Lights establishing an identity

Spring football is always an important time of year for any program. But when you have a new head coach like the Montana State University-Northern Lights do, it becomes even more important. And not just to install a new system or get familiar with a new coaching staff, it's also about establishing an identity.

And when it comes to Northern head coach Aaron Christensen and his football program, the vision and identity he wants for his football team comes down to one thing - physicality.

"I am old school," Christensen said. "I still believe that if you can run the football and stop the run, you are going to have a chance in just about every game. So we want to be able to establish the run on offense, stop the run on defense and be physical on both sides of the ball."

For a coach who wants to run the football, there couldn't be a better backfield to inherit than the one Christensen got with the Lights. That's because returning starter Zach McKinley, who has back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 yards rushing, and backup Mario Gobbato are as good a running back tandem as there is in Frontier Conference football.

And while the Lights' offense will be different than in years past, the fact is that just like a season ago, Northern will hang its hat on the running game. One difference though will be the method of play calling as MSU-N will no longer utilize a huddle in any situation and all plays will be signaled in from the sideline.

"We will never huddle and that will be a little different than what they have done in the past," Christensen said of the no-huddle offense. "But one of the things that we want to be able to do on offense is control the tempo. Everything we do will have a little more tempo to it, but I wouldn't call us an up-tempo offense.

"You are able to dictate the pace of the game," He added. "And when it comes to personnel, the defense can't substitute and all that stuff. But, it also gives you the ability to go up tempo if you want to because it's hard to decide to go fast all the time. It will not limit anything that we can do, we just won't huddle, but I really like how it gives the offense a chance to dictate the pace."

At the beginning of spring practice, the offensive installation took time, but as the spring has advanced, the players are becoming more and more comfortable according to Christensen, which has been a positive sign.

"We are getting to the point where the guys can actually play a little bit instead of thinking so much," Christensen said. "There was a bit of an adjustment period for the guys, but I think that it's gone well."

While many relate a no-huddle offense to throwing the football, it's a misnomer, especially where Christensen is concerned. Huddle or not, the Lights will pound the football in 2015 and not just because of a deep and talented backfield. It goes back to establishing a philosophy and an identity of physical football, which is something that Christensen wants to see carry over to the defensive side of the ball as well.

"I think when you look at our defense, you are going to see a lot of same things scheme-wise that you did before," Christensen said. "We just want to make sure the guys are hustling and playing aggressive. We want to be a physical team on both sides of the ball. We want to set the tone."

The theme of physicality that permeates from Christensen on down to his players will be on display this Saturday as the Lights close out spring football with their 2015 spring game. Things will get underway at 12 p.m., at the MSU-N practice field.

Yet, despite what happens Saturday, according to Christensen, the spring has already been a success. The players have adapted well to the new system and a number of individuals have caught the eye of the new head coach.

McKinley at running back and Tyler Craig at defensive end are two obvious standouts after each has put together solid springs, but others such as Gobbato, tight end Kagen Khamaneh and Jess Krahn, who is in competition for the starting quarterback job, have also impressed on offense. On defense, nose tackle Pat Barnett has turned heads along with cornerback Malcolm Manuel.

"I think that Mario, our other running back has played really well," Christensen said. "Jess Krahn has done a good job at quarterback and also our tight end Kagen (Khamaneh) is playing really, really well and is another that will be a good football player.

"On defense Pat Barnett has done really well in the middle, and he is going to be a very good player, too," he added. "Then, we have Malcolm (Manuel) a corner from last year, who has been pretty good. Those guys are some of the guys that have stood out the most to me."

All in all, it's been a positive spring for Christensen, who continues to mold the Lights in his image and build the foundation of his program. But before spring ball is over, he will get one last chance to evaluate his team Saturday in a controlled scrimmage that will last around 50 to 60 plays. His goals for the final scrimmage are simple - he wants to see players compete, execute and be physical. But at the end of the day the goal is the same - establish a brand of tough, physical football that defines Lights football for years to come.

"We want to be a physical team on both sides of the ball," Christensen said. "At the end of the day, no matter what, you have to be able to go out there and block and tackle. So that is something we are focusing on and I think that is something you can hang your hat on as a football program."

The Northern spring game is scheduled to begin Saturday at 12 p.m. The Lights will then look to the future and their season-opening game with Montana Tech Sept. 5 at Blue Pony Stadium.