Rematch: Lights battle Bears in Billings

For the first time this season, the Montana State University-Northern Lights know exactly what to expect from their opponent. That’s because they’ve seen the Rocky Mountain College Battlin’ Bears before.

On Saturday, Northern (1-4, 1-4) begins the second half of the Frontier Conference season with a rematch with the Battlin, Bears (3-2, 3-3). RMC bested the Lights 31-21 back in August in Havre, and this time around the teams will square off at the newly remodeled Herb Klindt Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Billings.

“Any time you’ve already played someone, it makes preparing for them a little different,” Northern head coach Aaron Christensen said. “It’s definitely different playing someone the second time around because we’ve seen each other, and there’s film on each other. So, going in, we should know what to expect from Rocky, and they know what to expect from us.”

And what the Lights expect is an angry Bears’ squad coming off a heartbreaking defeat. Going into last Saturday’s home game, the Bears were tied for first in the Frontier Conference standings, they were nationally ranked, and they had their eyes on an NAIA playoff berth. And things looked even better when the Bears took a 34-21 lead on No. 9 Southern Oregon into the fourth quarter.

However, from there, things fell apart and RMC wound up, losing 35-34, meaning the Bears only hope of making the playoffs will rest on winning the league title outright — something that won’t be easy.

Still, even with the bitter loss, there’s no doubt RMC is a dangerous team, and Northern knows that all too well. Veteran quarterback Chase White threw for 221 yards and Rocky scored three rushing touchdowns in their win at Blue Pony Stadium back on Aug. 27. In that game, MSU-N’s defense did well to hold the Bears to just 330 yards of offense, but since that time, RMC has continued to grow.

White, running back Kodee Varner, who’s averaging 97 yards per game in his last three, as well as a bevy of wide receivers will present challenges to a Northern defense that has allowed 51 points per game in its last two outings, including a 52-31 loss to Eastern Oregon at home last Saturday night.

However, the Lights also know they can play better on defense because they’ve done it. Just three weeks ago, Northern was first in the league in rushing defense and third in the Frontier in total defense. And with Tyler Craig, Jordan Brusio and Patrick Barnett still terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, with linebacker Garet Fowler having a monster season with 46 tackles, and with a secondary anchored by Logan Sprouse’ 30 tackles and two interceptions, there’s no reason why Northern can’t quickly turn its defensive struggles around.

Offensively, the Lights are already starting to do that. In their first meeting with the Bears, starter Jess Krahn was intercepted three times, and in what was a 10-point game, turnovers were a huge difference. However, in the last two games, Northern has committed just one turnover, and junior quarterback Caleb McLaren didn’t throw an interception in last Saturday’s loss to EOU. McLaren also gives the Lights an added running threat from the quarterback position, which takes some of the pressure off senior standout Zach McKinley, who’s second in the Frontier in rushing at 92 yards per game. And after how hard he ran against EOU last week, there’s a feeling that McKinley is more than due for one of his patented 200-yard outbursts, like the ones that have helped him gain over 4,000 yards in his incredible Northern career.

However, even with all the strides the Lights’ offense has shown recently, Northern will still be challenged against an RMC defense which allows just 351 total yards and 141 on the ground. That defense is anchored by linebackers Cole Jelenik and Chase Beterlson, as well as big, run-stopping linemen Seth Swandal and Brendon Johnson. And again, having already played the Bears once, the Lights know first-hand just how solid that RMC defense is.

Northern will also be in a hostile environment Saturday, as the Bears are hungry to hold on to their fading Frontier title hopes. Still, MSU-N always seems to play well in Billings, and the Lights are hoping to do so again Saturday, in a game that could not only spoil the rest of Rocky’s season, but also get the Lights back on the track they were hoping to stay on after beating Carroll College last month.

Saturday’s game between Northern and Rocky kicks off at 1 p.m. in Billings. The Lights return home to face the Montana Tech Orediggers next Saturday afternoon in a homecoming game at Blue Pony Stadium.

Second Half

MSU-Northern Lights (1-4, 1-4) at RMC Battlin' Bears (3-2, 3-3)

Saturday, 1 p.m.

in Billings

Streaming: http://www.msun.edu/athletics

Radio: 92.5 KPQX FM

Twitter: Twitter/Havredaily