A Legacy Forged in Copper: The History of Montana Tech Orediggers Football

The Montana Tech Orediggers football program, a cornerstone of the university's identity, boasts a rich and enduring history. Established in 1902 at the Montana State School of Mines (now Montana Technological University), it stands as one of the oldest continuously operating small-college football programs in the western United States. Over the decades, the program has weathered periods of interruption and celebrated eras of remarkable success, shaping a legacy deeply intertwined with the spirit of Butte, Montana.

Early Years and the McAuliffe Era

The early decades saw the Orediggers competing independently, scheduling games primarily against regional opponents in Montana and surrounding states. A pivotal figure in the program's foundational era was Charlie McAuliffe, who assumed head coaching duties in 1923 and led the team for 26 years until 1949, also overseeing basketball and track programs. Under McAuliffe's guidance, the Orediggers posted regional successes in the 1940s, including competitive showings against nearby opponents that bolstered the team's reputation.

However, the program faced significant interruptions, including a full suspension of athletics starting in 1941 during World War II, driven by wartime demands, student enlistments, and declining enrollment.

Transition to the NAIA and the Bob Green Dynasty

By the late 1960s, the program aligned with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 1970, reflecting its small-school status and commitment to accessible competition. This transition paved the way for the program's most successful period under head coach Bob Green.

During the era of head coach Bob Green, Montana Tech had its most successful period ever in football. In his 24-year tenure, the Orediggers accomplished a record of 140 wins, 116 losses, and 1 tie. During this period, the Orediggers either placed or tied for first or second in the Frontier Conference 16 times. Green's emphasis on disciplined play and player development led to five NAIA playoff appearances in 1992, 1996, 1997, 2004, and 2005. Green led the Diggers to the NAIA National Playoffs 5 times, including the 1996 National Championship Game. The Orediggers were the first ever Frontier Conference football team to play for the national title.

The pinnacle came in 1996, when the Orediggers, as Frontier Conference champions, advanced to the NAIA Division I national championship game-the program's first and only appearance at that level. That squad reached the semifinals with a 12-1 record, showcasing Green's ability to build competitive rosters capable of national contention. They fell 33-31 to Southwestern Oklahoma State in the Champion Bowl. Green's coaching philosophy prioritized fundamentals and team unity, fostering stability after years of sporadic results in the program's early decades.

Following Green's retirement, Chuck Morrell, who had previously been the defensive coordinator at South Dakota, was hired as the Orediggers' new head coach. Under Chuck Morrell's tenure from 2011 to 2019, Montana Tech revitalized its conference standing, securing a co-championship in 2012 with Southern Oregon after an 8-3 regular season, the program's first title since 2004 and qualifying for the NAIA playoffs.

The Kyle Samson Era: A Resurgence

In 2020, Samson's first season, Montana Tech did not play a football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under head coach Kyle Samson, who assumed the role in January 2020 after serving as offensive coordinator, the program has revitalized with back-to-back playoff berths in 2023 and 2024, culminating in the 2025 season's undefeated 11-0 regular-season record-the first perfect mark since 1904-and securing the outright Frontier Conference championship for an automatic NAIA playoff bid.

Key milestones during Samson's era include back-to-back at-large selections to the NAIA Football Championship Series in 2023 (7-4 record) and 2024 (9-3 record), signaling a return to postseason contention. The 2025 season elevated the program further, as the Orediggers completed an undefeated 11-0 regular season and secured the Frontier Conference East Division championship for an automatic playoff berth-their first division title under Samson. This success echoes the 2012 NAIA playoff run under Morrell but establishes a new era of consistency.

The 2025 campaign featured standout highlights, beginning with a 4-0 start-the program's best since 2017-and several record-breaking performances in scoring and total offense. Notable victories came against ranked foes, such as a 38-27 season-opening win over No. 5 Montana Western and a 30-19 road triumph against No. 25 Carroll College, contributing to Montana Tech's climb to as high as No. 4 in the NAIA Coaches' Poll. These results continue the resurgence with a third consecutive NAIA playoff appearance.

Home Field Advantage: Bob Green Field at Alumni Coliseum

The home venue for the Montana Tech Orediggers football team is Bob Green Field at Alumni Coliseum, located on the campus in Butte, Montana. Key renovations have modernized the facility over the years. The stadium underwent significant updates in 2007, followed by the installation of a JumboTron video board in 2008 to enhance spectator experience. In 2010, more than 1,000 reserved seats were added along with a new Newmont Scoreboard featuring DiggerVision replay capabilities. The press box and club section received upgrades in 2011 for improved hospitality and broadcasting.

A pivotal change came in 2013 with the replacement of the grass surface by an artificial turf field, funded through alumni and corporate donations; this installation was dedicated as Bob Green Field in tribute to the longtime head coach's legacy of building the program. Alumni Coliseum is celebrated for its intimidating atmosphere, often described as a "tough place to visit" within the Frontier Conference due to Butte's high elevation of approximately 5,500 feet, which can challenge visiting teams' endurance, combined with fervent fan support from the Hooligans student section and local community.

Supporting the football program, Montana Tech maintains additional campus facilities including multi-use practice fields with artificial turf integrated into Alumni Coliseum for team drills, intramurals, and community events, as well as the nearby HPER Complex.

Traditions and Rivalries

The team's mascot is the Orediggers, personified by Charlie the Oredigger, a costumed character that embodies the tenacity and labor of Butte's miners. Charlie, who serves as the program's energetic hype man, rallies crowds at games, leads cheers, and acts as an ambassador for Montana Tech athletics, fostering a sense of community pride tied to the area's mining past.

Key traditions include pre-game "Dig Deep" rallies, high-energy gatherings that unite students, alumni, and fans to build momentum and celebrate Oredigger spirit ahead of matches. Post-win festivities often feature mining-inspired elements, reinforcing the program's thematic connection to Butte's industrial history. A prominent annual tradition is the Copper Game, the season-opening home contest sponsored by Rocky Mountain Credit Union, where the Orediggers don special copper uniforms to commemorate the school's colors; established in 2016, the opponent has varied, including Carroll College initially and Montana Western in 2025.

The rivalry between the Montana Tech Orediggers and the Montana Western Bulldogs dates back to September 29, 1990, with the teams competing regularly in the Frontier Conference. The all-time series stands at 32 wins for Montana Tech and 29 for Montana Western as of the 2025 season, making it a closely contested in-state battle. Prior to Tech's 2025 victory, Western held a slight edge in recent encounters, winning three of the previous four games from 2021 to 2024. As an inter-division clash in the Frontier Conference-with Tech in the East Division and Western in the West Division following the 2025 realignment-the Copper Game carries significant stakes beyond the scoreboard.

Notable games include Western's dominant 45-21 road win over Tech on September 25, 2021, in Butte, which contributed to the Bulldogs' strong Frontier campaign that year. Tech responded with a 33-24 home victory on September 24, 2022, showcasing offensive balance en route to a 7-3 overall record and East Division contention. The 2025 Copper Game renewal saw No. 11 Tech upset No. Montana Tech has experienced a resurgence in the rivalry, securing four consecutive victories since November 2023, including a 23-17 win on November 11, 2023, in Helena, a 30-22 non-conference win on September 7, 2024, in Helena, a 42-14 conference triumph on November 16, 2024, in Butte, and a 30-19 road victory over No.

Conference Championships

The Montana Tech Orediggers football program has a storied history of success within the Frontier Conference and its predecessor leagues, securing 14 conference championships since the league's inception in 1934. These titles span from co-championships in the early years under the Montana Collegiate Conference name to outright victories in the modern NAIA era, often serving as a gateway to national playoff berths.

In the conference's formative years, Montana Tech (then known as Montana School of Mines) emerged as a powerhouse, claiming shared and outright titles that highlighted the program's early dominance in Montana collegiate athletics. The Orediggers shared the 1936 championship with Montana State Normal College (now Montana Western) and won outright in 1939, establishing a foundation for future success amid the league's evolution from the Montana Small College Conference to the Frontier Conference in 1936.

The late 20th and early 21st centuries brought further accolades under coaches like Bob Green, with outright championships in 1983, 1992, 1996, and 1997, the latter two capping strong seasons that advanced the team to NAIA playoffs.

In the Kyle Samson era beginning in 2020, the program has continued its championship tradition amid the conference's recent adoption of East and West divisions in 2025. The Orediggers clinched the outright Frontier Conference championship in 2025 with a perfect 11-0 overall record and 6-0 conference mark, highlighted by a 48-0 win over Valley City State on November 15, 2025, securing an automatic NAIA playoff berth-their first conference championship since 2016.

