Box Score POSTGAME QUOTES
LA GRANDE, Ore. -- The No. 23 Eastern Oregon University football team used a key block at the end of regulation to defeat Montana Tech, 22-15.
Homecoming weekend for Eastern Oregon ends in a joyous cheer as the Mountaineers block two field goal attempts in the final seconds to win a close one, 22-15. The Mountaineers were led on the ground by, Senior
Kevin Sampson who rushed for a game-high 101 yards and one touchdown. Senior
Chris Ware threw the ball 26 times for 15 completions and 199 yards and no interceptions. The Mountaineers gained a total of 388 yards.
The first quarter started off with the Mountaineers opening up the game with the ball, and in two plays drove 69 yards for the first score of the game, putting Eastern Oregon up 7-0. Montana stalled on their next drive and the Mountaineers capitalized with a 25-yard field goal from Ortiz. Scoring was non-existent until halfway through the second quarter when Montana Tech kicked a 23-yard field goal. The second quarter featured some dysfunctional football with both teams combining for 7 penalties for over 59 yards.
Montana Tech started the third quarter off with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Schwarzkoph to Halko, putting the Orediggers behind 10-9, after a missed PAT. The fourth quarter featured a 16-play drive by Montana Tech which resulted in a punt. The punt was fumbled by
Kedrick Starr and recovered by Montana tech, who put six points on the board in the next two plays. After a missed 2-point conversion the Orediggers led 15-10. On Eastern Oregon's next drive
Kevin Sampson rushed for a 31-yard touchdown putting the Mountaineers 16-15 after a failed 2-point conversion. With two chances to win the game with field goals at the end, Montana Tech had both attempts blocked and the latter returned for a touchdown as time expired, giving the Mountaineers a 22-15 win on Homecoming weekend.
Montana Tech was led by quarterback Brian Schwarzkoph who was 9-25 through the air for 89 yards and one touchdown. On the ground the Orediggers were led by Pat Hansen who rushed for 72 yards on 29 carries and one touchdown. Montana Tech totaled 202 yards.
Montana Tech falls to 1-6 overall and 0-6 in Frontier Conference play. Eastern Oregon improves to 5-2 overall and 5-1 in conference. The Mountaineers will face No. 3 Carroll College, in a top-25 showdown, next Saturday, Oct. 22 at 1p.m. at Community Stadium.
