Lights look to get over the hump against Orediggers

Even though they are 0-4 to start the season, the Montana State University-Northern football team has made strides the past few weeks. Last week, they nearly won their first Frontier Conference game in several years but the Lights gave up a go-ahead touchdown to Rocky Mountain College in the final minutes. As the Lights host Montana Tech University this Saturday at Tilleman Field, MSU-N head coach Andrew Rolin knows his team will need to play their best to push through for a win against the Orediggers.

"They're a well-disciplined team just like everyone else in the conference, so we're going to have to show up and match that discipline," Rolin said. "We got to learn how to finish. We put ourselves in position to win last week and fell short."

MT enters the game with a 1-3 record this season with their lone win coming against RMC. The Orediggers offense is led by quarterback Jet Campbell who has completed 52.07 percent of his passes for 822 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions this season. In his past two games, Campbell has improved his game with three passing touchdowns and no interceptions.

Campbell has several receivers who can make big plays for him. Kiley Caprara leads the team with 22 catches for 271 yards this season. Campbell also has Kyle Torgerson who has three touchdowns and 215 yards on 19.55 yards a catch this season. Rolin believes that Campbell's weapons and his experience can give the Lights some problems this weekend.

"Quarterback's a good player. He's experienced, he's been there for a while," Rolin said about Campbell. "Offensively on the perimeter, they've got a couple really talented receivers."

MSU-N will need their best defenders to continue making plays this weekend. MSU-N defensive back Isaiah Paul has been opportunistic this fall as he leads the team with four interceptions, including three in the last two games. The Lights will also need to put pressure on Campbell with the likes of Joe Fehr and Cole Curry who have a combined five sacks this fall.

"It's going to be a fun challenge because they have some pretty good receivers and tight ends," Rolin said. "We're going to have to get after the quarterback and put some pressure on him in the pass game and play gaps-down football in the run game."

The Lights will also need to overcome the Orediggers' front seven on defense. However, Rolin believes he has the personnel to run the ball and move the chains. After a slow start to the season, Izayah Boss has taken the lead for the MSU-N rushing attack. This season, he has 360 rushing yards, 280 of which came in the last two games. He has also ran for three touchdowns the past two weeks.

Rolin also expects his offensive line to hold up in pass protection to give quarterback Kaymen Cureton time. Cureton will try to find his leading receivers Jake Horner and Tyrese Rios to move the ball. Horner leads the team with 171 receiving yards while Rios has 170 yards and a touchdown this fall. But they will only have the chance to make plays if the Lights' offensive line holds up.

"I expect to run the football well and protect the quarterback. I think we got some guys on the perimeter that can make some big plays," Rolin said.

Last week against the Bears, the Lights played their best game of the season. However, they still made mistakes in key moments that lost them the game. After they failed to pick a first down to run out the clock, their ensuing punt only went 10 yards and gave the Bears great field position they would use to score. The Lights then ended the game with an interception on the ensuing drive.

"We got to eliminate some mistakes and we need to take advantage of our opportunities given to us," Rolin said. "If we take away the ball on defense, we've got to capitalize on it."

Along with cleaning up their mistakes, the Lights have used practice this week to prepare for crunch time in games. Through the week, they have tried their best to simulate important moments in the game in order to sharpen their players.

"Iron sharpens iron, another man sharpens another, so we put ourselves in competitive situations to prepare ourselves for Saturdays," Rolin said.

Once game day arrives, the Lights will need to put together another performance like they did against the Bears. But this time, they will need to do it for all 60 minutes if they are going to hold on to win.

"I really think it's going to come down to just being consistent all four quarters and playing for the man next to you," Rolin said. "There's a lot to be said about playing as a team and being a team and I think we're really coming together as a team. I'm excited where we are and I look forward to watching these guys and coaching these guys this weekend."

MSU-N football will play MT this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Tilleman Field.