Box Score BILLINGS, Mont.- The first series of the ballgame felt like a thrown gauntlet by the Orediggers. On third down at 10 from the Diggs own 20 yards line, Blake Thelen dropped back and hit a streaking Wyatt Alexander for an 80-yard strike. Montana Tech led 7-0 1:20 into the game.

They would hold onto a lead going into halftime, 21-14.

The second half was controlled by the Bears, scoring 14 unanswered points in the third quarter, and equally important, keeping the Orediggers out of the endzone for the final 30 minutes. It is the first time this season the Diggs have been held scoreless in a half of football.

On the day Montana Tech ran 66 plays for 363 yards of total offense. Quarterback Blake Thelen completed 16 of 31 pass attempts for 269 yards and one touchdown. He was intercepted once and also sacked four times.

Wyatt Alexander finished with four catches for 138 yards, and one score. Mark Estes had three catches for 47 yards, and Jordan Jackson finished with 2 grabs for 21 yards.

Landers Smith led the running attack for the Diggs, with 14 carries good for 89 yards. Senior Blake Counts also packed the rock 14 times for 33 yards, and a pair of Oredigger touchdowns.
The nation's leading punter Andrew Almos raised his average, with 5 punts for 250 yards. Those five punts include a 67-yarder, and two downed inside the 20-yard line.

Rocky Mountain College (4-4, 2-4 conf.) was led by Quarterback Graedyn Buell. Buell accounted for all four Bear touchdowns. Graedyn completed 22 of 40 passing attempts for 265 yards and three touchdowns. He was also the leading rusher in the contest with 135 yards on 14 attempts, he rushed for one score.

Montana Tech (4-3, 3-2 Conf.) will be back on Bob Green Field on Saturday as they host Arizona Christian for Senior Day. Kickoff 1 p.m.


                                                                                                                                    ***