BUTTE, Mont.-- Montana Tech came back from a 14-0 deficit at halftime to win the third annual Copper Game 24-17 on Bob Green Field.

A slow start for Montana Tech found the Diggers trailing by a pair of touchdowns of the first quarter of the home opener sponsored by Rocky Mountain Federal Credit Union. After halftime, Montana Tech wasted no time turning over Eastern Oregon as Naoki Harmer intercepted Kai Quinn's pass over the middle and set up the Diggers with a short field. Four plays later, Tanner Kump hit Trevor Hoffman for the Digger's first touchdown of the night from 11-yards out. 

After EOU added to their lead with a 44 yard field goal to jump ahead 17-7, Montana Tech scored two drives later with another 11 yard touchdown pass from Kump to Hoffman. Hoffman led Montana Tech with six catches for 59 yards. The Diggers began the possession in the red zone after Tucker Rauthe picked off an EOU pass to the flat.

Still in the third quarter, Connor Wines picked off a Mountaineer pass and returned the ball to the Eastern Oregon 22 yard line before Kump hit Kenny Lafayette on a throwback pass to put hte Diggers in the lead, 21-17. Montana Tech added a field goal in the fourth quarter to go ahead by seven, 24-17.

Kump finished the night 18-for-36 for 146 yards and three touchdowns while Jed Fike carried the ball 26 times for 151 yards. Fike also caught three passes for 40 yards.

The Diggers were led on the defensive end by Justin May and Jacob Clarke who each had eight tackles. Cam Nissen added seven tackles and had 1.5 tackles for loss.

Montana Tech travels to Ashland, Oregon next weekend to take on Southern Oregon University.