LA GRANDE, Ore. – In what was a rainy, cold day at Community Stadium last November, the Eastern Oregon University football team battled through an early 14-point deficit to take down a struggling Montana Tech team.

It was the second win for the Mountaineers over the Orediggers in the 2014 campaign, and Navy and Gold won both contests by an average of 18.5 points.

On Saturday, the challenge will be much greater, as EOU will play a much-improved Montana Tech team that is 2-0 and ranked in the top 25 for just the second time under head coach Chuck Morrell.

Week Four – (RV) Eastern Oregon vs. No. 15 Montana Tech

The Opponent

In its last outing on Sept. 12, Montana Tech (2-0, 2-0 Frontier Conference) allowed just 198 total yards and forced four turnovers in a thrilling 19-10 upset over No. 4 Carroll College in Butte, Mont.

Quarterback Quinn McQueary completed 14 of 20 passes for 181 yards, while rushing for 75 yards. Meanwhile, wide receiver Alec Bray caught five passes for 62 yards to lead the Diggers.

Both Nolan Sarraceni and Zach Winfield combined for 133 yards on 23 carries, while Tyler Gavlak paced Montana Tech's defensive effort with 12 tackles and a sack.

Trailing 10-6 in the third quarter, Saraceni rushed 37 yards for the touchdown to put the Diggers on top with 5:08 on the clock. Then, in the fourth quarter, Matt Berg connected on a pair of field goals to keep Montana Tech on top.

Series History

EOU is 12-13 all-time against Montana Tech, and the Mountaineers have won seven of the last nine affairs.

Making History

With 174 receiving yards this season, senior wide receiver Jace Billingsley is now the all-time leader in EOU football history with 2,264 total receiving yards. In last Saturday's loss to Southern Oregon, Billingsley caught seven passes for 107 yards, while also logging a season-high 131 yards on 19 carries. 

On Sept. 5 against Sacramento State, Billingsley returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, which topped a 35-year-old record set in 1980 by Phil Hernandez.

EOU's Last Time Out

The Mountaineers (0-3, 0-2 Frontier Conference) are looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 38-35 loss to No. 4 Southern Oregon last weekend in Ashland, Ore.

Despite leading the Raiders by 21 in the third quarter, Southern Oregon stormed from behind with a trio of touchdowns and the game-winning field goal with four ticks on the clock.

Junior quarterback Zach Bartlow completed 17 passes for a season-high 218 yards, including two touchdowns. Meanwhile, sophomore wide receiver Calvin Connors caught a career-high six passes for 59 yards.

EOU's defensive effort was paced by senior defensive back Adam Bese, junior linebacker Jared Jensen, and senior linebacker Gary Posten, as they tallied nine tackles apiece.

Game Time

Kickoff on Saturday at Community Stadium is set for 1 p.m.

Live Video

While live stats are free on the Mountaineer website, fans can pay to watch the game on www.eousports.com.

Live Audio

Fans can tune into NewsTalk 103 or listen online at www.myeasternoregon.com to listen to Saturday's contest. Ken Kennedy (play-by-play) and Rich Kennedy (color) will be the commentators for the Mountaineers this season.

Follow EOU Athletics

Fans can follow Mountaineer athletics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EOUsports, on Instagram via "EOUsports," or follow the teams on Twitter via @EOUsports.