Finally: Lights play Yotes in first game since 2019

The last team the Montana State University-Northern Lights played was the College of Idaho Yotes. Normally, that wouldn't be relevant, but these aren't normal times, and that game at C of I took place Nov. 16, 2019.

Yes, it's been that long since the Lights, or anyone other than the Yotes have played a college football game, and that's why Saturday will be a big day. Because the Lights finally return to the field, and it will be against C of I. The Lights meet the fifth-ranked and defending Frontier Conference champion Yotes at 1 p.m. Saturday in Caldwell, Idaho, and Northern head coach Andrew Rolin couldn't be more excited.

"Our players just want to go play the game they love, and play it together as a team," Rolin said.

The Lights will get that chance Saturday, as the first of a four-game Frontier spring schedule to at least somewhat make up for the loss of the entire 2020 season due to the coronavirus crisis.

But, as excited as the Lights are, the trip to C of I will be anything but easy.

The Yotes, of head coach Mike Moroski, made the playoffs in 2019, in what was just their sixth year of football. And while they lost some standout performers, including quarterback Darius-James Peterson, they were still picked to win the league had their been a 2020 fall season.

"We know they will be highly disciplined and tough," Rolin said of the Yotes. "They are well coached. Defensively, with the same coordinator, we expect to see similar looks as 2019. Offensively, with Mike Cody leaving for UC Davis, we're ready for anything, with the understanding that coach Moroski wants to run the football. They have a lot of talent on offense, defense and special teams."

No doubt, C of I is good.

The Yotes offensive attack will look different this season sans Peterson behind center - but a trio of returners look to take the job and run with it. Sophomore Jacob Holcomb served as C of I's back-up last season, while his brother, junior Nathaniel Holcomb used a redshirt year after passing for 421 yards in 2018 as Peterson's understudy. Redshirt freshman Ryan Hibbs, who missed all of 2019 due to injury, is also squarely in the mix. Whomever is at quarterback will have a potent group of skill players to work with - as The Yotes return All-Frontier Conference running back Nick Calzaretta, who rushed for 1,221 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior - the second-highest rushing total in program history.

Meanwhile, C of I did lose seven starters on defense from the 2019 team, so the Lights, led by quarterback Brenden Medina, will look to exploit that Saturday.

And that's the goal for Northern - to execute at a high level. Sure, there will be rust and mistakes, but Rolin said his team is laser-focused and is ready to begin the next step in the journey to Northern becoming a Frontier Conference power. And while the task will be tall in Idaho, the Lights are looking forward to the opportunity to not only play a real game for the first time in well over a year, but, also do it against one of the best teams in not just the league, but perhaps the NAIA.

"We are completely focused on doing what it takes to beat the College of Idaho," Rolin said. "We need to play fast, physical, and with unbelievable execution. It's a great challenge and opportunity for us to show everyone who we are as a team."

The game between the Lights and Yotes kicks off at 1 p.m. in Simplot Stadium. The game can be streamed by going to http://www.golightsgo.com. Northern has next week off before traveling to Carroll College March 27.

Spring has arrived

MSU-Northern Lights (0-0) at #5 College of Idaho

Yotes

(0-0)

Saturday, 1 p.m.

Caldwell, Idaho

Streaming: golightsgo.com

Twitter: Twitter/Havredaily