MSU-N Game Day 11-3-2017

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Notebook: Injuries have taken their toll on an already young MSU-Northern defense ■ From Page 11 University of Idaho and University of New Mexico.

Hall has done a masterful job in his first season at SOU, and of course, the Raider offense has been potent, as usual. But SOU is also winning with defense this season.

The Raiders are first in the Frontier in scoring defense, allowing 21 ppg. They also sit third in total defense, third against the run and third against the pass. They lead the league with 41 sacks and are first in turnover margin, having taken the ball away 23 times this season, while committing just nine. The SOU defense is a veteran unit with seven starters that are either seniors or juniors, and the group has been a perfect compliment to the Raiders’ powerful offense.

Banged Up While SOU’s defense will present plenty of challenges for the MSU-Northern Lights on Saturday, the Lights will have their hands full with the Raider offense too. And that presents big problems considering the

Lights’ defense is certainly the walking wounded.

Jake Eldridge’s unit has lost seven starters from its opening-day defensive lineup, and now, Northern has so thin, the Lights even have players playing out of position.

“We have linebackers who are having to play defensive line, and linebackers who are playing defensive back right now,” Eldridge said following the Lights’ loss to Carroll last Saturday. “It’s a good thing linebacker was our deepest position.”

Indeed, Northern has been very good at linebacker this fall. Veterans Garet Fowler and Alec Wagner have been huge for the MSU-N defense, while senior transfer Steven Fernandez had made a big impact.

Former Chinook standout Jake Norby was also having a strong first season with the Lights until he was injured two weeks ago.

The Lights have now also lost both their starting safeties in Dylan Kelly and Denquincy Bergen, who had a combined four interceptions between them.

And now the Lights’ very young defense has to go up against Tanner Trosin and an

SOU offense that is averaging 37 points and 472 yards per outing. Trosin is fourth in the NAIA in total offense and fifth in passing.

Mountie in the NFL The Detroit Lions seem to be a good place to go if you’re a Frontier Conference football player looking to have a shot at the NFL. The Lions was where former Chester standout and Carroll College tight end Casey Fitzsimmons made a name for himself, and now, another former Frontier guy is trying to do the same.

Last week, former Eastern Oregon star Jace Billingsley was active to the Lions’ 53-man roster, and was in uniform for Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Billingsley, who played both RB and WR at EOU, and was a 2016 NAIA AllAmerican, led the Lions in receiving during the preseason. Billingsley did not have any stats in Sunday night’s game.

Frontier Honors

Southern Oregon QB Tanner Trosin has been named the Frontier Conference and NAIA Offensive Player of the Week. No. 7 Southern Oregon stayed unbeaten with a 44-19 home win over (RV) Montana Western. Trosin was 33 of 47 passing for 502 yards and three touchdowns. It was the fifth 500-yard game in SOU history.

RMC defensive back Keenan Fagan was named Frontier Defensive Player of the Week. In Rocky Mountain’s 30-27 conference road win over then No. 11 Montana Tech, Fagan recorded seven solo tackles, one pass breakup and two interceptions.

The Rocky defense held the Orediggers under their average offensive output by half.

RMC kicker Griff Amies was named Frontier Special Teams Player of the Week.

In Rocky Mountain’s 30-27 conference road win over then No. 11 Montana Tech, he was 3 of 3 in PAT’s and was 3 for 4 in field goals.

He kicked the game-winning 45-yard field goal as time ran out, sealing the Bears’ upset win.

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Montana State University-Northern's senior Dakota Schelling, right, tackles a Carroll College running back during last Saturday's game in Havre. Schelling is part of a thin Northern defense, which has to contend with Southern Oregon on senior day. The Lights meet the Raiders Saturday at 12 p.m. at Blue Pony Stadium.

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As dependable as they come

MSU-N senior linebacker Garet Fowler got on the field early in his career, and he never left it George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

When you think of the prototype football player, that tough, gritty, gutty, hard-nosed player, the one who always seems to have mud and grass stains all over his uniform, one of the positions that best typifies that is middle linebacker. You think of that position and you automatically think – football.

The Montana State University-Northern Lights have had one of those guys for the last four seasons. He’s a throwback to the kind of linebacker, the kind of football player that you picture when thinking about the 1985 Chicago Bears, or any other legendary

defense.

And Garet Fowler is a guy who knew exactly what type of football player he wanted to be the minute he stepped onto Northern’s campus.

But, when Fowler was recruited by then head coach Mark Samson, out of Class A Belgrade High School, the odds of him becoming that player, at least early on, were stacked against him.

“Coach Samson told me I was going to redshirt,” Fowler, who will play his last game in Blue Pony Stadium Saturday when the Lights take on Southern Oregon, said.

“We were loaded at linebacker.”

Fowler signed with Northern anyway, and, while the Lights did have a lot of linebackers, he didn’t care. He was determined to see the field as soon as he got to MSU-N. “That motivated me honestly,” Fowler said. “I worked hard that whole summer, I wanted to come here and play right away. I wanted to start actually. Back then, we ran a 4-3 defense, and we had 17 linebackers on the room when I got here. I wasn’t even on

the depth chart at the start of fall camp. But then one day, I was third strong, and the next day I was second string, and by midseason, I was starting. I guess I just strived to earn my way onto the field.”

And once he was on the field, Fowler never left.

In eight games his freshman season, he had 20 tackles and an interception. By the next fall camp, he was entrenched in the starting lineup, and his growth as a football player accelerated even faster. In 11 games in 2015, Fowler recorded 73 stops, two sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss. By the time the season was over, he was already one of the best middle linebackers in the Frontier Conference, and he had two years still to play.

“I set high goals for myself right away,” Fowler said. “But one of the biggest things for me, was everything I learned from Coach (Arthur) Smith. He showed me so much about this position. To be good at your position, you listen to your coaches, you trust

n

And with a Griff Amies field goal, the dream of a de facto Frontier Conference championship game was gone.

Amies kicked a field goal as time expired in last Saturday’s Frontier Conference game between Rocky Mountain College and Montana Tech in Butte, The field goal lifted the Battlin’ Bears to a 30-27 road win over the Orediggers, and with it, likely ended any chance Tech had left of winning a Frontier title this season. The kick also clinched at the very least, a share of the Frontier championship for undefeated Southern Oregon.

Through four weeks of Frontier play, it looked like the Nov. 11 game between Tech and SOU was going to decide the Frontier championship this season. But then, Western stunned the Orediggers in Dillon, putting Tech behind the eight-ball. Still, had the Orediggers won out, they still

MSU-Northern Lights vs Southern Oregon Raiders Location: Havre, Mont.

Nickname: Lights Colors: Maroon and Yellow 2017 record: 0-8, 1-8

2016 record: 1-9, 1-9 Interim Head coach: Jake Eldridge Stadium: Blue Pony Stadium Streak: The Lights have lost four straight games since beating Mayville State to end September.

Saturday, November 4, 2017 Blue Pony Stadium ~ Noon Southern Oregon

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Montana State University-Northern's linebacker Garet Fowler, right, makes a tackle during a Frontier Conference game earlier this season in Havre. Fowler leads the Frontier Conference this fall with 97 tackles. He's led the Lights in tackles in each of the last three seasons as well. Fowler, a Belgrade native, will play his final home game Saturday afternoon when the Lights host Southern Oregon.

2016 record: 5-5, 5-6 Head coach: Charlie Hall

Location: Ashland, Ore.

Stadium: Raider Stadium

Nickname: Raiders

Streak: The Raiders have won six straight times at Blue Pony Stadium, dating back even to the days when they weren't in the Frontier.

Colors: Red and White 2017 record: 8-0, 8-0

November 3, 2017

11

Raiders have Frontier title in the bag George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

See Fowler Page 6

Montana State University-Northern

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would have had a chance to play for the title when SOU came calling on the last game of the season.

Now though, that hope is likely over. Even if Tech goes on the road and beats C o l l e ge o f I d a h o t h i s Saturday, which is no easy bargain, the Diggers would need MSU-Northern to upset SOU this Saturday in Havre. And while the Lights will try their best, that upset appears unlikely given the way each team has been trending.

Certainly, the game in Butte between the Raiders and Orediggers has lost a lot of its luster now. Tech won’t be nearly as highly ranked when SOU gets to Alumni Coliseum, and the Frontier title will likely have been decided.

No, instead, Tech, will be fighting for its

p l ayo f f l i ve s – i f t h e Orediggers get past C of I. If they don’t win that game, the playoffs will be gone before the Raiders even arrive in Butte. But, if the Orediggers beat the Yotes, then, the game against the Raiders will still be significant in that, i f Te c h w i n s , t h e Orediggers will likely still be in the playoffs at 8-2.

And lastly, in all this, don’t lose sight of the fact that it’s all because of Rocky. Give the Battlin’ Bears credit. They almost b e a t Te c h b a c k i n September, and then did last week, on Tech’s home field. Rocky has put together an outstanding season, and if not for a season-opening slip-up at Dickinson State, the Bears would be fighting for their playoff lives with two

Today in the Frontier Conference

Southern Oregon is now the Frontier champion for the third time in the last five seasons. And this time around, the Raiders have done so with two things that might be different than in the past.

