MSU-N Game Day: His dedication is fueling the Lights

Aarron Thompson

Havre Daily News sports

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College football, at any level, the season and the games within it are always significant, especially the first home game. The game comes down to every play, every decision, and in the end comes down to one thing: the team.

College football players put everything out on the field, but home games always seem to raise the bar for every player. From the first to the last home game, players make it all count.

The first home game also sets the tone for the rest of a team's home games, too. Whether it's through the air or on the ground, a player has to give it their all and lead the team to victory.

This Saturday, at Blue Pony Stadium, that will be the case for senior running back Jett Robertson as the Lights prepare to take on Montana Western in their first home game of the season.

"We just finally want to not be one of the teams that would be overlooked," said Robertson. "And now be recognized for the talent that's been brought on and how everything's been shaped."

Robertson is one that has strived to not be overlooked as well.

Robertson came to Northern as a running back and in the years he's played, proved to be a running back to watch on the Lights' offense. Robertson had a good year last season. The Lights' home opener against Mayville State saw Robertson score three touchdowns and rush for 167 yards. The 2018 season opener would be his best game of the season.

The end of Robertson's 2018 season had him total 184 carries for 686 yards, four rushing touchdowns, 30 reception for 205 yards, two receiving touchdowns, and 28 kick return attempts for 515 yards.

So far this season, Robertson has totaled 19 carries for 73 rushing yards, two receptions for 20 yards, and one kick return attempt for 23 yards. Robertson looks to do even more in the future of the season.

With all the praise and talent Robertson radiates, why didn't he get his turn sooner? Truth is, Robertson had quite the down period before he rose up to the player he is now.

Robertson started off by waiting his turn behind the greatest running backs in Northern history in Zack McKinley. When Robertson's turn would come, he was unfortunately injured and had to miss the 2017 season. At this point, most other players would have giveen up and left the team, but not Robertson.

Robertson was only more motivated and stayed positive so he could rise up and dominate when he got his chance again.

"I just love my team and my school," Robertson said when asked how he got through those times. "I just don't want to let them down so I just stuck with it. It's (Northern), it's where I have to be and it's where I want to be."

Robertson's tenacity and love for his team made him stronger. The team would come together and stand alongside him when he hit the field for the first time, putting on a show for the world to see.

From there, not only has Robertson built a name for himself as Northern's key running back, but he's also been a great team leader and his teammates love and respect him.

"When it comes to the team, I feel like I'm more of the lead-by-example type of person," said Robertson. "Like when the coaches say do this, do this, and do this, I do it and everyone else will follow after me because I'll do it correctly. I want to show them how to do it, so when it's their turn they can do it.

"Jett has been a bigtime leader for this team, since the say I got here," Northern head coach Andrew Rolin said about his senior running back earlier this summer. He just gets it, he gets what we're trying to do, and he leads by example."

Leadership wasn't something that was just given to Robertson, either. He simply stepped up when the moment called and became a voice when no one else would. Robertson's climb to his current state was no easy feat, but he persevered and made it through, giving himself and his team a gift of greatness.

On top of that, Robertson has learned something special with his time at Northern - a time that has saw him play for three different had coaches, and be a part of very little winning.

"Push through adversity and just keep looking forward," said Robertson. "Just trust the process and it works. Just try to keep working."

Robertson has a lot to be grateful for when it comes to his career and he knows he's come a long way. His coaches' words push him each and every day to be better.

"Just like coach says: continuous effort, continuous improvement," quoted Robertson. "You just keep trying and it's going to work."

Being a Light has always been a staple in Robertson's dedication to the football program. He never let the bad times keep him down. He just kept working to get right back up and go for it again.

And Robertson's final season with MSU-Northern doesn't phase him one bit. And it shouldn't, especially with how he wants to finish the season.

"With a winning season," Robertson said. "Just put Northern on the map. Just kind of go off so the guys the following years are successful in the future because of what we started now."

Robertson became something to be proud of. He's a leader, a two-year captain, a fighter, and someone who never backs down in the face of adversity. In the end, those qualities of a player are the story more than football is.

In other words, Jett Robertson is the fuel that helps the Lights shine bright.