BUTTE- The No. 6 Orediggers opened up their 2017 campaign in style defeating rival Carroll College 45-28 in the Copper Game.

Picking up from where he left off a season ago, Quinn McQueary tallied 338 yards and three touchdowns. McQueary was 27-for-41 passing and connected with nine different receivers on the night.

Montana Tech trailed 7-0 early on but rallied back quickly on a 73-yard touchdown pass from McQueary to Chris LaChance in the early second quarter.

Complimenting McQueary on offense, Jed Fike rushed 26 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Fike helped turn the game the Digger way when he hauled in a 45-yard pass late in the second quarter.

In the second half, Montana Tech scored three touchdowns and added a 29-yard field goal to put the game out of reach. The endcap for the Digger offensive showing was Dion Williams hauling in an 8 yard strike from McQueary with three minutes left to play.

Reid Siderius and Daniel Van Dyke led the Digger defensive effort combining for 16 tackles. Danny Mannix and Chance Hansen each added a quarterback sack.

Montana Tech will head to Havre next weekend to take on MSU-Northern at Blue Pony Stadium.