On a stormy day, the Lights fall to Rocky Mountain College

On a rainy and windy Saturday afternoon at Tilleman Field, the Montana State University-Northern football team played in a messy game against Rocky Mountain College. Through the wind and the rain, neither team scored in the first half. But in the second half, the Battlin’ Bears broke through to leave Havre with a 9-0 win over the Lights.

While it was a loss, it was the closest game for the Lights this year. As the Lights begin building a program under MSU-N head coach Jerome Souers, a competitive game like this is a step in the right direction.

“I think we did a better job of playing with the kind of consistency and energy that would make us more competitive,” Souers said. “We’re pleased with that but disappointed that we didn’t get a chance to come away with a victory.”

Both offenses struggled in the rainy conditions. The Lights finished the game with only 63 yards of offense and two first downs. Starting quarterback Kaymen Cureton went 3-for-11 through the air for 14 yards and two interceptions. The Lights finished the game with 49 rushing yards with Mason Dionne leading the way with 28 yards on 1.6 yards a carry.

The Bears offense also struggled but found ways to move the ball. The Bears finished the game with 227 total yards, 191 of which came in the running game. Zaire Wilcox led the Bears with 86 yards and a touchdown on 2.7 yards a carry. The Bears struggled throwing the ball as Trent Nobach went 3-for-13 for 36 yards and one interception.

Nine points allowed was a season-best for the Northern defense. Linebacker Dylan Wampler led the team with 13 tackles while safety Hunter Riley recorded 12 tackles and an interception. While it was another loss for the Lights, a strong game from the defense is a positive sign.

“The defense played with great inspiration and kept us in the game,” Souers said. “We just weren’t able to get enough points on the board to put us in the win column.”

Both offenses came out cold to start the game. After a Lights three-and-out, the Bears got a good punt return from Kaysan Barnett to get the Bears into Northern territory. But on the first play of their opening drive, Nobach fumbled the ball and Andreas Van Diest recovered it for the Lights.

The Lights looked to take advantage of the takeaway as they started the drive at midfield. On a third and eight, Cureton moved the chains with an 18-yard run to the RMC 29-yard line. But two plays later, Cureton’s pass to the end zone was intercepted by Barnett.

Over the rest of the first quarter, the Lights and Bears both went three-and-out multiple times. Early in the second quarter, the Bears put a drive together. On a third and six early in the drive, Nobach completed a 16-yard pass to Wilcox down to the RMC 46-yard line. Later on a fourth and ten at their own 46-yard line, John Waddell ran for a 20-yard run into Northern territory for a first down. But a few plays later on a third and five, Nobach threw an interception to Riley.

After another Lights three-and-out, the Bears tried to finish off a drive this time. On a third and one, Wilcox had a four-yard run to the RMC 28-yard line. Matt White then had back-to-back runs for another first down for the Bears. But around midfield, the Bears stalled and had to punt the ball away.

Thanks to a penalty and a sack, the Lights found themselves behind the chains on their next drive. They were unable to convert as they punted the ball away again. The Bears continued to run the ball to move the chains. Nobach then completed a 12-yard pass to Donavan Sellgre down to the Northern 38-yard line.

But three-straight incompletions and a false start put the Bears in a fourth and 15 at the Northern 43-yard line. The Bears then fumbled the ball and gave it back the Lights. The Lights then ran out the clock to end the half with the game tied 0-0.

Looking to break through, the Bears put a heavy emphasis on running the ball. Wilcox started the drive with an 11-yard run for a first down. After a run from Nobach, Wilcox had two-straight runs for another first down.

Ben Rooney then got three-straight runs to get the Bears down to the Northern 35-yard line. On fourth and one, Wilcox got the two-yard carry for the conversion. After another three runs by the Bears, Wilcox converted a fourth down with a six-yard carry to the Northern 18.

After another run and a penalty, the Bears had it first and goal at the five-yard line. But the Lights finally halted the ground game to force a fourth down. Despite the rough weather, Austin Drake made a 24-yard field goal to give the Bears a 3-0 lead halfway through the third quarter.

The Lights did not start the second half strong as they went three, and, out. With the ball back, the Bears went right back to work. Wilcox started the drive with three straight runs for a first down in Northern territory. White then got some carries to move the ball. But the Lights again made a stand in the red zone to force a fourth and 11 at the 14-yard line. This time, Drake missed the field goal wide right.

The Bears forced another three, and, out and got the ball back to start the fourth quarter. They continued to run the ball well but eventually had to punt themselves. The Lights responded with another three, and, out to punt it right back to the Bears.

White started the next drive for the Bears with three runs for a first down. Cade Lambert then got the call at running back with three-straight carries down to the Northern ten. The Bears then went back to White for three runs down to the one-yard line. Lambert then got the call as he ran the ball in for the first touchdown of the game. The Bears missed the extra point, but they had a 9-0 lead late in the fourth quarter.

The Lights tried to put together a drive in response. After the Lights punted again, the Bears fumbled the ball and the Lights recovered it at the Northern 46-yard line. However, Cureton was intercepted by Brail Lipford to end the drive. The Bears then ran out the clock to finally end the game.

The Lights now fall to 0-9 on the season in their first year under Souers. The Lights only have one more game this season with a home game against Montana Tech. While this was another loss, Souers hopes to see the energy and drive that his players had against the Bears continue against Tech and into the offseason.

“I thought we played with a great zest and energy and effort,” Souers said. “It wasn’t a win, but we’re making progress. That I know for sure.”

The MSU-N football team will finish the season with a game against Montana Tech at Tilleman Field this Saturday at noon.

Rocky Mountain 0 0 3 6 - 9

MSU-Northern 0 0 0 0 - 0

3rd Quarter

RMC - Austin Drake 24 FG

Drive: 16 plays, 58 yards

4th Quarter

RMC - Cade Lambert 1 yd run (Kick failed)

Drive: 11 plays, 39 yards

RMC MSU-N

First Downs 19 2

Rushing 66-191 30-49

Passing Yards 36 14

Total Offense 227 63

Kick Returns 1/35 2/40

Punts 5/49.2 10/41.4

Penalties 3/20 5/39

Possession 37:05 22:55

INDIVIDUAL

RUSHING - RMC, Zaire Wilcox 32-86, Matt White 13-55, Ben Rooney 7-29, John Waddell 1-20; MSU-N, Mason Dionne 17-28, Kaymen Cureton 9-14, Kai Green 3-6, TaVarus George 1-1.

PASSING - RMC, Trent Nobach 3-13-36-0-1; MSU-N, Kaymen Cureton 3-11-14-0-2.

RECEIVING - RMC, Zaire Wilcox 1-16, Donavan Sellgre 1-12, Trae Henry 1-8; MSU-N, Luke Triplett 1-5, TaVarus George 1-5, Kai Green 1-4.

TACKLES - RMC, Wes Moeai 6, Dylan Beridon 6, Isaiah Tennell 3, Isaiah Schlegel 3; MSU-N, Dylan Wampler 13, Hunter Riley 12, Lucas Thacker 11, Johkyreian Shealey 9.