First, SOU has marched through the new season with a new head coach, and a heavy heart. The program lost beloved head coach Craig Howard late last year, and Howard’s successor was much like him, a local coach who moved up from the high school ranks to take over SOU’s program. Before being hired at SOU, Hall had coached at Ashland High since 2005. Hall, who played at SOU, did have plenty of college experience though. He was a grad assistant at SOU, while also coaching at NCAA Division I University of Washington,

n

See Notebook Page 12

2017 Frontier Conference Preseason Coaches Poll 1. Montana Tech; 2. Eastern Oregon; T3. Southern Oregon; T3. Carroll College; 5. UM-Western; T6. Rocky Mountain College; T6. College of Idaho; 8. MSU-Northern

1. Southern Oregon 2. Montana Tech 3. Rocky Mountain 4. UM-Western 5. College of Idaho 6. Carroll College 7. Eastern Oregon 8. MSU-Northern

At Montana State University-Northern Lights (0-8, 1-8)

UM-Western (4-4, 4-5) at Carroll College (3-5, 3-5) in Helena, Mont.

Flying High

Havre Daily News Frontier Conference Power Rankings

#7 Southern Oregon Raiders (8-0, 8-0)

#17 Montana Tech (6-2, 6-2 at College of Idaho (4-4, 4-5) in Caldwell, Idaho

weeks to go.

Eastern Oregon (2-6, 2-6) at Rocky Mountain (5-3, 5-4) in Billings, Mont.

Full Coverage on Twitter @HavreDaily

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MSU-Northern Rewind

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THank You MSU-Northern seniors, for everything From the Fringe...

November 3, 2017

Frontier Conference Standings

Southern Oregon Montana Tech Rocky Mountain College of Idaho UM-Western Carroll College Eastern Oregon MSU-Northern

George Ferguson Sports Editor

There is no getting around it.

When the seniors on the Montana State University-Northern Lights are finished with their careers, there will always be something missing from their careers — and that something is victories.

Yes, college football players are as competitive as they come, and, ask anyone who takes the field, the W is the thing their after the most.

Over the course of the Northern senior's careers, the W hasn't come often. That's just the harsh reality of where the program is at right now and where it's been in recent years.

But, for the Northern seniors who will play their final home game of their careers this Saturday, they have taught anyone who is paying attention, many valuable lessons — and they are lessons they can carry on with for the rest of their lives.

Whether they were here for four and five years, or here for just one, this group of seniors has done something that, in my humble opinion, is just as admirable as winning — they didn't quit.

Another reality of the struggles the Northern program has gone through in recent years is turnover with the roster. So many names have come and gone, so many that didn't stick it out through the difficult times. Maybe they had their own reasons, and I'm not here to judge any of them for those reasons.

No, that's not the point.

The point is, I'm here to make sure every one of the Northern seniors who takes the field for senior day Saturday, whether they play or whether they are injured, know that I appreciate what they've given to this program, to this school and this community.

Many of you seniors I've had the privilege of getting to know, some of you haven't. But, whether I know you, have interviewed you, or even if we've never met, know this, I've watched you. I've watched you fight and scrap and claw and lead, and sweat and battle through a college football career filled with so many obstacles, so many hurdles, and so many road blocks.

And I for one am damn impressed.

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Conf.

WL 8-0 6-2 5-3 4-4 4-4 3-5 2-6 0-8

Overall WL 8-0 6-2 5-4 4-5 4-5 3-5 2-6 1-8

Last Week Carroll College 59, MSU-Northern 7 Rocky Mountain 30, Montana Tech 27 Southern Oregon 44, UM-Western 19 College of Idaho 38, Eastern Oregon 20 Saturday, Nov. 4 MSU-Northern vs Southern Oregon Montana Tech at College of Idaho Eastern Oregon at Rocky Mountain UM-Western at Carroll College

NAIA Coaches Poll

Rec. Pts. 1. Saint Francis (Ind.) 8-0 340 2. Baker (Kan.) 8-0 327 3. Reinhardt (Ga.) 6-0 312 4. Morningside (Iowa) 8-0 303 5. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)7-0 286 6. Grand View (Iowa) 7-1 272 7. Southern Oregon 7-0 265 8. Langston (Okla.) 7-0 237 9. Georgetown (Ky.) 6-0 235 10. Saint Xavier (Ill.) 6-1 223 11. Montana Tech 6-1 218 12. Benedictine (Kan.) 7-1 201

Prv. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13. Southeastern (Fla.) 6-1 14. Northwestern 7-1 15. Dickinson State 6-1 16. Concordia (Mich.) 7-1 17. SAGU (Texas) 6-1 18. Sterling (Kan.) 6-2 19. Tabor (Kan.) 6-2 20. Campbellsville 6-0 21. Marian (Ind.) 4-3 22. Cumberland 6-3 23. Arizona Christian 5-3 24. Doane (Neb.) 4-3 25. Dakota State (S.D.) 6-2

Western 4; Concordia (Neb.) 4; Peru State (Neb.) 3.

Frontier Conference Individual Leaders Week Nine

Passing: Tanner Trosin, SOU, 361 ypg Receiving: Bronsen Ader, SOU, 117 ypg Receptions: Dion Williams, MT, 8 cpg Rushing: Jed Fike, MT, 155 ypg Tackles: Garet Fowler, MSU-N, 97 Sacks: Sean Rogers, SOU, 9.5 sacks INT's: Keenan Fagan, RMC, 7 ints

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Donovan Garner and the Northern seniors will play their final home game this Saturday against Southern Oregon.

exemplified — honor, character, integrity, and something that seems to be lacking in the world of sports these days — loyalty.

All of you who will play these final two games for the Lights, you all embody those qualities, and you have set an example that is very hard to teach these days, and even harder to follow — you've shown exactly what it means to care about something and someone above yourselves. You've done that for your teammates and coaches, and you've done that fort Northern.

And, while this column probably isn't even gratitude enough for all that you've given of yourselves, and given to Northern football, I leave you with this — from someone who does indeed care abut MSU-N football, on a daily basis — thank you seniors.

Thank you very much.

14 15 16 17 18 t20 t20 25 13 22 23 19 NR

Others receiving votes: : Kansas Wesleyan 7; Evangel (Mo.) 6; Oklahoma Panhandle State 5; Montana

Lights Coaching Staff

I've watched guys like Garet Fowler and Kagen Khameneh play through the pain of seasons that have yielded few positive results. I've watched a guy like Donovan Garner come into a difficult situation and, not only make the most out of it, but make a new home for himself.

I've watched Steven Fernandez come to Northern, and in just one year's time, play like he's been here for years. I've watched Tommy Langley, week-after-week, do his job, do what he can to help the Northern program. I've seen guys like Dakota Schelling wait their turn, and when his number was finally called, embrace his chance to play.

I know I didn't mention every senior, but please know, I've watched all of you, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the things you've

179 170 157 150 129 109 104 96 85 52 36 35 25

Jim Potter The 2017 Montana State University-Northern coaching staff. From left to right: Dan Vanderpan (defensive line), Darold DeBolt (defensive line), Jake Eldridge (defensive coordinator, strength and conditioning), Rick Wells (defensive backs), Aaron Christensen (head coach, offensive coordinator), Anvil Sinsibaugh (offensive line, recruiting coordinator), Jorge Magana (linebacker, defensive line), Kevin Murphy (linebackers), Lance Marshall (wide receivers, tight ends).

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MSU-Northern Offensive Starters

Southern Oregon Defensive Starters

MSU-N 2017 Offensive Numbers

SOU 2017 Defensive Numbers

Scoring: 16 ppg, last in Frontier Total offense: 334 ypg, last in Frontier

Seth Roemelle #88, 6-0, 190 Receiver

A.J. Cooper #3, 5-9, 170 Cornerback

Passing: 196 ypg, 6th in Frontier

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MSU-Northern Defensive Starters

SOU 2017 Offensive Numbers

MSU-N 2017 Defensive Numbers

Scoring: 21 ppg, 1st in Frontier

Scoring: 52 ppg, last in Frontier

Total defense: 380 ypg, 3rd in Frontier

Total defense: 568 ypg, last in Frontier

Pass defense: 237 ypg, 3rd in Frontier

Pass defense: 253 ypg, 5th in Frontier

Scoring: 37 ppg, 2nd in Frontier

Eldridge has been a coach at Northern for 10 season, including eight as defensive coordinator.

He served as interim head coach in 2014.

He was a was a four year starter and a four year team captain for the Lights at defensive back where he garnered AllConference and Academic All-Conference honors.

