BUTTE—The Montana Tech Orediggers won the Frontier Conference Championship defeating rival Montana Western 24-17 Saturday afternoon.  

It was a defensive battle all day at Bob Green Field, but two huge passing plays were the difference for the Orediggers.

Kolby Kansala had a second half people only dream about, catching two touchdowns. Kansala's first touchdown was late in the third quarter on a critical third and 19. Kansala caught the 27 yard touchdown between two defenders to tie the game at 17-17 at the end of the third.

In the fourth quarter, Montana Tech started a drive on the 20 yard line with 3:33 left on the clock after the Digger defense forced a Western three and out. Montana Tech drove 80 yards on four plays to take the lead 24-17 on another Kansala touchdown. Loudenback found a wide open Kansala running down the middle of the field hitting him for the 55 yard score.

On the ensuing possession, the Orediggers held Western to just three yards on three passes. On fourth down, Levi Dawes batted down the pass to ensure the Oredigger victory.

Montana Tech started the game strong going 81 yards on 9 plays before Matt Berg connected on a 36 yard field goal to give Tech the lead four minutes into the game. Western would respond with a 20 yard field goal with six minutes left in the first quarter.

Clay Cavender found the endzone midway through the second quarter on a one yard rush to give the Diggers a 10-3 lead, but it was short-lived. Western scored twice more in the half. Sam Rutherford rushed for one and a touchdown pass to George Sherwood. Western took a 17-10 lead into the half.

The Oredigger defense held Montana Western scoreless and limited the Dawgs to just 110 yards of offense after the intermission.

Montana Tech held Western to just 253 total yards of offense and forced two fumbles. The Orediggers also sacked the Western quarterback five times.

Tyler Gavlak registered nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack to lead the Digger defense. Luke Benz had six tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks on the day for Montana Tech.

Oredigger senior David Meis had five tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Montana Tech improves to 9-1 and wins the Frontier Conference Championship for the second time under Head Coach Chuck Morrell.

The Orediggers will host a playoff game next Saturday. Playoff information and Montana Tech's opponent will be released tomorrow afternoon.