Box Score

BUTTE, Mont. – The Eastern Oregon University Football team rebounded from its first loss of the season last week to defeat Montana Tech, 39-13, on Saturday afternoon. EOU rushed for a season-high 259 yards.
 
Zach Bartlow led the Mountaineers, as he was 17-of-31 for 219 yards and three touchdowns. TJ Esekielu rushed for a game-high 79 yards and AJ Prom followed with 72 rushing yards. Jace Billingsley recorded 104 receiving yards on four receptions.
 
The Orediggers started off fast against EOU, as Montana Tech took the opening kickoff for a 62 yard return to put them in good field position. On a third and three, Andrew Loudenback found Mitchell Keeton for a touchdown to put Montana Tech on top, 7-0.
 
Eastern Oregon looked to respond on its first drive of the game. EOU slowly moved the ball down the field and were on EOU's 45 with a third and nine, however, the drive stalled and EOU had to punt. Marc David's punt pinned the Orediggers at the seven yard line to take over. Montana Tech could not get anything going and EOU forced the Orediggers into a safety, trimming the lead down to five points, 7-2.
 
The Mountaineers trailed, 7-2, after the first quarter of play.
 
Eastern Oregon took the lead early in the second quarter. After a Montana Tech punt, EOU went down the field in six plays to score their first touchdown of the game. On a third and six from the Orediggers 11 yard line, Bartlow found Calvin Conners for an 11 yard touchdown to put EOU on top, 9-7.
 
EOU extended its lead to 12-7 later on in the second quarter, after a David 23 yard field goal. On the drive, the Mountaineers had a fourth and nine they converted to keep the drive alive. Eastern Oregon took the, 12-7, lead into halftime.
 
After a three and out by EOU, the Orediggers took over. Montana Tech's drive did not last long as Gary Posten recorded an interception to give EOU the ball. Eastern Oregon took advantage after the turnover. The Mountaineers marched down the field and Prom scored from two yards out to extend EOU's lead to 18-7.
 
The Mountaineers forced Montana Tech into a three and out and took over at Orediggers 43 yard line. EOU slowly moved the ball down to Montana Tech's 15 yard line. On a first and ten, Bartlow recorded his second touchdown pass of the game as he found Andrew Woody for a 15 yard score. This put EOU ahead, 25-7.
 
The Orediggers answered back in the third quarter as Clay Cavender scored on a quarterback keeper to trim EOU's lead to 25-13, ending the third quarter.
 
The Mountaineers extend its lead to 32-13, after Prom scored his second touchdown of the game. On a second and three, Prom took the handoff and scampered 21 yards to the end zone.
 
Eastern Oregon's offense kept rolling in the fourth quarter. Bartlow connected with Billingsley for a 70 yard touchdown, to put EOU on top, 39-13. This was Bartlow's third touchdown pass of the game.
 
EOU claimed the victory by a score of 39-13.
 
Eastern Oregon returns to action next Saturday, Sept. 27, when they travel to Billings, Mont. to face Rocky Mountain College. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. PT.