Lights fall short against Yotes on senior day

It was an emotional day for the 2016 Montana State University-Northern seniors. But, the College of Idaho Yotes zapped some of that emotion inside Blue Pony Stadium.

The Yotes scored on their first possession of the game, and led from start to finish in a 31-13 win over the Lights Saturday afternoon in Havre. In the season finale for both teams, Northern finished at 1-8, while C of I improved to 3-8.

Despite a big day from star senior Zach Mckinley, who rushed for over 150 yards and scored a fourth-quarter touchdown, the Lights couldn't stop big passing plays to C of I tight end Marcus Lenhardt, one of which set up a Colby Brown TD to give the Yotes an early 7-0 lead. Northern answered with a Tommy Langley 51-yard field goal, the longest in school history, but Zach Garzoli's 25-yard scamper midway through the second period sent the Yotes into halftime leading 17-3.

The Northern defense did well to slow down C of I's option running attack, but, more big plays to Lenhardt in the third quarter, set up a Darius-James Peterson two-yard run with :50 left in the third, putting the Yotes up 24-6.

The teams traded three turnovers early in the fourth quarter before the Yotes tacked on another rushing touchdown to up the lead to 31-6. McKinley busted off a 22 yards run on the ensuing possession, and then scored from eight yards out to cap his brilliant Northern career, and the scoring in the game.

For full coverage, see Monday's Havre Daily News.