BUTTE -- Levi Torgerson and Jarrett Wilson teamed up for three touchdowns through the air, Tyler Kovick had a huge game on defense, and the Montana Tech football team topped archrival Carroll, 31-21, Saturday afternoon to advance to the NAIA Football Championship Series quarterfinals. 

The third-seeded Orediggers (12-0) will play host to No. 8 seed College of Idaho on Bob Green Field next Saturday, December 6 at a time to be determined. 

On Saturday's opening possession, the Fighting Saints (9-3) drove deep into Montana Tech territory before the Orediggers made a stand. Facing fourth-and-2 at Tech's 22-yard line, Kellan Beller stepped up to tackle Carroll quarterback Kaden Huot a yard short of the first down to win the ball. 

Wilson then found the magic touch. The Orediggers' sophomore quarterback broke a 60-yard run on third down to get Tech into the red zone. On the next play, Wilson hit Torgerson, who reversed field into the end zone. Casey Kautzman's extra point gave the hosts a quick 7-0 lead. 

Fourteenth-seeded Carroll drove downfield again, reaching Tech's 5-yard line. But Tech cornerback Christian Hansen rushed off the edge and sacked Huot for a 15-yard loss. The ensuing Saints field goal attempt was wide left. 

Montana Tech didn't wait long to add to the lead. Wykece Johnson broke a 17-yard run to get the drive started, but then it appeared to stall. Facing third down and 13, Wilson fired a strike to Torgerson over the top of the Saints defense, and the senior streaked into the end zone for a second time. It was 14-0 Orediggers with 2:22 left in the first quarter. 

Tech's defense didn't have to bend on the next series, forcing a three-and-out that the Orediggers turned into more points on Kautzman's 23-yard field goal. 

The home team took a 17-0 lead into halftime. 

Carroll finally got on the board in the third, a 12-yard touchdown pass from backup QB Quinn Stamps to tight end Carson Ochoa, but Montana Tech again had the answer. After big first-down completions to Nate Milanowski and Parker Johnston got the Orediggers into enemy territory, Tech whipped out another trick play that has put the signature on much of the unblemished season. This time, Torgerson took a pitch in the backfield and lobbed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Wilson, who was open in the corner of the end zone, that made it a 24-7 Tech lead. 

Then the Saints began to march. Stamps took the visitors downfield and hit Ochoa again for a score, this one from 23 yards out. Carroll then pulled some trickery of its own, recovering a surprise onside kick to retain possession. On their third play of the drive, the Saints made it a ballgame with another Stamps-to-Ochoa connection. The extra point brought the score to 24-21 in Tech's favor. 

Carroll, with all the momentum as the fourth quarter began, forced Montana Tech to punt again, but Kautzman unleashed a beauty that Justin Webber downed at the Saints' 1-yard line. On third down, linebacker Tyler Kovick streaked uninhibited into the backfield, sacking Stamps and forcing a fumble that Trey Yates dove onto in the end zone with 9:16 to play. 

The insurance was all Montana Tech needed. Carroll put together another threatening drive, but the Oredigger defense proved clutch again when it mattered most. Tel Arthur and Anthony Okes stood Stamps up for no gain on third down and goal, and David Lowry broke up the fourth-down pass in the end zone to complete the red-zone stand with 4:44 on the clock. 

Tech's offense took care of the rest, winding the clock down to 16 seconds before punting the ball deep into Saints territory as the score held. 

Torgerson took home the game's offensive MVP award for his performance while Kovick, who finished with 10 tackles, the sack, and the forced fumble, won defensive MVP. Wilson wrapped up the day with 197 passing yards, including the two touchdowns, and another 94 yards on the ground. Arthur made a team-high 12 tackles. 

The win was Montana Tech's first in the postseason since 2016 and improved the Orediggers to 2-0 all-time at home in the NAIA playoffs against their bitter rivals. 

With a win next Saturday, Montana Tech can advance to the NAIA FCS semifinals for the first time since 1996. 

The quarterfinal meeting will be the second of the season between Tech and College of Idaho, both in Butte. The Orediggers won the first matchup, 27-24, September 27. Details on the quarterfinal game, including game time and ticket information, will be available soon.

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