ASHLAND, Oregon- The Orediggers struggled down the stretch against No. 3 Southern Oregon on Saturday afternoon falling, 44-12.

The Orediggers (2-1) hung tight with Southern Oregon thanks to a spectacular defensive effort in the first half. Montana Tech held SOU to just three first half field goals when the Raiders were in the redzone and trailed 16-3 at the half.

In the third quarter Montana Tech scored nine straight points on a 24-yard Tyler Padilla field goal and a Trevor Hoffman 20-yard touchdown reception to pull within four points of the Raiders.

SOU went on the score four unanswered touchdowns late in the contest to pull away from the Diggers.

Tanner Kump was 19-for-35 for 232 yards and Danny Peoples was 4-for-10 for 38 yards in relief for Montana Tech. Jed Fike was limited to just 67 yards on 19 carries. Dion Williams led the Diggers with 139 yards receiving on 10 catches while Trevor Hoffman finished with four catches for 57 yards and a score.

Defensively, Carter Myers and Tucker Rauthe led the Diggers with nine tackles apiece. Myers also had a tackle for loss and half a sack. Jacob Clarke and Chance Hansen registered eight and seven tackles respectively and also each had a tackle for loss.

The Diggers return to Bob Green Field next Saturday at 1 p.m. and host MSU-Northern for the Hall of Fame Game.