La Grande, Oregon- For the first time since 2017, and the fourth time since 1990 the Oredigger football team is starting the season 3-0. The Orediggers rolled to a 45-22 win over the Mountaineers in Oregon, their third straight win at Community Stadium.

The Oredigger offense put up 440 yards on 59 snaps, averaging a staggering 7.46 yards per play. The ground game accounting for 4.6 yards per carry, along with 18.4 receiving yards per catch.

Eastern Oregon's offense moved the ball well for 60 minutes but were hamstrung by a pair of stuffed 4^th down attempts, along with a pair of interceptions by the Digger D. The first interception hauled in by Demario King at the start of the second quarter, and returning it 38 yards for a touchdown (The second pick-six for the Oredigger defense this year) Payton Gonser pulled down the second interception for the Diggs, he also accounted for seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup. Redshirt Freshman Wyatt DeVoss was credited with a pair of sacks and an additional tackle for loss. Junior Matt Whitcomb led the Orediggers with 15 total tackles.

The 45 points is the most the Oredigger offense has scored since the last time these two teams met on September 16^th of last year when the Diggs knocked off the Mounties 49-31. Senior captain Blake Thelen had an outstanding contest Saturday hitting 72% of his passes for 238 yards, and four touchdowns. Wyatt Alexander came down with five catches for 128 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Logan Kennedy was just shy of 100 yards receiving as he is in the books with five catches for 99 yards and a score. Logan wasn't the only Oredigger tight end with a touchdown, as Derek Pearse hauled in a seven yard score. Also joining the party was freshman receiver Nick Michelotti, who caught one pass on the day, good for three yards and his first collegiate touchdown.

Landers Smith led the running backs with 63 yards on 14 carries. Butte's Christian Vetter had nine carries for 47 yards, and Ethan Renner had three carries for 12 yards, along with one catch for 19 yards. The leading rusher on the day for the Orediggers was senior Cade Wyant. Cade had a monster fourth quarter for the Orediggers, rushing for 75 yards on eight carries, averaging 9.4 yards per run. He also completed his only passing attempt for 19 yards.

The Mountaineers were led by quarterback Quincy Glasper who completed 31 of his 45 passing attempts for 259 yards, three touchdowns, and a pair of interceptions. Malachi Spurrie pulled in seven receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown for Eastern. Their leading rusher was Brody Macmillan who gained 57 yards on 16 carries.

The Orediggers will have a quick turnaround, as they are back on the road next week to Caldwell, Idaho to take on the Yotes next Saturday.