Lights lose at Southern Oregon

Still in search of their first win of 2024, the Montana State University-Northern football team traveled to Ashland, Oregon last Saturday.

However, against the high-scoring Raiders, the Lights fell to 0-6 in the Frontier with a 57-17 loss.

Northern held the Raiders to just an 8-0 lead in the first quarter, but then the flood gates opened as SOU scored 35 points in the second stanza to build a 43-0 halftime lead.

Colter Wolstad scored two touchdowns in the second half for the Lights, but it was too little, too late as SOU won going away.

Northern quarterback Ashton Platt went just 3-of-5 through the air for 51 yards and one touchdown. Platt also led the team in rushing yards with 67 yards. Wolstad caught one pass for 36 yards. Northern's defense was led by Michael Watkins with eight tackles and one sack. Lucas Thacker added seven tackles.

Southern Oregon quarterback Blake Asciutto completed 9-of-14 passes for 85 yards. Running back Isaiah Hidalgo carried the ball 9 times for 125 yards with three touchdowns. Cole Plum-Kazmierczak led the receivers with two catches for 30 yards.  The defense was led by Ayden Denbo with five tackles and one sack.

Lights are now 0-7 as they return home to host nationally-ranked Montana Western. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. this Saturday at Tilleman Field. The Bulldogs are 6-1 and are coming off a 69-7 win over Arizona Christian last Saturday.