HELENA -- Montana Tech's football team enters the 2026 season as the favorite to defend its Frontier Conference East Division title. 

The division's coaches voted the Orediggers first of the East's seven teams in the annual preseason coaches' poll, the Frontier office announced Tuesday morning. Montana Tech received the maximum of 36 points, including top nods from all six opposing head coaches in the division. 

Dakota State took second in the poll with 31 points and the remaining first-place vote, followed by Rocky Mountain in third (23 points), Dickinson State fourth (22), Valley City State fifth (17), Mayville State sixth (12), and MSU-Northern seventh (6). 

Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams in the poll. First place is worth six points in the scoring, second is worth five points, third is worth four, and so on to the last place with one point. 

Montana Tech returns a strong core from the winningest team in program history a season ago, including 11 all-conference performers. Wide receiver/return specialist Levi Torgerson, the 2025 Frontier East player of the year, and quarterback Jarrett Wilson, the offensive player of the year, highlight the returners for Montana Tech. Offensive lineman Zach Tierney, defensive lineman Cole Graham, and kicker/punter Casey Kautzman also return to the team after first-team all-league accolades. 

Linebacker Tyler Kovick and defensive back Christian Hansen return after second-team all-league seasons in 2025, and wide receiver Nick Michelotti, offensive lineman Chaise Meyer, defensive lineman Dominic Umile, and linebacker Kellan Beller were honorable mentions. 

Head coach Kyle Samson was the Frontier East coach of the year, and defensive coordinator Montell Allen won the assistant coach of the year award. 

The Orediggers polished off a perfect 11-0 regular season in 2025, cruising to the inaugural Frontier East championship. Tech carried the No. 3 seed into the NAIA Football Championship Series and earned a bye into the second round of the postseason, where they defeated archrival Carroll in the first round before bowing out in the national quarterfinals. They finished 12-1, the most victories in a single season in the program's history. 

Montana Tech begins the quest for another unbeaten regular season and a fourth-straight NAIA playoff appearance on Thursday, August 27 at home against Ottawa (Ariz.) in the annual Copper Game. Tickets are available at GoDiggers.com/tickets.

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