Dylan Schmidt #74, 6-4, 275 Offensive line

Tommy Wilson #22, 6-1, 205 Quarterback

Dale Cummings #65, 6-2, 300 Center

Ryan Handley #73, 6-3, 265 Offensive line

Kitrell Willingham #85, 6-2, 225 Fullback

Roger Guillory #71, 5-10, 270 Offensive line

Armando Gauger #56, 6-1, 230 Defensive line

Tre Holmes #66, 6-0, 265

Defensive line

Steven Fernandez #23, 6-0, 210 Linebacker

Isiah Carter #11, 6-0, 215 Linebacker

Sam Woods #95, 5-10, 265 Defensive line

August Forrest III #51, 6-4, 230 Defensive line

Tommy Langley #27, 5-11, 190 Kicker

Marvin Williams #19, 5-10, 170 Receiver

Dequincy Bergen #21, 5-11, 200 Safety

Tyson Cooper #23, 5-10, 205 Linebacker

Josh Wright #92, 6-2, 240 Defensive end

Elijah Dennison #95, 6-2, 255 Defensive tackle GaretFowler #12, 5-10, 220 Linebacker

Devvon Gage #12, 6-2, 225 Linebacker

Oshay Dunmore #1, 6-3, 215 Safety

Passing: 361 ypg, 1st in Frontier

Cory Lee #3, 5-10, 190 Safety

JP Sullivan #72, 6-2, 290 Defensive line

Charlie Hall SOU Head Coach

Cory Foster #62, 6-3, 290 Offensive line

Christmas Aumua #52, 6-0, 285 Offensive line

Tanner Trosin #2, 6-0, 180 Quarterback

Rey Vega #28, 5-10, 205 Running back

Tyler Cox #59, 6-3, 265 Offensive line

Alec Wagner

#52, 5-11, 225 Linebacker

James Hines #72, 6-5, 310 Offensive line

Bronsen Ader

#5, 5-11, 200 Receiver

Jake Norby #31, 6-2, 200 Bandit

Dalton Yoder #44, 6-3, 250 Tight end

Kagen Khameneh #15, 6-3, 240 Tight end Sam Tapia #89, 6-0, 180 Punter

Total offense: 472 ypg, 2nd in Frontier

Dane Skriloff #77, 6-6, 285 Offensive line

Keegan Lawrence #21, 5-11, 195 Safety

Trey Blanchard #4, 5-10, 200 Running Back

Jordan Suell #5, 6-6, 200 Receiver

Jarrod Lucas #6, 5-9, 175 Cornerback

Clint Willis #75, 6-7, 300 Offensive line

Jake Eldridge MSU-N Interim Head Coach

Southern Oregon Offensive Starters

Devariej Criss #34, 5-9, 175 Corner C.J. Jones #22, 6-2, 185 Cornerback

Matt Bordeaux #8, 6-2, 180 Receiver

Marcus Montano

#99, 6-1, 205 Kicker

Charlie Hall was tapped to lead the Southern Oregon University football team following a nationwide search on March 10, 2017, becoming the 16th head coach in team history.

Hall came to SOU after being the head coach at Ashland High School. He played and was a student assistant at SOU until 1983. After that, he served as an assistant at University of Washington, University of Idaho and University of New Mexico.

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1 Oshay Dunmore 2 Tanner Trosin 3 AJ Cooper 4 Zay Taylor 5 Bronsen Ader 6 Wyatt Hutchinson 7 Michael Roots 8 Matt Boudreaux 9 Jason Shelley 10 Craig Contreras 11 Isiah Carter 12 Devvon Gage 13 Devin Benjamin 14 Nick Mitchell 15 Chase Cole 16 William Brown 17 Kashiem Poland 18 Jaylen Tregle 19 Tyler Dean 20 Louis Macklin 21 Keegan Lawrence 22 CJ Jones 23 Tyson Cooper 24 Dareion Bell 25 Austin May 28 Rey Vega 29 Luke Goins 31 Xavier Smith 32 Collin Crown 33 Kevin Blueford 34 Riley Teeters 36 Cameron Daugherty 37 Nate Kuratli 38 Aaron Washington 39 Angel Novey 40 Nick Kernaghan 42 Noah Johnson 44 Dalton Yoder 45 Stanford Toloke 46 Hugh Hanson 47 Josh Cline 48 Jeret Musser 50 Masi Tunoa 51 August Forrest III 52 Christmas Aumua 53 Connor Maloney 54 Tyler Coates 55 Sean Rogers 56 Armando Gauger 59 Tyler Cox 62 Cory Foster 65 Mitch Malot 66 Tre Holmes 67 Mikie Prefling 69 Nate Lampert 70 Joshua Middleton 71 Scott Robinson 72 James Hines 73 Ray Maready 74 Will Hutson 75 Terry Dodd 77 Dane Skriloff 80 Dominic Giampaoli 81 Jordan Suell 83 Caden Johnson 84 Parker Randle 85 Ricky Te'o 86 Isaac Hurd 87 Christian Graney 89 Ben Bachman 90 Josiah Maglente-Tonu 91 James Porter 93 Calvin Watwood

Pos.

DB QB DB DB WR QB RB WR WR QB LB LB WR LB WR DB DL QB DB RB DB DB LB DB RB RB DB LB LB LB LB DB DB DB LB LB DL TE LB TE DL DB OL DL OL OL OL DL DL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR WR WR WR TE DL DL DL

Ht.

6-3 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-0 5-8 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-2 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 5-10 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-5 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-6 6-2 6-6 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-3

Wt. 215 180 170 175 200 190 200 180 170 215 215 225 185 205 160 175 215 215 205 180 195 185 205 185 195 205 180 200 210 210 220 200 185 190 210 235 190 250 200 225 250 180 270 230 285 250 290 230 230 265 290 275 265 265 280 315 285 310 300 295 260 285 195 200 200 195 210 195 170 225 265 275 250

Yr.

R-Sr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Sr. So. R-So. Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. R-Sr. Sr. R-So. Jr. Jr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. R-Fr. R-So. Fr. R-So. Fr. Sr. R-Fr. R-Jr. R-So. Sr. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. R-Sr. R-So. R-Sr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. R-Fr.

Hometown

Newport, Ore. Newport Illinois State Folsom, Calif. Folsom North Las Vegas, Nev. Sacramento, Calif.

U. of Idaho Mililani, Hawaii Mililani Centennial, Ore. Clackamas Sacramento, Calif. San Jose State U. New Orleans, La. Fairfield, Calif. Benicia Medford, Ore. Las Vegas, Nev. Canyon Springs Salem, Ore. Sprague San Francisco, Calif.

North Bend, Wash.

Portland, Ore. Central Catholic Sacramento, Calif.

Natomas Frankford, Pa. Vallejo, Calif. Salesian Prep Inglewood, Calif. Inderkum Chaffey C.C. Elk Grove, Calif. Sacramento Sherwood, Ore. Sherwood North Las Vegas, Nev. Gresham, Ore. Central Catholic San Diego, Calif.

Waianae, Hawaii Modesto, Calif.

El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Portland, Ore. Reynolds Reno, Nev. McQueen Sacramento, Calif.

Inderkum Seattle, Wash. Shorewood Reno, Nev. Reno Vancouver, Wash.

Union Portland, Ore. Sacramento, Calif.

Grant Union Ewa Beach, Hawaii Carson, Calif. Cathedral Lincoln U. Toledo, Wash. Toledo Portland, Ore. David Douglas Auburn, Calif. Placer Auburn, Wash.

Grants Pass, Ore. Grants Pass Kapolei, Hawaii Kapolei De Anza C.C. Las Vegas, Nev. Shadow Ridge Seattle, Wash.

West Linn, Ore. West Linn Salem, Ore. South Salem Portland, Ore. Central Catholic Atwater, Calif. Atwater Portland, Ore. Molalla, Ore. Molalla Siskiyous C.C. Central Point, Ore. Medford, Ore. North Medford Camanche, Calif. Saint Mary's Portland, Ore. David Douglas El Dorado, Calif. Union Mine Yreka, Calif.

Yreka Oakland, Calif. Armijo Redding, Calif. Foothill Shasta C.C. Central Point, Ore. Crater Las Vegas, Nev. Cheyenne Poway, Calif.

Poway Rocklin, Calif. Rocklin Vancouver, Wash.

Ceres, Calif.

Ceres Battle Ground, Wash.

Battle Ground East Palo Alto, Calif.

Ewa Beach, Hawaii Campbell Sanger, Calif. Sanger Gresham, Ore. Gresham Waikapu, Hawaii Tualatin, Ore. Tualatin Brookings, Ore. Brookings-Harbor

# Name

Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

Yr.

Hometown

95 Sam Woods

DL

5-10

265

R-Sr.

Rocklin, Calif.

96 John Moestopo

DL

6-0

260

R-Fr.

El Dorado Hills, Calif.

98 Jaxon Clark

P/K

5-8

165

So.

Grants Pass, Ore.

99 Marcus Montano

K

6-1

205

Jr.

Manteca, Calif. Manteca

5

MSU-Northern Numerical Roster

Southern Oregon Numerical Roster # Name

November 3, 2017

No. Oak Ridge

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 44 45 47 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 65 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 78 79 80 81 83 84 85

Name

Yr. Pos. Ht.

Donovan Garner Jett Robertson Corey Lee Trey Blanchard Bryce Missey Jarrod Lucas BJ Peters Morgan McCrary Sam Mix Dylan Cook Jess Krahn Garet Fowler Caymus Thomas Bryce Bumgardner Kagen Khameneh Andrew Morgan Jase McCammond Marvin Williams Christian Williams Dequincy Bergen Tommy Wilson Steven Fernandez Basie Destefanis Dylan Kelley Wylie Novak Tommy Langley Connor Crawford Sam Tapia Bob Schenk Jake Norby Sam Edwards Brooks Dunn Devariej Criss Dakota Schelling Jace Koester Cody Lucke Colt Pederson Adrian Leos Kenneth Pruttis Peter Hamilton Kingston Sua Wyatt McKinlay Jake French Jaren Maki Ian Sparrow Elijah Cox Alec Wagner Brandon Moes Aaron Dolfay Mitchell Harmon Trenton Woodward Gerlad Brascome Joe Fehr Tyler Pallas Dale Cummings Robert Johnson Roger Guillory James Sullivan Ryan Handley Dylan Schmidt Clint Willis Skylor Africa Barnes Jaxon Simonson Duntreal Moss Jake Horner Darius Hatcher Beau Wilhelm Fotios Jordanoglou Kitrell Willingham

Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So.

WR RB DB RB QB DB RB DB WR QB TE LB WR WR TE LB DB WR DB DB QB LB DB DB DB K RB P LB LB LB LB DB LB RB LB LB LB TE LB TE TE LB LB DL OL LB OL LB DL OL OL DL LB OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR TE

5-8 6-0 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-1 6-6 6-4 5-10 5-10 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-0 5-10 5-9 6-0 5-7 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-5 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-7 6-1 6-3 6-5 5-9 5-9 6-0 5-10 6-1

Wt. Hometown

180 200 190 200 200 175 195 190 190 290 230 225 165 185 240 235 170 170 190 200 205 210 195 175 175 190 190 180 225 200 210 190 175 185 180 205 200 195 210 225 210 205 215 220 230 280 225 240 240 245 275 280 205 210 300 250 270 290 265 275 300 300 280 305 160 165 200 180 225

Miami, Florida Glendale, Arizona Moorpark, California Bloomington, Minn.

Spanaway, Washi.

Hayward, California Rio Vista, California Las Vegas, Nevada Sammamish, Wash.

Butte, Montana Hockinson, Wash.

Belgrade, Montana Spokane, Washington Saint Helens, Oregon Missoula, Montana Waianae, Hawaii Spokane Valley, Wash.

Puyallup, Washington Spokane Valley, Wa. Houston, Texas Fresno, California Apopka, Florida Fresno, California Mesa, Arizona Cut Bank, Montana Tracy, California Missoula, Montana Carlsbad, California Missoula, Montana Chinook, Montana Duarte, California Chandler, Arizona Tacoma, Washington Fallon, Nevada Queen Creek, Arizona Browning, Montana Shelby, Montana Casa Grande, Arizona Chinook, Montana Cut Bank, Montana Federal Way, Wash.

Geraldine, Montana Choteau, Montana Belt, Montana Mesa, Arizona Glendale, Arizona Laurel, Montana Great Falls, Montana Portland, Oregon Rancho, California Three Forks, Montana Eureka, Montana Eureka, Montana Chehalis, Washington Cremona, Alberta Stevensville, Montana Kalispell, Montana Burlington, Washington Missoula, Montana Nine Mile Falls, MT. Gardiner, Montana Banks, Oregon Rudyard, Montana Kalispell, Montana Great Falls, Montana Parkland, Washington White Lake, Michigan Ripon, California Parkland, Washington

No. 88 89 90 91 92 95 98

Name

Yr. Pos. Ht.

Seth Roemmelle Jordan Pugh Connor Coyne Connor Koker Josh Wright Elijah Dennison Ronnie Chavez

Redshirts Xavier Alefaio Chase Alexander Colten Bonny Kody Bowman Chase Garcia Chase Gilbert RJ Henry Joehnis Joyce Justin King Chasen Kipp Koby McCallum Colton Michaels Lucas Olson Justin Pfeifer Chase Storey Ostin Welch

Jr. So. Fr. Fr. So. So. Fr.

Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.

Wt. Hometown

WR TE DL LB DL DL DL

6-0 6-5 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-2

190 230 255 215 240 255 245

Claresholm, Alberta Tacoma, Washington Virginia City, Nevada Spokane, Washington Sammamish, Wash.

Enumclaw, Washington Missoula, Montana

WR DL DL OL RB LB WR WR OL WR DB OL DL DL LB DB

6-2 6-2 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-6 5-10 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-0 5-11 6-2

200 265 265 250 185 200 180 190 290 180 180 220 220 275 190 175

Parkland, Wash.

Seattle, Wash.

Columbia Falls, MT Chandler, Arizona Valencia, Calif.

Green Acres, Wash.

Fairbanks, Alaska Tacoma, Wash.

Fromberg, MT. Heart Butte, MT. Salem, Oregon Prosser, Wash.

Eatonville, Wash.

Cut Bank, MT. Roy, Utah Malta, MT.

2017 Montana State University-Northern Football Staff Jake Eldridge, defensive coordinator, strength & conditioning; Anvil Sinisibaugh offensive line, recruiting coordinator; Jorge Magana, linebackers; Kevin Murphy, linebackers; Dane Vanderpan, defensive line; Lance Marshall, wide receivers; Darold DeBolt, defensive line; Rick Wells, defensive backs.

Athletic Director: Christian Oberquell; Certified Athletic Trainer: Nichole Borst; Sports Information: Kristie Pulin.

6

November 3, 2017

www.havredailynews.com

November 3, 2017

Fowler: MSU-N linebacker has been racking up numbers for years

Fowler: LB Garet Fowler is one of the best players in the Frontier

■ From Page 2

■ From Page 6

the process, and then you also put in the extra work on your own. That’s what I’ve always done.”

That formula has worked for Fowler. By the end of his junior season, he had recorded 94 tackles, including 56 solo stops. He finished the season second in the Frontier Conference in tackles, and added another interception and five TFL’s to his resume, in a season that without a doubt should have earned him an All-Conference nod.

But, during his sophomore and junior seasons, Fowler didn’t just become one of the best defensive players in the league, something else came his way as well – leadership. Even as a sophomore, Fowler was already looked at as a veteran leader on a young Northern defense, and, just like him never leaving the starting lineup, he’s been one of Northern’s biggest team leaders ever since, including being named a captain for the last two seasons.

“When I moved to that Mike linebacker position my sophomore year, that’s always been the position where you’re kind of the captain of the defense,” Fowler said.

“So even though I was playing with a lot of older guys, I knew I had to step up and into that leadership role. I’m

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Montana State University-Northern senior Garet Fowler intended to star for the Lights right out of high school. And midway through his freshman season, he was doing just that. Since that season, Fowler has been one of the most consistent linebackers in the Frontier Conference, and one of the league's leading tacklers. Fowler has also appeared in 38 games in a career that has seen him rack up nearly 300 tackles.

www.havredailynews.com

not the most vocal leader. I’ll say what needs to be said, but I’ve just always tried to lead by example.”

And the example he’s set is two-fold.

First, Fowler is simply one of the best defensive players in the conference, regardless of position. Through nine games in his final season, he’s recorded 97 tackles, already surpassing last year’s total. He also five more TFL’s and two picks. With two games to go, he’s leading the Frontier in tackles by a wide margin, and while Northern’s defense has struggled mightily this season, ask any opposing coach in the league, and they’ll tell you, they game plan for No. 12 in maroon.

The second way Fowler has led by example is, simply, the fact that he’s a Light. In his four years at Northern, he’s seen just five wins, and been on the receiving end of some brutal losses. He’s also played through four different coaching moves along the way. And yet, he’s not only still at MSU-N, he’s one of the unquestioned leaders of a

n

Lights’ program that is trying to find its way out of the darkness and into brighter days ahead.

“The biggest thing for me is my family, my last name” Fowler said on why he’s stayed at Northern through all of the difficult times. “I want to make them proud. I do it for them. I want to show them how proud I am of my last name.”

With all that Fowler’s been through, and with all of his great play on the field, 284 career tackles, there’s no question his family is beaming with pride. And while from a team and results standpoint, Fowler is one of so many Lights who haven’t seen the brightest side of col-

7

lege football, he insists, ahead of his last eight quarters of college football, he has no regrets.

And it’s easy to see why. When you’re a guy like Garet Fowler, when you have given the game of football, your team and your school everything you’ve got, as he’s done for 38 games now, then, no matter what the scoreboard says, there’s no reason to ever have regret.

“I am proud of what I’ve done here,” Fowler said. “I know what I’ve put into it. I’ve put in a lot of hard work for this program. I’ve given what I could of myself. So, I don’t have any regrets because of the work I’ve put in.”

See Fowler Page 7

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Not only is Northern senior linebacker Garet Fowler one of the top defensive players in the Frontier Conference, but, even early on in his career, he's been a leader of the Lights' team. Fowler is a two-year captain for Northern, and he has just two games remaining in what has been a standout career. Fowler and the rest of the Northern seniors will be honored before Saturday's game against Southern Oregon.

