BILLINGS, Mont.- The Battlin' Bears will look to repeat their success from their last matchup with a ranked Orediggers squad as they take on Montana Tech on Saturday afternoon. 

Game Information

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Rocky Mountain College (1-6) vs #15 Montana Tech (5-2)
Saturday, October 26th, 2024 | 1:07 pm
Butte, Montana

Scouting Report - #15 Montana Tech

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Montana Tech will mark the fourth consecutive matchup for the Battlin' Bears against a top-15 team in the NAIA. The Orediggers enter the weekend with an overall record of 5-2 and a conference record of 2-2. The Montana Tech offensive has been explosive this season, averaging 43.00 points per game, led by the top-rushing attack in the Frontier that averages 199 yards per game on the ground. While the Oredigger defense allows 367.3 yards per game, their specialty has been forcing turnovers. Tech has totaled ten interceptions and six fumble recoveries and has three defensive touchdowns this season. 

Offensively, senior quarterback Blake Thelen has started all seven games, throwing for 208.9 yards per game with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Landers Smith has been one of the top running backs in the conference this year, as the six-foot 230-pound back averages 118.3 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns. Linebacker Matt Whitcomb is th leading tackler this season for the Orediggers with 67, and defensive back Jadyn Downs is the Frontier Conference leader in interceptions with four. 

Game Notes

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On the Road Again
The Battlin' Bears will look for their first victory away from Herb Klindt Field this season as they visit the Orediggers on Saturday.

Beat Tech
The Battlin' Bears have a 2-2 record against the Orediggers in their last four matchups. Rocky defeated the 16th-ranked Montana Tech on Herb Klindt Field 28-21 in their previous matchup and defeated the then 21st-ranked Orediggers in the last matchup in Butte in 2022, 28-20.
 
Good Week in the Office
Redshirt freshman Kyan Jesperson nearly doubled his season total in rushing yards in last week's defeat to Montana Western, compiling his first 100-yard rushing day of his career and the first by a Battlin' Bear this season. 

Shining Debuts
Quarterback JT Allen made his first collegiate start a week ago, throwing for 218 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Allen's 24 completions and 41 pass attempts were the most by a Battlin' Bear this season. Freshman Darius Haskin also made his collegiate debut as a receiver, totaling six catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns.