BUTTE — The 17-hour bus ride back to Butte from Ashland, Oregon was a long one for the Montana Tech football team.
A close game against third-ranked Southern Oregon turned into a much larger deficit late in the third quarter, ultimately ending in 44-12 loss for the No. 24 Orediggers.
The loss dropped Montana Tech to 2-1 on the young season, with a contest against lowly MSU-Northern the next game on the docket. In the tough Frontier Conference, there isn't any time to sulk and the team is well aware of everything is still in front of them.
"We really beat ourselves in that game ... we can't let it sit in the back of our minds," junior linebacker Carter Myers said. "We have to come out this week, get a good win against Northern and move on from there."
The Orediggers had three turnovers against the Raiders and couldn't cash in on its offensive opportunities.
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Tech's vaunted running game was held to just 88 yards as they struggled to consistently move the ball. Stringing drives together was difficult for the team as well and the Orediggers' defense could only hold out for so long. The defense also struggled to take the ball away from the Raiders, an area they've been exceptional in so far this season.
SOU is certainly a talented team, but it seemed like a missed chance by Tech to have an early leg up on the rest of the conference.
With that said, on Tuesday's practice Tech seemed upbeat. There's still plenty in front of them and a whole bunch more football to be played. Southern also comes to Alumni Coliseum on Oct. 27, giving the Orediggers another shot at the Raiders.
"It was a tough loss and it sucks, but we're still in good position to do what we need do to have a good season," Myers said. "We just have to come back, fix the stuff that we messed up. If we just play our game we'll be fine, I think all of us on defense know this."
A question at QB
At the beginning of the season, Montana Tech head coach Chuck Morrell mentioned that in the Frontier Conference, you have to have depth to be successful.
The Orediggers just might be tested there this weekend.
Quarterback Tanner Kump was knocked out of the SOU game with injury and still seems questionable to play on Saturday. During Tuesday's practice Kump was wearing his jersey, but in shorts with no pads.
With MSU-Northern still trying to find it's way with new head coach Andrew Rolin, this seems like a game Tech should win. They're certainly not overlooking anyone, but if Kump needs an extra couple weeks to fully heal — the Orediggers have a bye after the game with the Lights — then this might be the opportunity to let him do so.
Kump did not have any visible cast or brace and it seems as if the injury isn't season-ending.
Regardless, Morrell reiterated his support of all his passers. Tech went through a long quarterback competition over the offseason and the three seriously in contention for the spot — Kump, Cole Hauptman and Danny Peoples — all had moments where they looked as if they could take over the starting job.
Now, Peoples or Hauptman might have the chance. Peoples came in relief for Kump against the Raiders, completing 4-of-10 passes for 38 yards while throwing an interception. Hauptman has been used sporadically this season as a wildcat quarterback, totaling 78 yards on 13 rushing attempts.
"The guys are confident and that's why everyone is out here, they want to play the game," Morrell said. "All of our guys go through the same preparation process every single week and I'm confident in them.
"We've spent a lot of time on our depth and guys are anxious. Guys are chomping at the bit to get out there and show the work, effort and energy they've put in."
Finding the hidden yardage
For many football coaches, so-called 'hidden yardage' is an important aspect of the game.
The term is in regards to field position and seemingly minor details such as punt returns, kick returns, kickoffs, touchbacks and coverage on special teams. Along with penalty yardage (which isn't quite as hidden) these play a major role in winning or losing football games.
Against the Raiders, Tech was soundly beaten in this category. The average starting position for the Orediggers was just behind its own 20-yard line.
Tech got zero punt-return yards while giving up 15 and averaged just 18.4 yards per kickoff return. Southern Oregon punter Jaxon Clark was also incredible during the game, punting six times for 310 yards and twice pinning Tech at its own one-yard line.
These type of plays flip field position and it was something the Orediggers struggled to fight their way out of for most of the afternoon.
"If you're going to give a really good football team a 30-yard head start on every possession, you're not going to be successful," Morrell said. "We're going to get focused up on that this week and it's a team effort."
Jordan Hansen covers prep and Frontier Conference sports for the Montana Standard. Shoot him an email at Jordan.Hansen@406mtsports.com or give him a shout on Twitter @jordyhansen.