Northern Notebook: Lights make strides amidst tough loss

If anyone needed a sign as to whether the Montana State University-Northern Lights were going to give up on the 2015 season, then look no further than what MSU-N did Saturday.

Yes, the Lights lost 48-17 at the hands of College of Idaho Saturday, but from an emotional and effort standpoint, Northern is still fully engaged right now.

The Lights, especially a beleaguered Northern defense, which gave up 89 points two weeks ago at Southern Oregon, played with their hair on fire, and a series of bone-jarring hits was sign enough.

In the first half, Northern, already down 7-0, got back-to-back sacks from Jordan Brusio, as well as a key stop by Tyler Craig in the backfield on elusive C of I quarterback TeeJay Gordon. MSU-N also got a pair of key hits in the run game from up-and-coming linebacker Brooks Dunn. Craig would register another sack later in the game, while Garret Jericoff had an interception as Northern’s defense did all it could to hold back the powerful Yotes’ offense.

Northern was also especially fired up on special teams, as the Lights limited a dangerous C of I return game throughout the afternoon.

On offense, the Lights certainly showed signs of life as well. Jess Krahn made several big throws, and while some of his other throws might have been overlooked, he made a throw completely across the field on a third-down play to Jake Messerly, one which kept the Lights’ drive alive. Northern also got key runs by both Zach Mckinley and Mario Gobbato, while tight end Kagen Khamaneh kept playing hard and catching balls even after he suffered a bone-crunching hit early in the contest.

No, the outcome on the scoreboard wasn’t what the Lights were hoping for, and they’ll make no excuses, but there’s also no doubt, MSU-N took some small steps forward in Saturday’s game, and heart and attitude by the Lights were a big reason why.

“I think guys are buying in,” Christensen said. “The effort is good, it was good today. And I really do believe that if we continue to work, it will all get to where we need it to get. I don’t question their effort, or buying in or anything like that. They work hard. They played very hard today, and we got better.”

More Yards

McKinley is MSU-N’s all-time leading rusher, and he continues to add to that historic total.

He did Saturday with another 79 yards rushing, and a hard-earned four yards per carry on the day. Now, six games into his junior campaign, McKinley has totaled 2,104 yards on the ground, which puts him in very elite company as it relates to Frontier Conference running backs.

But, he’s also proving he’s not one-dimensional. McKinley also snagged three passes for 75 yards against the Yotes, and that’s helping his career receiving numbers to climb as well. In his Northern career, he’s proven to be a very versatile running back, as he’s caught 44 passes for 484 yards in his Northern career. And that will certainly help him climb the ranks of Northern’s all-time leaders in total offense.

McKinley is also well on pace to go over 1,000 yards rushing for the third straight season. He’s at 552 yards so far this fall, and he still has five games to go.

Not far off

The Yotes have had their struggles this season — a season which is only their second as NAIA football program. But, in their first-ever visit to Havre, it’s easy to see why C of I won’t be in the Frontier’s cellar for long.

The Yotes used a powerful, but innovative offensive game plan to stymie the Lights. And on defense, they are big up front and speedy in the secondary. But what really stands out is the youth the Yotes have, and that can only spell trouble for the Frontier in years to come.

Against the Lights, the Yotes had 24 players listed on their depth chart that were either sophomores or freshman. Backup quarterback A.J. Martin is just a freshman and he scored four times Saturday. Add to that C of I has a fertile recruiting base in the Boise, Idaho area, and a shiny new, 5,000-seat stadium, as well as a couple of big conference wins already, and the Yotes are going to be a force that everyone else in the conference is going to have to get used to dealing with for years to come.

Passing Breakout

The Lights had some important moments on offense against the Yotes Saturday, and especially good was the steps MSU-N’s passing game took.

Even in windy Blue Pony Stadium, Krahn had his best passing day of the season, going 15-of-37 for 229 yards and a touchdown. Against a stingy C of I pass defense, Krahn made some great throws, including a perfect 31-yarder to Messerly down the sideline, which set up an early second-half score by Northern. Messerly had a big day as well, hauling in 90 yards worth of Krahn passes, and even against a staunch secondary, led by C of I All-American candidates Cory Brady and Nate Moore, Messerly appeared to be just about uncoverable.

So, with the important steps forward the Lights took in the passing game, against one of the better pass defenses in the Frontier, Northern will hopefully build on that, and that will allow their offense to be more dynamic down the road.

“Offensively, we played better today,” Christensen noted. “Flat out, our protections were better, our run game was better, and our passing game was a little bit better.”