BUTTE -- Jarrett Wilson accounted for nearly 300 yards of offense, the defense made two key interceptions, and the No. 6-ranked Montana Tech football team earned a 27-24 home victory over No. 25 College of Idaho Saturday.
With the win, the Orediggers moved to 5-0 for the first time in program history; Montana Tech football dates back to the 1902 season. Four of those wins this season have come against teams also ranked in the Netting Professionals NAIA top 25 coaches' poll.
Saturday's game began as a battle of defensive wills. Wilson found
Levi Torgerson for a 20-yard completion on the Orediggers' first play from scrimmage, but the COI defense held at midfield to force a punt.
After Tech's defense posted a quick three-and-out, the Oredigger offense began to drive. Wilson completed a 34-yard pass to
Colby Martinez to get the Diggers deep into visiting territory, and a 24-yarder to Torgerson set up a first-and-goal. But the Yotes' defense held up.
Wykece Johnson rushed twice down to the 1-yard line, but on his third carry, he was spotted inches short of the end zone.
Both teams traded stops as the first quarter ended without a score.
Montana Tech broke through early in the second. The Orediggers started off with great field position at the Yotes' 36-yard line and made use of it, moving inside the 10 after a pass interference call. That set up Wilson's first touchdown toss of the day, a seven-yarder to
Nick Michelotti.
COI (3-1) responded with a field goal, but Tech again found holes in the defense. Wilson threaded big completions to Torgerson and Michelotti to get inside the red zone, and Johnson finished the drive with a 15-yard, second-effort run that put the home team ahead 14-3 following the PAT.
The Yotes put together a touchdown drive of their own, and Montana Tech settled for a 14-10 lead at halftime.
Tech put the throttle down in the third quarter.
Dominic Umile intercepted a tipped pass on COI's opening possession of the half, and then the offense worked quickly. Wilson ripped off a 54-yard run and then found
Derek Pearse in the end zone for a second passing touchdown. The Orediggers then put together an 11-play, clock-eating drive that
Nate Milanowski capped with a 2-yard touchdown.
The Yotes made it a ballgame in the fourth with a couple of long touchdown passes, but
Daymon Burns intercepted another errant pass with 4:38 left on the clock to stop the rally in its tracks. The Orediggers managed two first downs, including a key three-yard run by Wilson on fourth down, to run out the clock.
"I'm very proud of our players and our assistant coaches. I'm surrounded by great people here at Tech," Oredigger head coach
Kyle Samson said. "Our guys played with a ton of toughness today, but most importantly with togetherness and love for each other. That showed up in the biggest moments.
"A huge thanks to all the fans and families who came out," he added. "Our crowd was tremendous today, and the support we get here is second to none. Our success starts at the top. Our administration and the people that lead our school and athletic department are the best in the country."
Wilson finished with 296 yards between his 188 through the air and 108 rushing. Two of Tech's four touchdowns came from his arm. Torgerson caught eight passes for 92 yards.
Umile highlighted the defense with two tackles, two hurries, and two pass breakups in addition to the interception.
Tel Arthur and
Payton Gonser made five tackles apiece.
Montana Tech will play on Bob Green Field again next week, playing host to Dakota State at 1 p.m. on October 4. It will be the Orediggers' Homecoming game.
Visit Montana Tech athletics' home online, GoDiggers.com, anytime for up-to-the-minute news and coverage of the Orediggers. Give Montana Tech athletics a like on Facebook, and follow the Orediggers on X and Instagram at @DiggerAthletics.
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