6

November 3, 2017

www.havredailynews.com

November 3, 2017

Fowler: MSU-N linebacker has been racking up numbers for years

Fowler: LB Garet Fowler is one of the best players in the Frontier

■ From Page 2

■ From Page 6

the process, and then you also put in the extra work on your own. That’s what I’ve always done.”

That formula has worked for Fowler. By the end of his junior season, he had recorded 94 tackles, including 56 solo stops. He finished the season second in the Frontier Conference in tackles, and added another interception and five TFL’s to his resume, in a season that without a doubt should have earned him an All-Conference nod.

But, during his sophomore and junior seasons, Fowler didn’t just become one of the best defensive players in the league, something else came his way as well – leadership. Even as a sophomore, Fowler was already looked at as a veteran leader on a young Northern defense, and, just like him never leaving the starting lineup, he’s been one of Northern’s biggest team leaders ever since, including being named a captain for the last two seasons.

“When I moved to that Mike linebacker position my sophomore year, that’s always been the position where you’re kind of the captain of the defense,” Fowler said.

“So even though I was playing with a lot of older guys, I knew I had to step up and into that leadership role. I’m

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Montana State University-Northern senior Garet Fowler intended to star for the Lights right out of high school. And midway through his freshman season, he was doing just that. Since that season, Fowler has been one of the most consistent linebackers in the Frontier Conference, and one of the league's leading tacklers. Fowler has also appeared in 38 games in a career that has seen him rack up nearly 300 tackles.

www.havredailynews.com

not the most vocal leader. I’ll say what needs to be said, but I’ve just always tried to lead by example.”

And the example he’s set is two-fold.

First, Fowler is simply one of the best defensive players in the conference, regardless of position. Through nine games in his final season, he’s recorded 97 tackles, already surpassing last year’s total. He also five more TFL’s and two picks. With two games to go, he’s leading the Frontier in tackles by a wide margin, and while Northern’s defense has struggled mightily this season, ask any opposing coach in the league, and they’ll tell you, they game plan for No. 12 in maroon.

The second way Fowler has led by example is, simply, the fact that he’s a Light. In his four years at Northern, he’s seen just five wins, and been on the receiving end of some brutal losses. He’s also played through four different coaching moves along the way. And yet, he’s not only still at MSU-N, he’s one of the unquestioned leaders of a

n

Lights’ program that is trying to find its way out of the darkness and into brighter days ahead.

“The biggest thing for me is my family, my last name” Fowler said on why he’s stayed at Northern through all of the difficult times. “I want to make them proud. I do it for them. I want to show them how proud I am of my last name.”

With all that Fowler’s been through, and with all of his great play on the field, 284 career tackles, there’s no question his family is beaming with pride. And while from a team and results standpoint, Fowler is one of so many Lights who haven’t seen the brightest side of col-

7

lege football, he insists, ahead of his last eight quarters of college football, he has no regrets.

And it’s easy to see why. When you’re a guy like Garet Fowler, when you have given the game of football, your team and your school everything you’ve got, as he’s done for 38 games now, then, no matter what the scoreboard says, there’s no reason to ever have regret.

“I am proud of what I’ve done here,” Fowler said. “I know what I’ve put into it. I’ve put in a lot of hard work for this program. I’ve given what I could of myself. So, I don’t have any regrets because of the work I’ve put in.”

See Fowler Page 7

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Not only is Northern senior linebacker Garet Fowler one of the top defensive players in the Frontier Conference, but, even early on in his career, he's been a leader of the Lights' team. Fowler is a two-year captain for Northern, and he has just two games remaining in what has been a standout career. Fowler and the rest of the Northern seniors will be honored before Saturday's game against Southern Oregon.

8

November 3, 2017

www.havredailynews.com

www.havredailynews.com

1 Oshay Dunmore 2 Tanner Trosin 3 AJ Cooper 4 Zay Taylor 5 Bronsen Ader 6 Wyatt Hutchinson 7 Michael Roots 8 Matt Boudreaux 9 Jason Shelley 10 Craig Contreras 11 Isiah Carter 12 Devvon Gage 13 Devin Benjamin 14 Nick Mitchell 15 Chase Cole 16 William Brown 17 Kashiem Poland 18 Jaylen Tregle 19 Tyler Dean 20 Louis Macklin 21 Keegan Lawrence 22 CJ Jones 23 Tyson Cooper 24 Dareion Bell 25 Austin May 28 Rey Vega 29 Luke Goins 31 Xavier Smith 32 Collin Crown 33 Kevin Blueford 34 Riley Teeters 36 Cameron Daugherty 37 Nate Kuratli 38 Aaron Washington 39 Angel Novey 40 Nick Kernaghan 42 Noah Johnson 44 Dalton Yoder 45 Stanford Toloke 46 Hugh Hanson 47 Josh Cline 48 Jeret Musser 50 Masi Tunoa 51 August Forrest III 52 Christmas Aumua 53 Connor Maloney 54 Tyler Coates 55 Sean Rogers 56 Armando Gauger 59 Tyler Cox 62 Cory Foster 65 Mitch Malot 66 Tre Holmes 67 Mikie Prefling 69 Nate Lampert 70 Joshua Middleton 71 Scott Robinson 72 James Hines 73 Ray Maready 74 Will Hutson 75 Terry Dodd 77 Dane Skriloff 80 Dominic Giampaoli 81 Jordan Suell 83 Caden Johnson 84 Parker Randle 85 Ricky Te'o 86 Isaac Hurd 87 Christian Graney 89 Ben Bachman 90 Josiah Maglente-Tonu 91 James Porter 93 Calvin Watwood

Pos.

DB QB DB DB WR QB RB WR WR QB LB LB WR LB WR DB DL QB DB RB DB DB LB DB RB RB DB LB LB LB LB DB DB DB LB LB DL TE LB TE DL DB OL DL OL OL OL DL DL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR WR WR WR TE DL DL DL

Ht.

6-3 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-0 5-8 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-2 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 5-10 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-5 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-6 6-2 6-6 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-3

Wt. 215 180 170 175 200 190 200 180 170 215 215 225 185 205 160 175 215 215 205 180 195 185 205 185 195 205 180 200 210 210 220 200 185 190 210 235 190 250 200 225 250 180 270 230 285 250 290 230 230 265 290 275 265 265 280 315 285 310 300 295 260 285 195 200 200 195 210 195 170 225 265 275 250

Yr.

R-Sr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Sr. So. R-So. Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. R-Sr. Sr. R-So. Jr. Jr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. R-Fr. R-So. Fr. R-So. Fr. Sr. R-Fr. R-Jr. R-So. Sr. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. R-Sr. R-So. R-Sr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. R-Fr.

Hometown

Newport, Ore. Newport Illinois State Folsom, Calif. Folsom North Las Vegas, Nev. Sacramento, Calif.

U. of Idaho Mililani, Hawaii Mililani Centennial, Ore. Clackamas Sacramento, Calif. San Jose State U. New Orleans, La. Fairfield, Calif. Benicia Medford, Ore. Las Vegas, Nev. Canyon Springs Salem, Ore. Sprague San Francisco, Calif.

North Bend, Wash.

Portland, Ore. Central Catholic Sacramento, Calif.

Natomas Frankford, Pa. Vallejo, Calif. Salesian Prep Inglewood, Calif. Inderkum Chaffey C.C. Elk Grove, Calif. Sacramento Sherwood, Ore. Sherwood North Las Vegas, Nev. Gresham, Ore. Central Catholic San Diego, Calif.

Waianae, Hawaii Modesto, Calif.

El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Portland, Ore. Reynolds Reno, Nev. McQueen Sacramento, Calif.

Inderkum Seattle, Wash. Shorewood Reno, Nev. Reno Vancouver, Wash.

Union Portland, Ore. Sacramento, Calif.

Grant Union Ewa Beach, Hawaii Carson, Calif. Cathedral Lincoln U. Toledo, Wash. Toledo Portland, Ore. David Douglas Auburn, Calif. Placer Auburn, Wash.

Grants Pass, Ore. Grants Pass Kapolei, Hawaii Kapolei De Anza C.C. Las Vegas, Nev. Shadow Ridge Seattle, Wash.

West Linn, Ore. West Linn Salem, Ore. South Salem Portland, Ore. Central Catholic Atwater, Calif. Atwater Portland, Ore. Molalla, Ore. Molalla Siskiyous C.C. Central Point, Ore. Medford, Ore. North Medford Camanche, Calif. Saint Mary's Portland, Ore. David Douglas El Dorado, Calif. Union Mine Yreka, Calif.

Yreka Oakland, Calif. Armijo Redding, Calif. Foothill Shasta C.C. Central Point, Ore. Crater Las Vegas, Nev. Cheyenne Poway, Calif.

Poway Rocklin, Calif. Rocklin Vancouver, Wash.

Ceres, Calif.

Ceres Battle Ground, Wash.

Battle Ground East Palo Alto, Calif.

Ewa Beach, Hawaii Campbell Sanger, Calif. Sanger Gresham, Ore. Gresham Waikapu, Hawaii Tualatin, Ore. Tualatin Brookings, Ore. Brookings-Harbor

# Name

Pos.

Ht.

