BUTTE, Mont. – Forcing five turnovers against the No. 23 ranked team in the nation, Rocky Mountain College finished the 2019 season with a 38-23 win over the Montana Tech Orediggers on Saturday.
Rocky's (4-7, 3-7 Frontier) offense compiled 253 total yards on offense in comparison to 357 yards from Montana Tech (6-4, 6-4 Frontier). The Battlin' Bears threw for just 108 yards while rushing for 145. On the other side, the Orediggers had 284 yards through the air and 73 yards on the ground. Nevertheless, Montana Tech struggled to maintain possession of the ball in the loss with two interceptions and three lost fumbles.
Down 7-3 later in the quarter, Rocky's
Devonte Woods intercepted a pass from Jet Campbell. The Battlin' Bears'
Riley Garrett took advantage of the opportunity a few plays later to kick in a 44-yard field goal.
In the following drive, Campbell fumbled the ball which was recovered by Rocky's
Prince Johnson in Oredigger territory. On the very next play, Rocky's
Drew Korf connected with
Holden Ryan on an 11-yard touchdown pass to give the Battlin' Bears a 13-10 lead.
Following a
Wyatt Brusven punt to the Orediggers 1-yard line, the Battlin' Bears trapped the Orediggers in their own endzone for a safety. In the following drive,
Sam Sparks rushed from two yards out for Rocky's second touchdown of the day. A rush from
Lucas Overton was successful on the two-point conversion and Rocky led 23-10 going into the half.
In the third quarter, Korf connected with Ryan for a touchdown again to extend the Battlin' Bears' lead to 30-10. In the first play of the following drive, the Orediggers fumbled again which was forced and recovered by Rocky's
Adam Ames.
The Battlin' Bears once again made the most of the opportunity as five consecutive rushes by
Victor Ngalamulume resulted in Rocky's final touchdown of the day. Korf connected with
Chase Truscott in the two-point conversion and Rocky led 38-10.
Montana Tech scored two more touchdowns and drew the game within 38-23 in the final nine seconds, yet the margin proved too great for the Orediggers.
Rocky's
Drew Korf was 13-of-27 through the air for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Campbell was 8-of-24 for 202 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. He also had the team's only rushing touchdown. Kaleb Winterburn was 7-of-10 for 82 yards, one touchdown, and one interception for the Orediggers.
Ngalamulume led the Battlin' Bears in rushing with 56 yards and a touchdown. Blake Counts recorded 60 yards on the ground for the Orediggers.
Ryan caught two receptions for 28 yards and both of Rocky's receiving touchdowns.
Lucas Overton had four receptions for 44 yards.
Trevor Hoffman had four receptions for 98 yards while Woolley-Steele caught two passes for 68 yards and a touchdown for the Orediggers.
Playing in his final game as a Battlin' Bear, Woods led the team in tackles with nine while recording an interception, two pass breakups, and a blocked extra point.
Devin Pope had the team's other interception.
The Battlin' Bears' season ended much like it began with a win over a nationally ranked team in the NAIA. Rocky finishes the season with a 4-7 overall record and 3-7 record in the Frontier Conference.
