BUTTE – With 10 of 11 offensive starters returning from last season, there will be plenty of familiar faces when the Montana Tech football team takes the field in a few weeks.
The Oredigers must fill the void left by all-conference lineman Hunter Sports, but must retain the core of last season’s offense, which helped Tech to a 5-5 record in Kyle Samson’s first full season as head coach.
There is plenty of experience on the roster and Samson hopes to translate that into depth at every position in Tech’s season opener on the road against Eastern Oregon.
“You know we have a lot of starters, but building depth is the biggest thing in this game against Eastern Oregon, who’s going to be our No. 2 that’s going to drive the bus,” Samson said. “There are a couple of spots that I think will have some competition. We’re just looking at those spots to see who can provide some depth.”
Quarterback Jett Campbell returned from a right hand injury last year to throw for 2,052 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He said he was back to 100% except for one small thing.
“I feel like nothing has changed except that I brush my teeth with my left hand, that’s all,” Campbell said. “Good feeling, ready to roll.”
Also on Tech’s offense is running back Blake Counts, who led Tech with 755 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Trevor Hoffman is also returning — he paced Orediger’s wideouts with 631 yards and six touchdowns.
Tech is ranked fifth in preseason polls and Samson said this team is eager to prove the doubters wrong.
“We want to go out and make sure we’re not the fifth team in this conference,” Samson said. “We have a little bit of work to do, but we’re excited to go out and prove people wrong.”
After the road game against EOU, Tech returns home for a two-game homestand against Carroll College (Sept. 3) and Rocky Mountain College (Sept. 17).
