Lights working on more big plays

Over the past two seasons, one of the big problems that the Montana State University-Northern football has had is a lack of big plays in the passing game.

However, it's an issue the Lights are hoping to address next season, and to do so they have put a focus on it right now, during spring practice.

"That's something that we talked about," Northern head coach Aaron Christensen said. "To make big plays you have to do all the other stuff and execute, but we are trying to put guys in a position to make those plays. We are making an effort to do that offensively because the game is a lot easier when you can get a 20-yard chunk or a 30-yard chunk."

While getting bigger plays down the field has been a focus for the Lights, Northern was able to stretch the field in Monday's night practice, as the offense connected on three passes for 40 yards or more, two of which were caught by Sam Mix and Seth Roemmele, two of the Lights leading receivers from a year ago.

Mike Cocke led the Lights in receiving a year ago as a freshman with 21 receptions for 221 yards, but Mix wasn't far behind as he caught 17 passes for 195 yards. Roemmele also has previous experience and has 19 career receptions, for just short of 200 yards, adding to a big group of returning receivers that also includes Donovan Garner, who caught nine passes and had an average of 15.1 yards per reception in 2016, which was second on the team. He also caught a touchdown pass.

"We have a big group," Christensen said. "And that's a good thing. We are trying to get them to understand and learn everything, and that's the most important thing. You can talk about getting open and having speed and catching the ball and all that, but the biggest thing is that you have to be where you are supposed to be. None of that other stuff matters if you aren't where you are supposed to be.

"We have some guys with experience," he added. "And we have some guys that are just in their redshirt year that are trying to challenge them, so I think we have a good mix of guys. We just know we need to be better throwing the football than we have been. So that's a big focus of ours."

Mix, who played significant snaps outside for the Lights a season ago, is putting together a solid spring. He made multiple catches down the field and caught two balls in practice Monday.

"Sam is playing really well right now," Christensen said. "The thing about him, is that you know you can trust him. You know he is going to run the right route and he is going to be in the right place. And you know if you throw it to him, he's going to catch it."

Yet, when it comes to the Lights passing game, wide receiver is far from the only position that matters, in fact, at Northern, tight ends are also counted on to do a lot.

Seeing as how Northern wants to run a spread, no-huddle attack, the tight end position is crucial. With guys like Kagen Khameneh, who caught 17 passes for 145 yards in 2016, along with Kitrell Willingham, former quarterback Jess Krahn and Jordan Pugh, the Lights have a bevy of versatile athletes at the position.

"The thing about those guys, is that if you have someone who can hurt you in the slot, but can also put his hand in the ground and block power, that puts more pressure on the defense," Christensen said. "Then the defense can't use personnel against you so much."

Only time will tell if the Northern football team will be able to generate the explosive plays in 2017, but if not, it won't be for a lack of trying.

"That's what we are trying to get to," Christensen said. "And hopefully we can develop those guys on the outside who can make those big plays."

The Lights' spring drills march on with practices Wednesday and Friday. Northern's Spring Game is set for April 22.