Wt.

Yr.

Hometown

95 Sam Woods

DL

5-10

265

R-Sr.

Rocklin, Calif.

96 John Moestopo

DL

6-0

260

R-Fr.

El Dorado Hills, Calif.

98 Jaxon Clark

P/K

5-8

165

So.

Grants Pass, Ore.

99 Marcus Montano

K

6-1

205

Jr.

Manteca, Calif. Manteca

5

MSU-Northern Numerical Roster

Southern Oregon Numerical Roster # Name

November 3, 2017

No. Oak Ridge

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 44 45 47 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 65 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 78 79 80 81 83 84 85

Name

Yr. Pos. Ht.

Donovan Garner Jett Robertson Corey Lee Trey Blanchard Bryce Missey Jarrod Lucas BJ Peters Morgan McCrary Sam Mix Dylan Cook Jess Krahn Garet Fowler Caymus Thomas Bryce Bumgardner Kagen Khameneh Andrew Morgan Jase McCammond Marvin Williams Christian Williams Dequincy Bergen Tommy Wilson Steven Fernandez Basie Destefanis Dylan Kelley Wylie Novak Tommy Langley Connor Crawford Sam Tapia Bob Schenk Jake Norby Sam Edwards Brooks Dunn Devariej Criss Dakota Schelling Jace Koester Cody Lucke Colt Pederson Adrian Leos Kenneth Pruttis Peter Hamilton Kingston Sua Wyatt McKinlay Jake French Jaren Maki Ian Sparrow Elijah Cox Alec Wagner Brandon Moes Aaron Dolfay Mitchell Harmon Trenton Woodward Gerlad Brascome Joe Fehr Tyler Pallas Dale Cummings Robert Johnson Roger Guillory James Sullivan Ryan Handley Dylan Schmidt Clint Willis Skylor Africa Barnes Jaxon Simonson Duntreal Moss Jake Horner Darius Hatcher Beau Wilhelm Fotios Jordanoglou Kitrell Willingham

Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So.

WR RB DB RB QB DB RB DB WR QB TE LB WR WR TE LB DB WR DB DB QB LB DB DB DB K RB P LB LB LB LB DB LB RB LB LB LB TE LB TE TE LB LB DL OL LB OL LB DL OL OL DL LB OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR TE

5-8 6-0 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-1 6-6 6-4 5-10 5-10 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-0 5-10 5-9 6-0 5-7 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-5 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-7 6-1 6-3 6-5 5-9 5-9 6-0 5-10 6-1

Wt. Hometown

180 200 190 200 200 175 195 190 190 290 230 225 165 185 240 235 170 170 190 200 205 210 195 175 175 190 190 180 225 200 210 190 175 185 180 205 200 195 210 225 210 205 215 220 230 280 225 240 240 245 275 280 205 210 300 250 270 290 265 275 300 300 280 305 160 165 200 180 225

Miami, Florida Glendale, Arizona Moorpark, California Bloomington, Minn.

Spanaway, Washi.

Hayward, California Rio Vista, California Las Vegas, Nevada Sammamish, Wash.

Butte, Montana Hockinson, Wash.

Belgrade, Montana Spokane, Washington Saint Helens, Oregon Missoula, Montana Waianae, Hawaii Spokane Valley, Wash.

Puyallup, Washington Spokane Valley, Wa. Houston, Texas Fresno, California Apopka, Florida Fresno, California Mesa, Arizona Cut Bank, Montana Tracy, California Missoula, Montana Carlsbad, California Missoula, Montana Chinook, Montana Duarte, California Chandler, Arizona Tacoma, Washington Fallon, Nevada Queen Creek, Arizona Browning, Montana Shelby, Montana Casa Grande, Arizona Chinook, Montana Cut Bank, Montana Federal Way, Wash.

Geraldine, Montana Choteau, Montana Belt, Montana Mesa, Arizona Glendale, Arizona Laurel, Montana Great Falls, Montana Portland, Oregon Rancho, California Three Forks, Montana Eureka, Montana Eureka, Montana Chehalis, Washington Cremona, Alberta Stevensville, Montana Kalispell, Montana Burlington, Washington Missoula, Montana Nine Mile Falls, MT. Gardiner, Montana Banks, Oregon Rudyard, Montana Kalispell, Montana Great Falls, Montana Parkland, Washington White Lake, Michigan Ripon, California Parkland, Washington

No. 88 89 90 91 92 95 98

Name

Yr. Pos. Ht.

Seth Roemmelle Jordan Pugh Connor Coyne Connor Koker Josh Wright Elijah Dennison Ronnie Chavez

Redshirts Xavier Alefaio Chase Alexander Colten Bonny Kody Bowman Chase Garcia Chase Gilbert RJ Henry Joehnis Joyce Justin King Chasen Kipp Koby McCallum Colton Michaels Lucas Olson Justin Pfeifer Chase Storey Ostin Welch

Jr. So. Fr. Fr. So. So. Fr.

Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.

Wt. Hometown

WR TE DL LB DL DL DL

6-0 6-5 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-2

190 230 255 215 240 255 245

Claresholm, Alberta Tacoma, Washington Virginia City, Nevada Spokane, Washington Sammamish, Wash.

Enumclaw, Washington Missoula, Montana

WR DL DL OL RB LB WR WR OL WR DB OL DL DL LB DB

6-2 6-2 6-1 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-6 5-10 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-0 5-11 6-2

200 265 265 250 185 200 180 190 290 180 180 220 220 275 190 175

Parkland, Wash.

Seattle, Wash.

Columbia Falls, MT Chandler, Arizona Valencia, Calif.

Green Acres, Wash.

Fairbanks, Alaska Tacoma, Wash.

Fromberg, MT. Heart Butte, MT. Salem, Oregon Prosser, Wash.

Eatonville, Wash.

Cut Bank, MT. Roy, Utah Malta, MT.

2017 Montana State University-Northern Football Staff Jake Eldridge, defensive coordinator, strength & conditioning; Anvil Sinisibaugh offensive line, recruiting coordinator; Jorge Magana, linebackers; Kevin Murphy, linebackers; Dane Vanderpan, defensive line; Lance Marshall, wide receivers; Darold DeBolt, defensive line; Rick Wells, defensive backs.

Athletic Director: Christian Oberquell; Certified Athletic Trainer: Nichole Borst; Sports Information: Kristie Pulin.

4

November 3, 2017

www.havredailynews.com

MSU-Northern Offensive Starters

Southern Oregon Defensive Starters

MSU-N 2017 Offensive Numbers

SOU 2017 Defensive Numbers

Scoring: 16 ppg, last in Frontier Total offense: 334 ypg, last in Frontier

Seth Roemelle #88, 6-0, 190 Receiver

A.J. Cooper #3, 5-9, 170 Cornerback

Passing: 196 ypg, 6th in Frontier

www.havredailynews.com

November 3, 2017

MSU-Northern Defensive Starters

SOU 2017 Offensive Numbers

MSU-N 2017 Defensive Numbers

Scoring: 21 ppg, 1st in Frontier

Scoring: 52 ppg, last in Frontier

Total defense: 380 ypg, 3rd in Frontier

Total defense: 568 ypg, last in Frontier

Pass defense: 237 ypg, 3rd in Frontier

Pass defense: 253 ypg, 5th in Frontier

Scoring: 37 ppg, 2nd in Frontier

Eldridge has been a coach at Northern for 10 season, including eight as defensive coordinator.

He served as interim head coach in 2014.

He was a was a four year starter and a four year team captain for the Lights at defensive back where he garnered AllConference and Academic All-Conference honors.

Dylan Schmidt #74, 6-4, 275 Offensive line

Tommy Wilson #22, 6-1, 205 Quarterback

Dale Cummings #65, 6-2, 300 Center

Ryan Handley #73, 6-3, 265 Offensive line

Kitrell Willingham #85, 6-2, 225 Fullback

Roger Guillory #71, 5-10, 270 Offensive line

Armando Gauger #56, 6-1, 230 Defensive line

Tre Holmes #66, 6-0, 265

Defensive line

Steven Fernandez #23, 6-0, 210 Linebacker

Isiah Carter #11, 6-0, 215 Linebacker

Sam Woods #95, 5-10, 265 Defensive line

August Forrest III #51, 6-4, 230 Defensive line

Tommy Langley #27, 5-11, 190 Kicker

Marvin Williams #19, 5-10, 170 Receiver

Dequincy Bergen #21, 5-11, 200 Safety

Tyson Cooper #23, 5-10, 205 Linebacker

Josh Wright #92, 6-2, 240 Defensive end

Elijah Dennison #95, 6-2, 255 Defensive tackle GaretFowler #12, 5-10, 220 Linebacker

