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Rocky Mountain College Athletics

Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears

Events and Results

Events and Results

Smith at MT Tech '25
Brandon Stinson
23
Rocky Mountain (MT) RMC 0-1 , 0
34
Winner Montana Tech (MT) MT 2-0 , 0
Rocky Mountain (MT) RMC
0-1 , 0
23
Final
34
Montana Tech (MT) MT
2-0 , 0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
RMC Rocky Mountain (MT) 0 9 14 0 23
MT Montana Tech (MT) 6 21 7 0 34

Game Recap: Football |

Rocky Football Drops Physical Matchup With No. 11-Ranked Montana Tech 34-23

BUTTE, Mont.- Rocky's offense totaled over 400 total yards on the afternoon, but turnovers hindered a comeback attempt as they fell to No. 11-ranked Montana Tech on Saturday afternoon. 

The Battlin' Bears totaled 300+ yards in the air for the second straight game to start the season. After an early 20-0 deficit for the Battlin' Bears, Rocky stormed back to cut the Montana Tech lead to four points early in the third quarter, but was held in check in the fourth quarter. 

How it Happened
Montana Tech was the first to strike on their opening drive, as a 13-play, 73-yard drive ended in a short field goal. Rocky's first play on offense did not go as scripted, as a handoff was bobbled and Montana Tech jumped on the football, turning it into another field goal for the Orediggers to give Montana Tech a 6-0 lead. 

Both teams were quiet for the remainder of the quarter, but Montana Tech found paydirt early in the second quarter with a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend their lead to 13-0. Two plays later, Rocky was picked off by Montana Tech, as Justin Webber returned the interception for a touchdown, trailing 20-0 with 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter. 

Rocky's offense found momentum before halftime, as Trent Nobach converted a fourth and eight inside of Tech's territory with a 17-yard completion to Eric Lira. The following play saw Nobach find Darius Haskin in the back corner of the endzone to put Rocky on the board 20-6 following a blocked PAT. 

The Orediggers responded on their following possession with a ten-play, 85-yard drive resulting in a two-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 27-6. 

Austin Drake recorded the longest field goal of his career, drilling a kick from 44 yards out as time expired in the first half, bringing the score to 27-9 at halftime. 

Rocky's offense came ready to go in the second half, as Nobach handed the ball off to running back Brock Ping on the second play from scrimmage, who took the ball 62 yards for a Battlin' Bear touchdown. Following the two-point conversion, Rocky trailed 27-17 with 14:45 remaining in the third quarter. 

After forcing a three-and-out on the following Oredigger possession, Rocky got right back on the board offensively. Trent Nobach withstood an incoming Oredigger defender in the pocket, took a hit, and fired a strike to Darius Haskin, who tip-toed the sideline for 60 yards and a Battlin' Bear touchdown, cutting a deficit that was once 20 points down to three. 

From then on, Montana Tech was able to secure their eventual victory with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown rush. Defensively, Montana Tech intercepted the Battlin' Bears twice in the final quarter and a half, as Rocky dropped their first of two matchups this season against Montana Tech, 34-23.  

Notable Statistics
Trent Nobach finished the afternoon passing ten-of-18 for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Luke Holcomb came in relief for Nobach, throwing 11-of-19 for 138 yards. 

Billings product Brock Ping totaled 107 yards on the ground on 13 attempts. A pair of Rocky receivers finished with over 100 yards receiving on the afternoon, as Darius Haskin totaled 124 yards on six catches and two touchdowns, while Eric Lira caught nine passes for 123 yards. 

Sean Tutty stood out on defense, totaling 11 tackles, one sack, and an interception. 

The Battlin' Bears outgained Montana Tech 407-to-366 in total yards. Turnover differential became the most significant factor in the outcome, as the Battlin' Bears turned the ball over four times compared to the Orediggers' one. 

Montana Tech had the advantage in the rushing game, totaling 272 yards on the ground on the afternoon. Rocky's pass defense was strong in defeat, holding the Orediggers to under 100 yards through the air. 

Up Next
Rocky Football (0-2) continues their non-divisional schedule next Saturday, September 20th, with a home matchup against No. 5-ranked Montana Western. 
 
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