BUTTE — Montana Tech has quickly created a first-year program that will compete in the Frontier Conference next season.

The No. 15 Orediggers put up 45 points in the first quarter of their non-conference matchup against Simpson University (Calif.) and then dismantled the overmatched Red Hawks 97-0 on Saturday afternoon at Bob Green Field.

Those 97 points broke a program scoring record set in 2017 when Tech blew past MSU-Northern 93-19 on Oct. 21.

Tech (5-2 overall, 2-2 in Frontier Conference play) got back into the win column a week after falling 27-21 to Montana Western in Dillon.

Levi Torgerson returned the opening kickoff for an 89-yard touchdown two weeks after doing the same against Southern Oregon. Then in the first half, quarterback Blake Thelen threw five touchdown passes for 174 yards and Landers Smith rushed for 59 yards and a pair of scores before Tech’s first-team offense settled down in the second half.

Wyatt Alexander caught two touchdown passes and Torgerson, Charlie Kirgan and Logan Kennedy also had scoring receptions. Christian Vetter, Ikaika Ho and Michael DeLeon scored on the field for Tech. Backup quarterback Cole Wyant threw a 14-yard scoring pass to Kirgan in the third quarter.

Tech’s offense generated 626 yards to Simpson’s 30. The Orediggers forced the Red Hawks to punt 10 times and limited Simpson to 9 rushing yards.

The Orediggers’ homestand continues next week when Tech hosts Rocky Mountain College.