Devvon Gage #12, 6-2, 225 Linebacker

Oshay Dunmore #1, 6-3, 215 Safety

Passing: 361 ypg, 1st in Frontier

Cory Lee #3, 5-10, 190 Safety

JP Sullivan #72, 6-2, 290 Defensive line

Charlie Hall SOU Head Coach

Cory Foster #62, 6-3, 290 Offensive line

Christmas Aumua #52, 6-0, 285 Offensive line

Tanner Trosin #2, 6-0, 180 Quarterback

Rey Vega #28, 5-10, 205 Running back

Tyler Cox #59, 6-3, 265 Offensive line

Alec Wagner

#52, 5-11, 225 Linebacker

James Hines #72, 6-5, 310 Offensive line

Bronsen Ader

#5, 5-11, 200 Receiver

Jake Norby #31, 6-2, 200 Bandit

Dalton Yoder #44, 6-3, 250 Tight end

Kagen Khameneh #15, 6-3, 240 Tight end Sam Tapia #89, 6-0, 180 Punter

Total offense: 472 ypg, 2nd in Frontier

Dane Skriloff #77, 6-6, 285 Offensive line

Keegan Lawrence #21, 5-11, 195 Safety

Trey Blanchard #4, 5-10, 200 Running Back

Jordan Suell #5, 6-6, 200 Receiver

Jarrod Lucas #6, 5-9, 175 Cornerback

Clint Willis #75, 6-7, 300 Offensive line

Jake Eldridge MSU-N Interim Head Coach

Southern Oregon Offensive Starters

Devariej Criss #34, 5-9, 175 Corner C.J. Jones #22, 6-2, 185 Cornerback

Matt Bordeaux #8, 6-2, 180 Receiver

Marcus Montano

#99, 6-1, 205 Kicker

Charlie Hall was tapped to lead the Southern Oregon University football team following a nationwide search on March 10, 2017, becoming the 16th head coach in team history.

Hall came to SOU after being the head coach at Ashland High School. He played and was a student assistant at SOU until 1983. After that, he served as an assistant at University of Washington, University of Idaho and University of New Mexico.

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MSU-Northern Rewind

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THank You MSU-Northern seniors, for everything From the Fringe...

November 3, 2017

Frontier Conference Standings

Southern Oregon Montana Tech Rocky Mountain College of Idaho UM-Western Carroll College Eastern Oregon MSU-Northern

George Ferguson Sports Editor

There is no getting around it.

When the seniors on the Montana State University-Northern Lights are finished with their careers, there will always be something missing from their careers — and that something is victories.

Yes, college football players are as competitive as they come, and, ask anyone who takes the field, the W is the thing their after the most.

Over the course of the Northern senior's careers, the W hasn't come often. That's just the harsh reality of where the program is at right now and where it's been in recent years.

But, for the Northern seniors who will play their final home game of their careers this Saturday, they have taught anyone who is paying attention, many valuable lessons — and they are lessons they can carry on with for the rest of their lives.

Whether they were here for four and five years, or here for just one, this group of seniors has done something that, in my humble opinion, is just as admirable as winning — they didn't quit.

Another reality of the struggles the Northern program has gone through in recent years is turnover with the roster. So many names have come and gone, so many that didn't stick it out through the difficult times. Maybe they had their own reasons, and I'm not here to judge any of them for those reasons.

No, that's not the point.

The point is, I'm here to make sure every one of the Northern seniors who takes the field for senior day Saturday, whether they play or whether they are injured, know that I appreciate what they've given to this program, to this school and this community.

Many of you seniors I've had the privilege of getting to know, some of you haven't. But, whether I know you, have interviewed you, or even if we've never met, know this, I've watched you. I've watched you fight and scrap and claw and lead, and sweat and battle through a college football career filled with so many obstacles, so many hurdles, and so many road blocks.

And I for one am damn impressed.

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Conf.

WL 8-0 6-2 5-3 4-4 4-4 3-5 2-6 0-8

Overall WL 8-0 6-2 5-4 4-5 4-5 3-5 2-6 1-8

Last Week Carroll College 59, MSU-Northern 7 Rocky Mountain 30, Montana Tech 27 Southern Oregon 44, UM-Western 19 College of Idaho 38, Eastern Oregon 20 Saturday, Nov. 4 MSU-Northern vs Southern Oregon Montana Tech at College of Idaho Eastern Oregon at Rocky Mountain UM-Western at Carroll College

NAIA Coaches Poll

Rec. Pts. 1. Saint Francis (Ind.) 8-0 340 2. Baker (Kan.) 8-0 327 3. Reinhardt (Ga.) 6-0 312 4. Morningside (Iowa) 8-0 303 5. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)7-0 286 6. Grand View (Iowa) 7-1 272 7. Southern Oregon 7-0 265 8. Langston (Okla.) 7-0 237 9. Georgetown (Ky.) 6-0 235 10. Saint Xavier (Ill.) 6-1 223 11. Montana Tech 6-1 218 12. Benedictine (Kan.) 7-1 201

Prv. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13. Southeastern (Fla.) 6-1 14. Northwestern 7-1 15. Dickinson State 6-1 16. Concordia (Mich.) 7-1 17. SAGU (Texas) 6-1 18. Sterling (Kan.) 6-2 19. Tabor (Kan.) 6-2 20. Campbellsville 6-0 21. Marian (Ind.) 4-3 22. Cumberland 6-3 23. Arizona Christian 5-3 24. Doane (Neb.) 4-3 25. Dakota State (S.D.) 6-2

Western 4; Concordia (Neb.) 4; Peru State (Neb.) 3.

Frontier Conference Individual Leaders Week Nine

Passing: Tanner Trosin, SOU, 361 ypg Receiving: Bronsen Ader, SOU, 117 ypg Receptions: Dion Williams, MT, 8 cpg Rushing: Jed Fike, MT, 155 ypg Tackles: Garet Fowler, MSU-N, 97 Sacks: Sean Rogers, SOU, 9.5 sacks INT's: Keenan Fagan, RMC, 7 ints

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Donovan Garner and the Northern seniors will play their final home game this Saturday against Southern Oregon.

exemplified — honor, character, integrity, and something that seems to be lacking in the world of sports these days — loyalty.

All of you who will play these final two games for the Lights, you all embody those qualities, and you have set an example that is very hard to teach these days, and even harder to follow — you've shown exactly what it means to care about something and someone above yourselves. You've done that for your teammates and coaches, and you've done that fort Northern.

And, while this column probably isn't even gratitude enough for all that you've given of yourselves, and given to Northern football, I leave you with this — from someone who does indeed care abut MSU-N football, on a daily basis — thank you seniors.

Thank you very much.

14 15 16 17 18 t20 t20 25 13 22 23 19 NR

Others receiving votes: : Kansas Wesleyan 7; Evangel (Mo.) 6; Oklahoma Panhandle State 5; Montana

Lights Coaching Staff

I've watched guys like Garet Fowler and Kagen Khameneh play through the pain of seasons that have yielded few positive results. I've watched a guy like Donovan Garner come into a difficult situation and, not only make the most out of it, but make a new home for himself.

I've watched Steven Fernandez come to Northern, and in just one year's time, play like he's been here for years. I've watched Tommy Langley, week-after-week, do his job, do what he can to help the Northern program. I've seen guys like Dakota Schelling wait their turn, and when his number was finally called, embrace his chance to play.

I know I didn't mention every senior, but please know, I've watched all of you, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the things you've

179 170 157 150 129 109 104 96 85 52 36 35 25

Jim Potter The 2017 Montana State University-Northern coaching staff. From left to right: Dan Vanderpan (defensive line), Darold DeBolt (defensive line), Jake Eldridge (defensive coordinator, strength and conditioning), Rick Wells (defensive backs), Aaron Christensen (head coach, offensive coordinator), Anvil Sinsibaugh (offensive line, recruiting coordinator), Jorge Magana (linebacker, defensive line), Kevin Murphy (linebackers), Lance Marshall (wide receivers, tight ends).

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As dependable as they come

MSU-N senior linebacker Garet Fowler got on the field early in his career, and he never left it George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

When you think of the prototype football player, that tough, gritty, gutty, hard-nosed player, the one who always seems to have mud and grass stains all over his uniform, one of the positions that best typifies that is middle linebacker. You think of that position and you automatically think – football.

The Montana State University-Northern Lights have had one of those guys for the last four seasons. He’s a throwback to the kind of linebacker, the kind of football player that you picture when thinking about the 1985 Chicago Bears, or any other legendary

defense.

And Garet Fowler is a guy who knew exactly what type of football player he wanted to be the minute he stepped onto Northern’s campus.

But, when Fowler was recruited by then head coach Mark Samson, out of Class A Belgrade High School, the odds of him becoming that player, at least early on, were stacked against him.

“Coach Samson told me I was going to redshirt,” Fowler, who will play his last game in Blue Pony Stadium Saturday when the Lights take on Southern Oregon, said.

“We were loaded at linebacker.”

Fowler signed with Northern anyway, and, while the Lights did have a lot of linebackers, he didn’t care. He was determined to see the field as soon as he got to MSU-N. “That motivated me honestly,” Fowler said. “I worked hard that whole summer, I wanted to come here and play right away. I wanted to start actually. Back then, we ran a 4-3 defense, and we had 17 linebackers on the room when I got here. I wasn’t even on

the depth chart at the start of fall camp. But then one day, I was third strong, and the next day I was second string, and by midseason, I was starting. I guess I just strived to earn my way onto the field.”

