Lights climb to No. 18 in NAIA Poll

The Montana State University-Northern football team finally had a week to rest. And though the Lights had their first of two bye weeks last weekend, Northern still made a move in the NAIA Coaches Poll.

The Lights rose from No.24 to No. 18 in this week’s NAIA Poll, released Monday afternoon. Northern had a tough road trip to Ashland, Ore., coming up as the Lights take on red-hot Southern Oregon Saturday. MSU-N is currently 4-2 in the Frontier Conference and are alone in second place.

The only Frontier teams to play last weekend were Dickinson State and Carroll College. The Saints thrashed the Blue Hawks, but Carroll stayed at No. 7 in this week’s poll. Rocky Mountain College, which also had a bye, rose one spot to No. 12 this week. UM-Western and Southern Oregon both received votes in the new poll.

The second half of the Frontier season kicks into high gear this weekend. The Lights play their final road game of 2013, while Carroll travels to Western, Dickinson visits Montana Tech and Eastern Oregon plays at RMC.

The Lights play their final three games of the season at home, starting with Carroll College Oct. 26, followed by a night game against Montana Tech on Nov. 2.

NAIA Football Poll

The Associated Press

Rec. Pts Pv

1. Morningside (Iowa) (14) 5-0 314 1

2. Cumberlands (Ky.) 5-0 300 2

3. Grand View (Iowa) 6-0 291 3

4. Saint Francis (Ind.) 4-1 275 4

5. Benedictine (Kan.) 6-0 263 5

6. Missouri Valley 4-1 249 6

7. Carroll (Mont.) 5-1 239 7

8. Ottawa (Kan.) 5-1 235 8

9. St. Ambrose (Iowa) 4-1 219 9

10. Baker (Kan.) 5-1 213 11

11. Georgetown (Ky.) 3-2 185 12

12. Rocky Mountain 5-1 178 13

13. Tabor (Kan.) 5-1 169 14

14. Concordia (Neb.) 6-0 167 15

15. Friends (Kan.) 5-1 149 t17

16. Peru State (Neb.) 5-1 133 19

17. Saint Xavier (Ill.) 3-3 115 10

18. Montana State-Northern 4-2 89 24

19. Faulkner (Ala.) 4-2 86 23

20. St. Francis (Ill.) 4-2 77 25

21. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 5-2 61 t17

22. Valley City State (N.D.) 4-2 56 16

23. Trinity Intl. (Ill.) 4-2 48 21

24. Reinhardt (Ga.) 4-2 28 NR

25. Cumberland (Tenn.) 4-2 21 NR

Others Receiving Votes: Montana Western 16; Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 13; Southern Oregon 9; Sterling (Kan.) 5; Taylor (Ind.) 4; Bacone (Okla.) 4; Northwestern (Iowa) 3.