Orediggers bury Lights in Butte

The Montana State University-Northern football team struggled to a loss at Montana Tech 54-14 in Butte last Saturday. 

Northern tallied 295 yards of total offense (201 on the ground), while the Orediggers accounted for 512 yards, of which 299 yards were on the ground. Both teams scored one touchdown in the first quarter. Montana Tech took a good leading going into halftime 30-7.

The Lights scored again in the third quarter, while the Orediggers added two touchdowns. Montana Tech finished the game with the final 10 points as former Light's great Kyle Samson's team kept their playoff hopes alive with the win.

Northern quarterback Zach Brooks went 7 for 13 through the air for 97 yards and one touchdown. Cael White caught two passes for 51 yards and one touchdown. Mason Dionne ran the ball 27 times for 122 yards and one touchdown. Northern's defense was led by Grant O'Neill who had six tackles and five solo tackles. Mason Chiles and Michael Watkins added six tackles each.

Montana Tech quarterback Blake Thelen completed 17 of 19 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Landers Smith carried the ball 13 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Logan Kennedy led the receivers with four catches for 47 yards. The defense was led by Cole Wyant who had nine tackles. DJ Brown added eight tackles.

The Lights, who are 0-8 in the Frontier, will close out the season this Saturday against Rocky Mountain College.