Year	Type	Opponents/Notes	Record	Coach
1936	Co-champion	Montana State Normal College	N/A	N/A
1939	Outright	N/A	N/A	N/A
1970	Outright	N/A	N/A	N/A
1972	Co-champion	Carroll College	N/A	N/A
1979	Outright	N/A	N/A	N/A
1983	Outright	N/A	N/A	N/A
1992	Outright	N/A	N/A	Bob Green
1996	Outright	N/A	N/A	Bob Green
1997	Outright	N/A	N/A	Bob Green
2004	Co-champion	Carroll College, Montana Western	9-2	Bob Green
2012	Co-champion	Southern Oregon	8-3	Chuck Morrell
2015	Outright	N/A	9-2	Chuck Morrell
2016	Outright	Clinched vs. College of Idaho (42-21), Southern Oregon (38-27)	10-2	Chuck Morrell
2025	Outright	Clinched vs. Valley City State (48-0)	11-0	Kyle Samson

NAIA Playoff Appearances

The Montana Tech Orediggers football program has qualified for the NAIA playoffs on 12 occasions, spanning from 1971 to 2025. These appearances reflect the team's competitive standing within the Frontier Conference and its ability to secure postseason berths through strong regular-season performances and conference success. The program's playoff history highlights periods of sustained excellence, particularly under head coaches Bob Green and Chuck Morrell, with recent berths in 2023, 2024, and 2025 marking a resurgence under current coach Kyle Samson.

The deepest run in program history came in 1996 during the Bob Green era, when the Orediggers advanced to the NAIA national championship game after a series of impressive victories, including playoff wins over Carroll College and No. 8-ranked Northwestern Oklahoma State. Tech finished as national runners-up that year, falling 33-31 to Southwestern Oklahoma State in the title game.

The program's inaugural appearance was in 1971, with subsequent early berths in 1992 and 1997 under Green building momentum through first- and second-round exits. Under Chuck Morrell, the 2012 playoffs represented a significant achievement following a Frontier Conference co-championship, though the Orediggers exited in the first round against Morningside. The 2015 and 2016 berths included first-round home wins over Dickinson State before second-round losses, showcasing postseason home dominance.

The NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) format has evolved over the decades, expanding from a 16-team field in the 1990s to the current 20-team tournament by 2025, which includes automatic qualifiers from conferences like the Frontier and at-large bids based on national rankings. In 2025, Montana Tech earned an automatic berth via its undefeated outright Frontier Conference championship, clinching the spot with an 11-0 regular-season record on November 15. Ranked No. 4 nationally entering the postseason as of November 16, 2025, the Orediggers are positioned to host their first-round game on Bob Green Field, continuing the Samson era's upward trajectory with the program's 12th playoff appearance.

Year	Head Coach	Playoff Result	Notes
1971	N/A	First Round (L 6-34 vs. Cal Lutheran)	Program's inaugural NAIA playoff berth.
1992	Bob Green	First Round (L 0-37 vs. Pacific Lutheran)	Early Green-era appearance.
1996	Bob Green	National Runners-Up (L 33-31 vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State)	Advanced to championship; defeated Carroll (49-28), No. 8 Northwestern Oklahoma State.
1997	Bob Green	Second Round (L 24-50 vs. Willamette)	Defeated Minnesota-Crookston (51-10).
2004	Bob Green	First Round (L 13-30 vs. Dickinson State)	Home game.
2005	Bob Green	Second Round (L 0-24 vs. Carroll)	Defeated Azusa Pacific (24-17).
2012	Chuck Morrell	First Round (L 35-40 vs. Morningside)	Conference co-champions.
2015	Chuck Morrell	Second Round (L 20-42 vs. Saint Francis (Ind.))	Defeated Dickinson State (44-10).
2016	Chuck Morrell	Second Round (L 0-27 vs. Reinhardt)	Defeated Dickinson State (28-21).
2023	Kyle Samson	First Round (L 28-35 vs. Dickinson State)	Home game.
2024	Kyle Samson	Second Round (L to Northwestern Iowa)	Seventh seed; first-round win.
2025	Kyle Samson	Ongoing (Automatic Berth)	No. 4 nationally entering the postseason.

All-Time Records

The Montana Tech Orediggers football program boasts a number of impressive all-time records, showcasing the outstanding achievements of its players over the years. These records span various statistical categories, highlighting the program's rich history and the exceptional talent that has graced its ranks.

