BUTTE – Montana Tech trailed Eastern Oregon 14-0 at halftime but came alive in the final two quarters of the game to take down Eastern Oregon 24-17 in its annual Copper Game on Saturday night.
Orediggers quarterback Tanner Kump made his first official start in front of his hometown crowd, and the Butte Central graduate threw for 146 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns were to Trevor Hoffman, who had six catches for 59 yards in the win. Kump struggled a bit with turnovers, tossing three interceptions.
Despite the offensive lag in the first half, linebacker Brock Beede was not concerned going into the second half.
“It was only 17 or 14 points [ahead] at the time so we have to have our offense’s back and cheer them up and keep them going,” Beede said. “After the Coyote game we knew they had it in them. All of us were going up to Tanner Kump and lettng everyone know we believe in you and have your back.”
The defense held Eastern Oregon to a single field goal in the second half, including three interceptions.
Montana Tech will take to the road next week for a matchup against Southern Oregon Sept. 15 at 2 p.m.
