Montana Tech football crowned co-champions of Frontier Conference

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In two short years, the Montana Tech football program has made a dramatic 180 degree turn. In 2014, the ‘Diggers limped to a 1-9 overall record.

On Saturday, the ‘Diggers won their 11th straight home game and at least a share of their second straight Frontier Conference title with a 42-21 victory over College of Idaho on Bob Green Field.

The win guarantees Tech (8-1) the league's automatic NAIA playoff bid heading into the final week of the regular season. The Orediggers hold the tiebreaker with Eastern Oregon, which currently sits in second place at 7-2.

It was the final regular season home game of the year, and the ‘Diggers were led on the field by senior quarterback Quinn McQueary.

“I thought we had an overall good day today,” said McQueary, who threw four touchdowns. “There are little things here and there that we need to execute on. We’ll pick up in the film room and get those corrected.

"But overall, I felt that our offensive line had a great day, running backs had a great day and our receiving core had a great day. Overall a good team day.”

Coming out of the locker room after halftime, Tech had a 28-14 lead over the College of Idaho. Unlike the first half, both teams got off a slow start. Neither team could penetrate the red zone until the final five minutes of the third quarter.

Then, over a span of two-and-a-half minutes and eight plays, the Yotes (3-7, 2-7 Frontier) drove the length of the field from their own 20-yard line. Freshman quarterback Darius-James Peterson, who rushed for 19 yards, capped the march with a 5-yard scoring run for his third touchdown of the game.

But Tech responded with its own touchdown in the final three minutes of the quarter. McQueary and senior running back Nolan Saraceni powered a scoring drive that ended when the senior quarterback tossed a 12-yard pass to Zach Bunney to push Tech’s lead to 35-21.

The ‘Diggers notched their final touchdown of the game on a muffed punt. Yotes freshman wide receiver Griffey March fumbled the ball and Tech junior tight end Andy Butcher scooped it up for the 1-yard touchdown.

Despite the loss, Yotes coach Mike Moroski said he was happy that his team played with confidence.

“Montana Tech is an exceptional team on both sides of the ball,” Moroski said. “We had trouble slowing them down early on, but we hung in there and got a goal and then a second one. All of a sudden we have a chance. We held them in the second half and got it to 28-21. And then, you know, it just comes down to a few plays.”

The Orediggers got off to a hot start in the first quarter, needing just five plays to score on their opening possession. Saraceni rushed into the end zone from 36 yards out to make it 7-0.

But the Yotes quickly put their own points up on the board. Peterson, who racked up 166 rushing yards, broke through the ‘Diggers line and dashed in for a 57-yard touchdown to knot the score.

Tech, which leads the conference in rushing and is second in passing, proved why it’s worthy of those accolades. McQueary threw 14-yard pass to sophomore Dion Williams for the team’s second touchdown. He ended the quarter by zipping a 53-yard pass to senior wide receiver Mitchell Keeton for the ‘Diggers third touchdown.

In the second quarter, College of Idaho and Tech scored one more time. Peterson scored his second touchdown of the half with a 6-yard run, and McQueary found Williams again for an 18-yard score.

McQueary finished the game with 294 passing yards and 111 rushing yards.

“Quinn’s been incredible,” Tech coach Chuck Morrell said. “His leadership capabilities have just grown. Every time he steps on the field he’s one of the fiercest competitors I’ve coached. He loves the game and I’m really proud of the way he’s stepping up to lead our offense.”

Tech’s offense finished with 253 rushing yards. The Yotes were limited to 210 passing yards and 234 rushing yards.

The Orediggers' home success is due the mindset and culture the team has created, Morrell said.

“We talk about how every time we step on this field, we defend Montana Tech’s field,” he said. “We defend Butte. I’m very proud of our guys and how they operate down here. They’re hungry every time they step on this field to get a win.”

Tech’s final regular season game is against Southern Oregon at 1 p.m. next Saturday in Ashland, Ore.

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