All-Purpose Yards

All-Time Longest Scrimmage Run: 89 yards by Buddy Walsh in 1973
Game: 394 yards by Nick Baker in 2012
Season: 1,807 yards by Jay LeProwse in 2001
Career: 6,215 yards by Jay LeProwse from 1998-2001

Rushing Yards

Game: 300 yards by Josh Johnson in 2003
Season: 1,797 yards by Don Heater in 1971
Career: 4,486 yards by Pat Hansen from 2011-14
Game Attempts: 41 by Don Heater in 1971
Career Attempts: 934 by Pat Hansen from 2011-14

Passing Yards

Game: 455 yards by Mark Jensen in 1996
Season: 3,778 yards by Mark Jensen in 1997
Career: 9,017 yards by Matt Komac from 2007-2010
Game Attempts: 69 by Herman Tapley in 2013
Season Attempts: 405 by Nick Baker in 2012
Career Attempts: 912 by Eric Jacobsen from 1989-1992
Game Completions: 38 by Nick Baker in 2012
Season Completions: 158 by Don Heater in 1971
Career Completions: 330 by Don Heater from 1968-1971
Pass Completion Percentage (15+ Attempts) Game: 91.6% by Matt Komac in 2010
Pass Completion Percentage (15+ Attempts) Season: 66.9% by Mark Jensen in 1997
Pass Completion Percentage (15+ Attempts) Career: 58.40% by Matt Komac from 2007-2010
Passing Touchdowns Game: 5 by Eric Jacobsen in 1991
Passing Touchdowns Season: 25 by Don Heater in 1971 and 5 by Kane Claunch in 1999
Passing Touchdowns Career: 54 by Don Heater from 1968-1971
Consecutive Passes Without an Interception Attempts: 151 by Eric Jacobsen in 1990

Receiving Yards

Game: 200 yards by Lorenzo Snyder in 1997
Season: 1,239 yards by Lorenzo Snyder in 1997
Career: 2,431 yards by Davis Almanza from 1994-1997
Pass Receptions Game: 13 by Bob Riehl in 1974
Pass Receptions Season: 75 by Zach Kinney in 2013
Pass Receptions Career: 168 by Davis Almanza from 1994-1997
Receiving Touchdowns Game: 3 by Bob Riehl in 1974
Receiving Touchdowns Season: 10 by Blaine Hardy in 1997
Receiving Touchdowns Career: 22 by Blaine Hardy from 1995-1998

Total Offense

Game: 455 yards by Mark Jensen in 1996
Season: 3,778 yards by Mark Jensen in 1997
Career: 9,017 yards by Matt Komac from 2007-2010
Season Rushing and Passing Attempts: 492 by Mark Jensen in 1996
Career Rushing and Passing Attempts: 1,192 by Matt Komac from 2007-2010

Scoring

Game: 30 points by Pat Hansen in 2011
Season: 25 touchdowns by Don Heater in 1971
Career: 54 touchdowns by Don Heater from 1968-1971

Kicking and Returns

Kickoff Return: 95 yards by Len Altenburg in 1974
Punt Return: 82 yards by Davis Almanza in 1994
Field Goal: 55 yards by Dan Kleckner in 2005
Punt: 92 yards by Travis Farewell in 2011
Career PAT's: 128 by Chris Casne from 1999-2002
Career FG's: 38 by Dan Kleckner from 2003-2006
Career PAT%: 94% by Corey Koepplin from 1987-1990
Career FG%: 83% by Dustin Sersland from 1995-1998
Consecutive PAT's: 34 by Dustin Sersland in 1996
Season Punts: 83 by Ryan Dunn in 2002
Career Punts: 247 by Ryan Dunn from 2001-2004
Season Average: 44.1 yards by J.D. Sollars in 1976
Career Average: 39.2 yards by Ryan Dunn from 2001-2004
Career Average: 46.0 yards by J.J. Perino from 2003-2007

Defense

Sacks Game: 6.5 by Travis Hettick in 1999
Sacks Season: 17.5 by Travis Hettick in 1999
Sacks Career: 20 by Davis Almanza from 1994-1997 and 17.5 by J.J. Perino in 2006
Tackles for Loss Game: 5.5 by J.J. Perino in 2007
Tackles for Loss Season: 24.0 by J.J. Perino in 2007

These records stand as a testament to the dedication, skill, and hard work of the student-athletes who have proudly represented the Montana Tech Orediggers football program.

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