Butte, Montana-  It took six quarters, 97 total points, and a minor comeback to decide the Southern Oregon University and Montana Tech game today.

For Criag Howard probably wasn’t the result he wanted in his first outing as head coach as the Raiders lost a close one 50-47 in double-overtime to the Olediggers.

The Raiders had a 24-20 lead heading into halftime that saw a Tyler Crowley field goal and two Mike McDonald passing touchdowns.

Heading into the second half, the Raiders had came out slow, falling back by as much as 10 points heading into the final minutes of the 2nd half.

At the start of the fourth quarter, with McDonald back from an injury, the Raiders drove down the field and cut the score to 34-27 on a field goal from Crowley.

The Diggers had a monster gain on the pressuring kickoff.

After converting on fourth and long and the Raider defense holding their ground, the Diggers had to settle for a 32-yard field goal to get their lead by 10 with 5:39 left in the game.

The Raiders answered back with a great return of they’re own.  A personal foul penalty had place the Raiders just right in Montana Tech territory at the 35.

Three play’s later saw McDonald connecting for his third touchdown of the game to bring the Raiders to within three, 37-34.

After making back to back big plays that featured a 13-yard sack and a three-yard loss that brought up 3rd and 24.

On the third down the proceeded, the Raiders had tiped and intercepted a Brian Schwarzkoph pass to put them on the Digger 24-yard line and in prime field position. with 1:47 left in the game.

On a 3rd and seven play, McDonald was flushed out of the pocket and manage to pick up the first down to the Digger 16-yard line.

Three plays later it was the same story.  3rd and seven McDonald was flushed out looking for the end zone and throws this time.  The reciever couldn’t bring down the rock forcing a fourth down.

With eight seconds left, Crowley entered the game to kick his third field goal of the game from 30-yards out to tie the game at 37.

Heading into the first overtime both teams converted their possessions into touchdowns to enforce double-overtime with the score tied at 44.

The second overtime saw a defensive hold by Montana Tech that brought Crowley out for his fourth field goal conversation of the game to give SOU the advantage, 47-44.

After both teams switched their offense/defense squads out and in, both teams lined up.

But it only took the Diggers one play to clinch the equalizer on a Pat Hansen run to end the game.  It was Hansen’s fifth game of the season.

As SOU drops to 0-1 on the season, they travel from Ashland, Oregon to Portland next week to face the Portland State Vikings.

SOU played Portland State two years ago and forced four turnovers on the Division 1AA squad en route to a 34-10 loss that day.