Lights ready to march into Helena

The first two games of the Montana State University-Northern Lights' 2017 season have been a roller coaster ride. So in game three, the Lights are looking to put together a consistent four quarters.

Northern (0-2, 0-2) opened the season with a heartbreaking, last-minute loss at Rocky Mountain College Sept. 2 - a game in which the Lights had the lead twice in the final four minutes. Then, last Saturday, MSU-N felt the wrath of the Montana Tech offense in a 70-27 loss inside Blue Pony Stadium.

So, with two completely different games under their belt, the Lights head to Helena to battle the surprisingly winless Carroll College Fighting Saints. And inside Nelson Stadium Saturday, someone is going to get their first win of the young season. Kickoff in Helena is set for 1 p.m.

And in Helena, the Lights will be looking for consistency, on both sides of the ball.

Through their first two games, the Northern offense is averaging 475 yards of total offense and 350 through the air. The Lights' offense is ranked third or better in five different Frontier categories thus far, so with junior quarterback Tommy Wilson leading the charge, a slew of talented wide receivers and running backs Trey Blanchard and B.J. Peters doing a good job on the ground, it's clear, MSU-N is sporting a much more dynamic offense this season.

But head coach Aaron Christensen still thinks his team can do better.

"You see when we're doing things right, we can move the ball," Christensen said following last Saturday's loss to Tech. "But, one thing, we've got to do a better job of is finishing drives. We have to be able to play like that offensively for four quarters."

The same can be said for the MSU-N defense. Despite what the final score said, and the fact that Tech racked up 818 yards of offense, the Lights' defense had some good moments last Saturday. They forced four turnovers, and got the juggernaut Tech offense off the field in several key situations in the first half.

MSU-N's defense is getting especially good production from the linebackers. Senior Garet Fowler is leading the Frontier in tackles, while Alec Wagner and Steven Fernandez were responsible for two of Tech's four turnovers last Saturday. MSU-N's secondary is also making strides, especially safeties Dequincy Bergen and Dylan Kelley, who are just a sophomore and freshman, respectively.

But at the end of the day, Northern's defense, like the offense, needs to be more consistent, and it starts with slowing down Carroll this Saturday.

"You always have to start with the running game," Christensen said of the Saints. "If you can slow down the running game you've got a good chance. Not only that, they have a couple of fast receivers out there wide that can make you pay. So limit that run game and make sure they're not getting those big plays."

Big plays have haunted the Lights thus far, whether it be against Tech last Saturday, or giving up an 86-yard kickoff return in the final minutes against Rocky in Billings.

However, big plays have also been something that's missing from Carroll's resume in their difficult 0-2 start. In losses at Tech, and a stunning 40-13 home defeat at the hands of RMC last Saturday, Carroll's offense has struggled. The Saints are averaging just 297 yards of total offense, and in two games, Carroll has mustered only 217 yards rushing, which is last in the Frontier.

And while Carroll's offense seems to be stuck in the mud, the Saints do have the players to make it break out. Ryan Walsh and Major Ali are stout running backs, while receiver Connor Fohn is one of the best playmakers in the conference. Ryan Arnston is also a weapon for senior quarterback Tanner Gustaven.

Meanwhile, Carroll's defense, at times, as been unlike what Saints' fans have grown accustom to seeing as well. The Saints have surrendered 43 ppg so far, with only Northern behind them in scoring defense. Carroll is also giving up 511 yards per game, while Northern's defense surrenders 599.

Of course, both teams have already played Tech's offensive machine, which skews the numbers a little, but there's no doubt, even with standout DL Alec Basterrechea and Peyton Sexe, former Griz linebacker Alex Thomas and linebacker David Anderson, Carroll's defense hasn't yet risen to the level head coach Mike Van Diest hoped it would.

Still, Carroll is Carroll and anytime the Saints take the field at famed Nelson Stadium, the opposition is going to have its hands full. And Northern, even with a win over the Saints last year in Havre, has never won in Helena.

So, despite the Saints' recent struggles, they certainly have the Lights' full attention and respect as Northern goes to Helena in search of its first win of the 2017 campaign.

"Carroll College is very well coached, they'll be well coached on defense," Christensen said. "That's just them, they've been that way for a long time. They'll be physical, they'll keep things in front of them and they'll make them earn your yards."

And Northern is hoping to earn those yards, and earn a victory. The Lights have already shown flashes of brilliance this season, but the fact is they're still 0-2, and Christensen says the key to winning is simply playing better.

"We've done soome really good things," Christensen said. "I'm pleased with a lot of what we've done so far. We did some good things throughout the game (Montana Tech), but we didn't play good enough. We know we have to play better."

Saturday's game between the Lights and Fighting Saints will start at 1 p.m. in Helena. Northern returns homes Sept. 23 to host the UM-Western Bulldogs at Blue Pony Stadium.

Fighting for a W

MSU-Northern Lights (0-2, 0-2) at Carroll College Saints (0-2, 0-2)

Saturday, 1 p.m.

in Helena

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

Radio: 92.5 KPQX FM

Twitter: Twitter/Havredaily