BUTTE — Levi Torgerson set the tone on the first play.

The Montana Tech senior returner scored a 100-yard kickoff return against Montana Western in Thursday's season-opening Copper Game at Bob Green Field, then notched a punt return touchdown later in the first quarter and also had a passing touchdown in the second quarter to help lift his team to a 24-point halftime lead.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS: Huge first half lifts No. 11 Montana Tech to win over No. 5 Montana Western

The No. 11-ranked Orediggers then fended off the No. 5 Bulldogs in the second half for a 38-27 victory and Tech's first win in this series since 2022. Western had won the past three meetings.

After Torgerson's kickoff touchdown, Tech running back Wykece Johnson — a Mississippi State transfer — rushed for a 74-yard touc

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