Tech blocked a punt for a touchdown and recovered a fumble for a score in the second half. The Orediggers totaled seven sacks against the Lights.

Montana Tech's two offensive touchdowns came by way of QB keepers. Quinn McQueary scored a rushing touchdown from nine yards out midway through the first quarter. In the fourth quarter, Clay Cavender kept the ball in the wildcat formation and scooted 67 yards to the endzone. Cavender rushed 14 times for 144 yards and threw one pass for 27 yards. McQueary completed 8-of-19 passes for 147 yards and gained 15 yards rushing.

Two of Montana Tech's three interceptions were returned for scores against the Lights. Drew Schleeman scored the game's first touchdown on a pick-six from Northern's 17 yard line. In the beginning of the fourth quarter, Tyler Sanders returned an interception to the house 60 yards.

Oredigger defensive back Rial Gunlikson scored the only touchdown of the third quarter when he returned a blocked punt 23 yards for the score. Gunlikson's return gave Montana Tech a 20-0 lead with 4:34 left in the third quarter.

The defense's good fortune didn't stop there as Dion Williams recovered a fumble in the endzone in the fourth quarter to push Montana Tech's lead to 33-0 with 13:35 left in the game.

Gunnar Kayser led Montana Tech's defense with nine tackles, while David Meis and Tyler Gavlak is added seven. Gavlak had two-and-a-half sacks. Will Davey also had an interception in the first half.

The defensive shutout is the first for Montana Tech since they defeated Rocky 45-0 in 2004.

The Orediggers improve to 5-1 in the Frontier Conference while Northern drops to 0-6.

Montana Tech takes on I-15 Rival Carroll College at Nelson Stadium next Saturday at 1 PM.