Lights quickly making big spring strides

As with any new coaching staff, there is a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the Montana State University-Northern football program and on the second day of spring football Wednesday, the Lights got after it.

For more than two hours, in the snow and in the cold, head coach Andrew Rolin and his team slugged it out and despite the fact that players were in just shorts, pads and helmets, the intensity was palpable.

"We definitely got better from day one to day two," Rolin said. "We want to get better every day at practice, that is one of our goals and I was excited to see that. We have a high-energy staff and we want to make practice as game-like as possible. We want to sometimes make it harder, so when we get into a game on a Saturday, everything has already been rehearsed and nothing is new to them. Nothing is a surprise. We want to create that culture and we are going to practice like that every single day."

Rolin said there were two things that really stood out to him Wednesday. One was the play of the defense, which forced a number of turnovers in 11-on-11 situations, including two in the final team period of the day. The Lights scrimmaged off and on throughout the practice, working on fundamentals, while also working in some 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 team work.

"I thought that from a competitive standpoint, we really took a step forward," Rolin said. "And defensively, I thought we took a big step from where we were in our first practice."

From a personnel perspective, Jett Robertson, a running back, who missed all of last season with a back injury, had a solid day. He broke off a couple nice runs and looks ready to challenge for the top spot in the backfield. Also in an effort to strengthen the defensive backfield, Caymus Thomas, a wide receiver a season ago, is playing defensive back. That is just one of the adjustments the program and the players are going through, but according to Rolin, the transition is going well.

"I think our team is 100 percent committed to what we are doing," Rolin said. "That's what excites me the most. The guys that are on our team right now are 100 percent bought in to our philosophy and want to be part of the culture. I said from day one that I wanted to build a winning culture here and they have bought into what it takes to do that."

While the defense had its moments, the offense was also able to make some things happen. All three quarterbacks, Dylan Cook, Tommy Wilson and Bryce Missey tooks snaps in the team periods and all were able to complete some passes down the field. Cook had the biggest night of all the quarterbacks, throwing two touchdown passes. Fotios Jordanoglou was able to make some nice plays down the field, along with Seth Roemmele. Robertson also hauled in some passes out of the backfield and fullback/tight end Wyatt McKinlay also ripped off an explosive play (20 yards or more) as a receiver.

Rolin said that it was far too early to begin talking about the starting quarterback job, but through a couple practices, the first-year head coach said he was pleased with what he has seen so far from his signal callers.

"I think they are doing what I am asking them to do," Rolin said. "We just have to learn how to execute and execute on a consistent basis. Once we learn how to do that, we are going to be a good football team. That position is important in this offense and they are definitely getting better every day, from a footwork standpoint, from an accuracy standpoint. They are making strides."

The Lights will wrap up their first week of spring football tonight and Saturday.