(Editor’s note: Montana Tech media release)
CALDWELL, Idaho — Montana Tech started off its 2018 campaign on the right foot, defeating College of Idaho 36-16 on Saturday afternoon.
The Diggers (1-0) earned their first win in program history in Caldwell thanks to a fantastic performance by running back Jed Fike. The Harrison native rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns.
College of Idaho jumped ahead of the Diggers 3-0 before Montana Tech added a 41-yard field goal from Tyler Padilla early in the second and a Dion Williams touchdown reception from 7 yards out to tie the contest up at 10-10 at the halftime.
After a successful onside kick, the Diggers took the ball and the moment and added their second Fike touchdown of the day on a 1-yard run with 13:31 left in the third quarter. Fike scored again from the 4-yard line on the next possession to push the Diggers out to a 24-10 advantage in the third quarter.
After trading touchdowns, the Diggers added a Matthew Drake 24-yard field goal with 2:28 to play sealed the game.
The Diggers recorded 24 first downs and gained 221 rushing yards against College of Idaho. Montana Tech’s defense proved itself against the Yotes, who had previously led the Frontier Conference in rushing the past two seasons, holding COI to just 19 rushing yards in the contest.
Carter Myers led Montana Tech defensively with seven total tackles while Jacob Clarke added six takedowns. Brock Beede recorded 1.5 sacks and Justin May tallied an interception.
Montana Tech improves to 1-0 and will host Eastern Oregon University on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. for the Copper Game on Bob Green Field.