And once he was on the field, Fowler never left.

In eight games his freshman season, he had 20 tackles and an interception. By the next fall camp, he was entrenched in the starting lineup, and his growth as a football player accelerated even faster. In 11 games in 2015, Fowler recorded 73 stops, two sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss. By the time the season was over, he was already one of the best middle linebackers in the Frontier Conference, and he had two years still to play.

“I set high goals for myself right away,” Fowler said. “But one of the biggest things for me, was everything I learned from Coach (Arthur) Smith. He showed me so much about this position. To be good at your position, you listen to your coaches, you trust

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And with a Griff Amies field goal, the dream of a de facto Frontier Conference championship game was gone.

Amies kicked a field goal as time expired in last Saturday’s Frontier Conference game between Rocky Mountain College and Montana Tech in Butte, The field goal lifted the Battlin’ Bears to a 30-27 road win over the Orediggers, and with it, likely ended any chance Tech had left of winning a Frontier title this season. The kick also clinched at the very least, a share of the Frontier championship for undefeated Southern Oregon.

Through four weeks of Frontier play, it looked like the Nov. 11 game between Tech and SOU was going to decide the Frontier championship this season. But then, Western stunned the Orediggers in Dillon, putting Tech behind the eight-ball. Still, had the Orediggers won out, they still

MSU-Northern Lights vs Southern Oregon Raiders Location: Havre, Mont.

Nickname: Lights Colors: Maroon and Yellow 2017 record: 0-8, 1-8

2016 record: 1-9, 1-9 Interim Head coach: Jake Eldridge Stadium: Blue Pony Stadium Streak: The Lights have lost four straight games since beating Mayville State to end September.

Saturday, November 4, 2017 Blue Pony Stadium ~ Noon Southern Oregon

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Montana State University-Northern's linebacker Garet Fowler, right, makes a tackle during a Frontier Conference game earlier this season in Havre. Fowler leads the Frontier Conference this fall with 97 tackles. He's led the Lights in tackles in each of the last three seasons as well. Fowler, a Belgrade native, will play his final home game Saturday afternoon when the Lights host Southern Oregon.

2016 record: 5-5, 5-6 Head coach: Charlie Hall

Location: Ashland, Ore.

Stadium: Raider Stadium

Nickname: Raiders

Streak: The Raiders have won six straight times at Blue Pony Stadium, dating back even to the days when they weren't in the Frontier.

Colors: Red and White 2017 record: 8-0, 8-0

November 3, 2017

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Raiders have Frontier title in the bag George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

See Fowler Page 6

Montana State University-Northern

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would have had a chance to play for the title when SOU came calling on the last game of the season.

Now though, that hope is likely over. Even if Tech goes on the road and beats C o l l e ge o f I d a h o t h i s Saturday, which is no easy bargain, the Diggers would need MSU-Northern to upset SOU this Saturday in Havre. And while the Lights will try their best, that upset appears unlikely given the way each team has been trending.

Certainly, the game in Butte between the Raiders and Orediggers has lost a lot of its luster now. Tech won’t be nearly as highly ranked when SOU gets to Alumni Coliseum, and the Frontier title will likely have been decided.

No, instead, Tech, will be fighting for its

p l ayo f f l i ve s – i f t h e Orediggers get past C of I. If they don’t win that game, the playoffs will be gone before the Raiders even arrive in Butte. But, if the Orediggers beat the Yotes, then, the game against the Raiders will still be significant in that, i f Te c h w i n s , t h e Orediggers will likely still be in the playoffs at 8-2.

And lastly, in all this, don’t lose sight of the fact that it’s all because of Rocky. Give the Battlin’ Bears credit. They almost b e a t Te c h b a c k i n September, and then did last week, on Tech’s home field. Rocky has put together an outstanding season, and if not for a season-opening slip-up at Dickinson State, the Bears would be fighting for their playoff lives with two

Today in the Frontier Conference

Southern Oregon is now the Frontier champion for the third time in the last five seasons. And this time around, the Raiders have done so with two things that might be different than in the past.

First, SOU has marched through the new season with a new head coach, and a heavy heart. The program lost beloved head coach Craig Howard late last year, and Howard’s successor was much like him, a local coach who moved up from the high school ranks to take over SOU’s program. Before being hired at SOU, Hall had coached at Ashland High since 2005. Hall, who played at SOU, did have plenty of college experience though. He was a grad assistant at SOU, while also coaching at NCAA Division I University of Washington,

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See Notebook Page 12

2017 Frontier Conference Preseason Coaches Poll 1. Montana Tech; 2. Eastern Oregon; T3. Southern Oregon; T3. Carroll College; 5. UM-Western; T6. Rocky Mountain College; T6. College of Idaho; 8. MSU-Northern

1. Southern Oregon 2. Montana Tech 3. Rocky Mountain 4. UM-Western 5. College of Idaho 6. Carroll College 7. Eastern Oregon 8. MSU-Northern

At Montana State University-Northern Lights (0-8, 1-8)

UM-Western (4-4, 4-5) at Carroll College (3-5, 3-5) in Helena, Mont.

Flying High

Havre Daily News Frontier Conference Power Rankings

#7 Southern Oregon Raiders (8-0, 8-0)

#17 Montana Tech (6-2, 6-2 at College of Idaho (4-4, 4-5) in Caldwell, Idaho

weeks to go.

Eastern Oregon (2-6, 2-6) at Rocky Mountain (5-3, 5-4) in Billings, Mont.

Full Coverage on Twitter @HavreDaily

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Notebook: Injuries have taken their toll on an already young MSU-Northern defense ■ From Page 11 University of Idaho and University of New Mexico.

Hall has done a masterful job in his first season at SOU, and of course, the Raider offense has been potent, as usual. But SOU is also winning with defense this season.

The Raiders are first in the Frontier in scoring defense, allowing 21 ppg. They also sit third in total defense, third against the run and third against the pass. They lead the league with 41 sacks and are first in turnover margin, having taken the ball away 23 times this season, while committing just nine. The SOU defense is a veteran unit with seven starters that are either seniors or juniors, and the group has been a perfect compliment to the Raiders’ powerful offense.

Banged Up While SOU’s defense will present plenty of challenges for the MSU-Northern Lights on Saturday, the Lights will have their hands full with the Raider offense too. And that presents big problems considering the

Lights’ defense is certainly the walking wounded.

Jake Eldridge’s unit has lost seven starters from its opening-day defensive lineup, and now, Northern has so thin, the Lights even have players playing out of position.

“We have linebackers who are having to play defensive line, and linebackers who are playing defensive back right now,” Eldridge said following the Lights’ loss to Carroll last Saturday. “It’s a good thing linebacker was our deepest position.”

Indeed, Northern has been very good at linebacker this fall. Veterans Garet Fowler and Alec Wagner have been huge for the MSU-N defense, while senior transfer Steven Fernandez had made a big impact.

Former Chinook standout Jake Norby was also having a strong first season with the Lights until he was injured two weeks ago.

The Lights have now also lost both their starting safeties in Dylan Kelly and Denquincy Bergen, who had a combined four interceptions between them.

And now the Lights’ very young defense has to go up against Tanner Trosin and an

SOU offense that is averaging 37 points and 472 yards per outing. Trosin is fourth in the NAIA in total offense and fifth in passing.

Mountie in the NFL The Detroit Lions seem to be a good place to go if you’re a Frontier Conference football player looking to have a shot at the NFL. The Lions was where former Chester standout and Carroll College tight end Casey Fitzsimmons made a name for himself, and now, another former Frontier guy is trying to do the same.

Last week, former Eastern Oregon star Jace Billingsley was active to the Lions’ 53-man roster, and was in uniform for Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Billingsley, who played both RB and WR at EOU, and was a 2016 NAIA AllAmerican, led the Lions in receiving during the preseason. Billingsley did not have any stats in Sunday night’s game.

Frontier Honors

Southern Oregon QB Tanner Trosin has been named the Frontier Conference and NAIA Offensive Player of the Week. No. 7 Southern Oregon stayed unbeaten with a 44-19 home win over (RV) Montana Western. Trosin was 33 of 47 passing for 502 yards and three touchdowns. It was the fifth 500-yard game in SOU history.

RMC defensive back Keenan Fagan was named Frontier Defensive Player of the Week. In Rocky Mountain’s 30-27 conference road win over then No. 11 Montana Tech, Fagan recorded seven solo tackles, one pass breakup and two interceptions.

The Rocky defense held the Orediggers under their average offensive output by half.

RMC kicker Griff Amies was named Frontier Special Teams Player of the Week.

In Rocky Mountain’s 30-27 conference road win over then No. 11 Montana Tech, he was 3 of 3 in PAT’s and was 3 for 4 in field goals.

He kicked the game-winning 45-yard field goal as time ran out, sealing the Bears’ upset win.

Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Montana State University-Northern's senior Dakota Schelling, right, tackles a Carroll College running back during last Saturday's game in Havre. Schelling is part of a thin Northern defense, which has to contend with Southern Oregon on senior day. The Lights meet the Raiders Saturday at 12 p.m. at Blue Pony Stadium.