GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The Frontier Conference hosts the 2021 Football Media Day today at 3 p.m. The conference head football coaches will address the media and the event can be viewed on the Frontier Conference Facebook page.
Link to Media Day
Montana Tech
2019 Record
6-4, Frontier 6-4
Last Time
· The Orediggers finished 6-4 in 2019 under then-Head Coach Chuck Morrell
· In 2019, the Orediggers finished fourth in the conference standings
· The Orediggers had six first team and three second team all-conference selections
· Senior linebacker Carter Meyers was named Honorable Mention All-American who led the conference in sacks
For the Record
· Head Coach
Kyle Samson enters his first season as a head football coach
· Coach Samson served as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for the Orediggers in 2019
· Previously Coach Samson led the Flathead High School football program for five seasons reaching the AA state title game in 2018 after an 18-year drought
· Coach Samson coached in the Frontier Conference for the Montana State Northern Lights as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach from 2007-14
· The Orediggers open the season at home on August 28th in the Copper Game presented by Rocky Mountain Credit Union
· The Orediggers host Eastern Oregon at 6 p.m. on Bob Green Field at Alumni Coliseum
· The Orediggers did not play in 2020-21 season
Checking the Numbers
· Under Coach Samson, the Orediggers had one of the top running attacks in 2019 rushing for 190.5 yards a game and finished with 21 rushing touchdowns
· The Orediggers return 5 starters on offense
· The Orediggers return 3 starters on defense
· The Oredigger offense ranked 4th in the Frontier Conference in offense per game (25.0 PPG) and 4th in total offense (397.5 yds/gm)
· The Oredigger defense ranked 2nd in the Frontier Conference in total defense (17.2 PPG), 2nd in rushing defense (117.6 yds/gm), and 1st in pass defense (161.4 yds/gm)
Top Returners
Jet Campbell, QB, R-JR, 6-4, 210, Billings, Mont.—Started in all 10 games in 2019. Completed 122-of-219 pass attempts for 1,967 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Rushed 71 times for 150 yards and 6 touchdowns. Caught 1 pass for 7 yards and a touchdown against Southern Oregon on Sept. 21st. Named academic all-conference.
Blake Counts, RB, SO, 5-11, 225, Kalispell, Mont.— Played in all 10 games in 2019. Rushed 186 times for 839 yards and 8 touchdowns. Caught 1 pass for 15 yards. Career high in yards (155) against MSU-Northern on Sept. 28th. Career high carries (35) and touchdowns (3) against Eastern Oregon on Oct. 26th. Selected second team all-conference.
Trevor Hoffman, WR, SR, 6-4, 205, Renton, Wash.—Started all 10 games in 2019. Caught 52 passes for 1,018 yards and 8 touchdowns. Ranked 6th nationally in receiving yards per game (101.8 YPG). Selected first team all-conference. Named academic all-conference.
Kiley Caprara, WR, R-JR, 5-10, 170, Butte, Mont.—Started 9 games in 2019. Caught 23 passes for 357 yards and 1 touchdown. Threw one touchdown pass to
Jet Campbell against Southern Oregon on Sept. 21st. Named academic all-conference.
Hunter Spartz, OL, R-JR,6-3, 280, Green River, Wyo.—Started in all 10 games for the Oredigger offensive line in 2019. Named academic all-conference.
Logan Kolodejchuk, DL, JR, 6-1, 230, Kalispell, Mont.—Started all 10 games in 2019. Registered 31 tackles (7 solo, 24 assisted), 4 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. Forced 1 fumble. Season high 10 tackles against Rocky (11/16). Named academic all-conference.
Spencer Schock, LB, R-SO, 6-0, 210, Missoula, Mont.—Saw limited action in 2019 due to injury. Named academic all-conference.
Zach Trumble, DL, R-SO, 6-3, 250, Valleyford, Wash.—Played in all 10 games in 2019. Recorded 19 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. Blocked a field goal.
Jake Orvis, DB, R-JR, 6-1, 170, Billings, Mont.—Played in 8 games in 2019. Registered 19 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, had 11 pass breakups, and had an interception against Eastern Oregon.
Naoki Harmer, DB, R-JR, 5-10, 180, Bellevue, Wash.—Played in 7 games in 2019. Registered 20 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and had 4 pass breakups. Returned 5 kickoffs for 83 yards.
Players to Watch
Kyle Torgerson, WR, RS-FR, 5-10, 170, Great Falls HS
Mark Estes, WR, R-SO, 6-1, 190, Montana State University
Wyatt Alexander, WR, R-SO, 6-2, 190, Whitehall HS
Kaleb Winterburn, RB, R-SO, 6-2, 220, Helena HS
Carson Shuman, OL, R-SO, 6-2, 300, Washington State University
Jack Hiller, OL, R-JR, 6-5, 295, LaCenter HS, Wash.
Jordan Washington, DB, R-SO, 5-11, 185, Cathedral HS, Calif.
Brandon Morley, DB, R-SO, 6-1, 200, Sentinel HS
Teddy Croft, DB, JR, 6-1, 205, Homer HS, Alaska
Cade Hariss, LB, R-SO, 6-4, 240, Kentwood HS, Wash.
Blake Allred, LB, R-SO, 5-11, 215, Montana State University
Esai Longoria, DL, SR, 6-3, 310, University of Montana
