BUTTE, Mont. — Dickinson State entered Saturday's regular-season finale having won four of its previous five games, but No. 5 Montana Tech used a 31-point second quarter to pull away for a 59-16 victory in Frontier Conference East Division play at Bob Green Field at Alumni Coliseum.
The Blue Hawks came into the matchup with a 4-1 divisional record and an opportunity to challenge the Frontier East leader. Montana Tech, however, used several explosive plays to build a 45-3 halftime advantage and finished with 621 yards of total offense. Dickinson State found success through the air in the second half, scoring twice in the third quarter, but could not overcome the early deficit.
"We ran into a very good Montana Tech team today," head coach Pete Stanton said. "They outplayed us in all phases. We knew we had to tackle well and get some first downs and did neither."
Montana Tech opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Jamal Cariglia finished a possession with a 1-yard touchdown run. Dickinson State answered with a 29-yard field goal from Nik Halvorson, cutting the deficit to 7-3 with 4:38 remaining in the period.
The Orediggers responded just 31 seconds later when Jarrett Wilson connected with Manu Melo for a 75-yard touchdown. That play began a stretch of 45 consecutive Montana Tech points that carried into the second half.
Merek Mihelish broke free for a 53-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter before Wilson added three more touchdown passes. He found Nick Michelotti from 20 yards, Levi Torgerson from 4 yards and Melo from 13 yards as Montana Tech continued to extend its lead. Casey Kautzman added a 31-yard field goal before halftime to send the Orediggers into the break ahead 45-3.
Montana Tech continued its scoring run early in the third quarter when Mihelish connected with Jaxan Lieberg for a 64-yard touchdown, but Dickinson State responded with its most productive offensive stretch of the afternoon.
Hudsen Grovom led the Blue Hawks on a nine-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Markiel Cockrell. The score gave Dickinson State its first touchdown of the game and cut the deficit to 52-9 with 7:46 remaining in the third quarter.
After Montana Tech answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Mihelish to Colby Martinez, the Blue Hawks struck again through the passing game. Grovom connected with Kohbe Smith for a 53-yard touchdown, Dickinson State's longest play from scrimmage, and Halvorson's extra point brought the score to 59-16. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
Grovom completed 13 of 25 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, with both scoring passes coming in the third quarter. Cockrell was his leading target, finishing with four receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown, while Smith added three catches for 73 yards and a score.
The Blue Hawks also found some success on the ground through Caleb Rist, who broke a 37-yard run and finished with a team-high 46 rushing yards on three carries. Jackson Simonson contributed 24 yards on seven attempts as Dickinson State totaled 303 yards of offense.
Defensively, Dickinson State was led by Deegan Tvedt, who recorded nine tackles and a tackle for loss. Ryan Racht and Dylan Dahlgren each added eight tackles, with Dahlgren recording two tackles for loss. Brody Jenness and Tre Gary finished with six tackles apiece, while Jenness also contributed two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. Noah Jepson recovered Montana Tech's lone lost fumble.
The Orediggers finished with 370 passing yards and 251 rushing yards, averaging 9.3 yards per play. Wilson threw for 252 yards and four touchdowns, while Mihelish contributed 101 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown and two passing scores.
Following Saturday's game, Stanton reflected on the players who helped Dickinson State navigate the season and recognized the contributions of the team's senior class.
"We have a great group of men on our team who are always a pleasure to coach," Stanton said. "Hats off to our outstanding seniors as well."
Dickinson State concluded its 2026 season with a 5-6 overall record and a 4-2 mark in Frontier East play. Montana Tech improved to 9-1 overall and 5-0 in the division, securing the Frontier East championship and its automatic berth in the NAIA Football Championship Series.
