Lights lose tough battle at Rocky

The Montana State University-Northern football team gave the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears all they wanted last Saturday in Billings.

In the end however, it wasn't enough.

In a non-conference game against Frontier Conference rival RMC last Saturday in Billings, Northern lost 27-12 to fall to 0-2 on the season.

After the first half, the Lights trailed just 17-12. Northern had 118 yards to Rocky's 196 total yards, but the Lights scored on their opening drive after running six plays. Zach Brooks completed a TD pass to Reid Woodward in the back of the endzone. Northern added a scoop and score on a blocked punt by Spencer Lehnerz.

The Lights were held scoreless in the second half. Northern tallied 202 yards of total offense (56 passing and 146 rushing), while the Battlin' Bears accounted for 344, of which 216 yards were on the ground.

Northern quarterback Zack Brooks went 4-for-10 with one touchdown. Mason Dionne carried the ball 25 times for 94 yards. Reid Woodward had one catches for a touchdown. Devin Carmona and Braydon Cline each had nine tackles.

Rocky\ quarterback Graedyn Buell went 21 for 29 through the air for 128 yards. Ben Rooney carried the ball 16 times for 93 yards. Eric Lira had two catches on the afternoon for 32 yards and one touchdown. Aq Peternal led the team in tackles with seven.

The Lights have a bye this week before playing their home opener Sept. 21 against Arizona Christian.