BUTTE— Montana Tech took control early and never let up defeating MSU-Northern 35-10 in the home opener at Bob Green Field.

Wide receiver Mitchell Keeton picked up right where he left off last week, catching six passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Keeton put the Diggers in front hauling in a 16 yard touchdown pass from McQueary in the back of the end zone on the opening series. The touchdown capped a seven-play 66 yard drive.

After forcing a three-and-out on the first Northern possession, the Digger special teams put the offense right back in the redzone when Anthony Nelson blocked the Lights' first punt of the game.

Taking over at the eight yard line, the McQueary to Keeton connection gave the Diggers a 14-0 advantage just a minute later.

MSU-Northern chipped into the Oredigger lead 14-7 when quarterback Jess Krahn found Wyatt McKinley on a four yard strike with 6:28 left in the opening stanza.

After a scoreless second frame, Montana Tech took the 14-7 lead into the break.

Kicking off to Northern to start the third quarter, the Digger defense forced a Northern punt that Levi Lynde returned 51 yards through a wave of bodies setting up the short field.

Two plays later the Diggers increased their lead to 21-7 when McQueary hit the speedy Zach Bunney over the middle from 16 yards out. Bunney bullied his way through three Lights defenders and into the endzone with 11:10 left in the third.

Montana Tech's fourth touchdown of the day come on the defense when Gunnar Kayser picked off a Krahn pass and returned it 35 yards for the score. The pick-six was the second interception in two games for the strong safety. Montana Tech took a 28-7 lead into the final frame.

McQueary capped off his impressive day with a diving touchdown run from three yards out to complete a 76 yard touchdown drive. McQueary finished the day with 245 yards through the air and 23 on the ground. The quarterback accounted for three passing touchdowns and one rushing.

Carlos Martinez and Zach Bunney combined for six catches and 80 yards receiving. Running back Nolan Saraceni gained 34 yards in just a quarter of playing time.

Montana Tech gained 321 yards of offense gained 19 first downs in the winning effort.

It was a big day for the Digger defense as Nic Amestoy and Gunnar Kayser tallied 14 and 11 tackles respectively. The Orediggers sacked Northern's quarterback three times for -31 yards. Anthony Nelson had six tackles and three pass breakups in addition to the blocked punt.

The Diggers host Rocky Mountain College for the Hall of Fame game next Saturday at 1 PM.