BUTTE, Mont. – Big offense and big time stops by the Montana Tech defense highlighted the upset victory over the College of Idaho. No. 15 Montana Tech defeats No. 7 College of Idaho 44-35.

The Orediggers halted the lone possession by the Yotes in the fourth quarter ceasing the momentum they were trying to build.

The Yotes started their drive at the their own 25-yard line with 8:51 to play. They clawed their way down the field held to fourth down at the 33-yard line before a sideline interference penalty gave them a new set of downs. But the Orediggers stopped them a second time. Two incomplete passes and a great stop by Angel Sanchez III pushed them to a final chance.

A missed 39-yard field goal would be the last time the Yotes held the ball.

Sanchez led the Orediggers defense with 11 total tackles on the day, with four coming on that final drive. Jaden MacNeil and Cole Wyant had eight tackles each in the game.

Another big defensive play took place at the start of the game that set the tone for the day. Major Niccum picked a tipped ball out of the air on just the second offensive play for the Yotes setting up a second Oredigger touchdown in the opening minutes.
Niccum finished with four tackles.

Blake Counts scored the first two for Tech giving the Orediggers a 14-0 lead early in the first. Counts finished with 72 yards on seven carries. Counts left the game in the first half.

But what Counts started in the first half, Landers Smith finished in the second. Smith, the fullback on the roster this year, carried the ball 23 times for 99 yards and a touchdown to cap off the day of scoring.

The Orediggers put up 34 points in the first half and finished the game with 548 yards of offense. Blake Thelen went 17 for 27 for 361 yards and two touchdowns. Thelen hit Mark Estes for a 43-yard score and Levi Torgerson caught a 20-yard touchdown pass.

Torgerson had four catches for 81 yards including a long of 31.

Wyatt Alexander led the receiver core making a few big catches finishing with 131 yards on three receptions. He came up just short on the endzone on a 47-yard reception.  

Jordan Jackson had six catches for 70 yards.

The College of Idaho had 491 yards of offense. Andy Peters went 28 for 42 for 354 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 59 yards to lead the team.

John Kreps caught five passes for 85 yards and a score. Brock Richards caught four passes for 76 yards and a score.

Linebacker Mathew Iwamizu was in on a number of stops finished with 14 tackles, 12 as assisted stops.

Montana Tech hits the road next weekend when they make the long trek to Ashland. The Orediggers face the Southern Oregon Raiders on their turf next Saturday.