Lights take down mighty Saints

There may have been some surprises Saturday afternoon at Blue Pony Stadium. But in actuality, the members of the Montana State University-Northern Lights weren't surprised at all. Instead, they knew they had this type of game in them.

And, the Lights proved it by snapping a 12-game losing streak which dated back to last fall, as they up-ended No. 22 Carroll College 28-14 Saturday at Blue Pony Stadium.

"It feels great," MSU-N's Aaron Christensen, who got his first win as a head coach Saturday, said. "It's huge to get this first one, and when you consider, we're playing a great program and team in Carroll College, it's special. I'm just really proud of our players and coaches."

Northern's win came just a month shy of 10 years since the last time the Lights knocked off the Saints. But, Saturday's victory had a much-different feel. This was a Lights' team trying to climb back up the Frontier Conference ladder, and trying so hard to win after an 0-11 season a year ago.

"Hard work pays off," defensive end Tyler Craig said. "We knew we had a team capable of playing four good quarters of football. We just had to actually go out and do it. And we did that today. I thought it was a great team win, where we played hard, good football for four quarters.

"I think it just re-enforces our message," Christensen added. "That when you work hard, and stick to what you're doing, it will play off. So, I'm just so happy to see it pay off for these guys because they have worked hard."

The hard work started on the defensive end as the Lights held Carroll scoreless for the entire first half, and turned a second-quarter Saints' fumble into the first of three Zach McKinley touchdowns, as MSU-N led 7-0 at the half.

Things got even better when Logan Sprouse intercepted a pass on the second play of the third quarter, and, two plays later, Jess Krahn threw a TD pass to Wyatt McKinlay.

With Northern's defense in complete command, the Lights would add two fourth-quarter scores, both by McKinley, including a 31-yard run that was a thing of beauty. That put the Lights ahead 21-0. Carroll scored twice in the fourth, but it was to no avail, as the Lights improved to 1-2 on the season.

McKinley had a brilliant day with 87 yards on 27 carries, and his three scores. Northern's offense gained a total of just 220 yards, but Krahn was extremely efficient, throwing for 158 yards and just one INT. He also completed big third-down plays all day long, to the likes of Sam Mix, Mario Gobbato and McKinley.

On the other side, Northern completely controlled the Saints' offense. The Lights held Carroll to a scant 214 yards of offense, and just 11 first downs. The Lights also had four sacks, while defensive captains Craig and Garet Fowler combined for 14 tackles. The Saints, who fell to 1-2, were also only able to gain a mere 62 yards on the ground.

"This is big," McKinley said. "It's big to get that first W, but it's also big for the program. I think it will just make things a lot better. It will make practice better, and it also gives us the confidence to go forward, knowing we are a team capable of winning football games against good teams."

The Lights will try for their second win of the season when they travel to UM-Western next Saturday.

For much more on Northern's win over Carroll, see Monday's Havre Daily News.