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Notebook: Stingy Bulldogs come to MSU-N's homecoming n From Page 11
last Saturday when the Orediggers knocked off then No. 4 Carroll College, 19-10 in Butte. The win was just Tech’s second against Carroll in the last 21 meetings, and it put the Orediggers and the Bulldogs atop the Frontier standings together. Carroll and Southern Oregon however, are still the top Frontier teams in the new poll. The Raiders lost to Carroll to open the season, but survived a scare from Eastern Oregon last Saturday. SOU started the season ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, but dropped to No. 4 in the new poll. Following the loss to the Orediggers, Carroll dipped to No. 7 in this week’s poll. Eastern Oregon, which started the year ranked No. 13, dropped out of the Top 25 after a third straight loss to open the season. But the Mounties are still getting respect in the NAIA poll, as they, and the Rocky Mountain College Battlin’ Bears received votes in this week’s poll. Needing a W Speaking of the Mounties, they certainly didn’t think they’d find themselves looking for their first win of the season this late into September. But that’s where EOU sits heading into Saturday’s home game with Mon-
tana Tech. Of course, two of EOU’s three losses came at the hands of some pretty darn good teams. Two weeks ago, the Mounties moved up to play Big Sky Conference member Sacramento State, then, they lost a heartbreaker to arch rival SOU last Saturday. Still, EOU’s once high playoff hopes are already fading, and an 0-4 start would be a disaster. But to avoid that start, the Mounties will have to beat the hottest team in perhaps the NAIA, the Orediggers. Tech comes to Community Stadium in LaGrande, Oregon Saturday riding high after its stunning win over Carroll, and while Quinn McQueary and the Oredigger offense is shining right now, it’s the Tech defense that’s really braking through. After two wins to start the season, Tech is leading the Frontier in nearly every defensive category. The Diggers are allowing a meager nine points per game, they are giving up just 233 yards of offense per outing and are allowing just 84.5 yards rushing. And those rushing numbers come having already faced Northern’s McKinley and Carroll, which is known to be a great running team with a great offensive line. So, if Tech’s trend continues, it could spell
trouble for the Mounties this Saturday, and trouble for the rest of the Frontier all season long. Early Leaders While McKinley once again leads the Frontier in rushing, others are starting to shine early this season as well. Despite a rough outing last Saturday, Carroll’s Mac Roche leads the conference with 225 passing yards per game, while Tech’s Alec Bray leads the league in receiving with seven catches per outing. EOU’s Gary Posten leads the Frontier in tackles with 40, while Northern’s Tyler Craig and Western’s Reno Ward each have four sacks, which is tops in the Frontier. Awards UM-Western freshman quarterback J.D. Ferris was named the Frontier Offensive Player of the Week. In Western’s 24-20 season conference win over College of Idaho, Ferris was 15 of 30 passing for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His lone touchdown pass was the game-winner thrown with just 18 seconds remaining in game. He also rushed 19 times
for 166 yards and one touchdown. Also nominated and listed in alphabetical order; Calvin Conners of Eastern Oregon, Teejay Gordon of College of Idaho, Jade Olsen of Rocky Mountain College, Nolan Saraceni of Montana Tech and Tanner Trosin of Southern Oregon. Western senior linebacker A.J. Wilson was named the Defensive Player of the Week. Wilson recorded nine unassisted tackles, two assisted tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception. Also nominated and listed in alphabetical order; Tyler Gaviak of Montana Tech, Jared Jensen of Eastern Oregon, Jordan Kessen of Rocky Mountain College, Nate Moore of College of Idaho, Kyle Smith of Carroll College. SOU kicker Marcus Montana earned Special Teams Player of the Week. In Southern’s 38-35 come-from behind win, Montano, a truefreshman, kicked the game-winning 27-yard field goal with just four seconds remaining in the game. It completed a come-back where SOU had trailed 35-14 with a minute left to play in third quarter. Also nominated: Matt Berg of Montana Tech, Hartvig Bondo of College of Idaho, Evan Connolly of Rocky Mountain College and Colter Hamel of Carroll College.
Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Montana State University-Northern's Logan Sprouse, right, brings down a Montana Tech receiver during a Frontier Conference game at Blue Pony Stadium Sept. 5. The Lights return home to face the nationally-ranked UM-Western Bulldogs on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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Record Setter
In just 24 games and less than three seasons, Zach McKinley is already the greatest running back in Northern history George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
Zach McKinley never thought about setting records, not in high school or college. In fact, there was a time when all McKinley wanted to do was be handed the football as a starting running back. Now however, three games into his junior season at Montana State University-Northern, McKinley doesn’t have to worry about
getting the ball. He totes it plenty as MSUN’s starting tailback for the third straight season. And while records still aren’t foremost on his mind, or his goal sheet, records are exactly what McKinley had. And he has a lot of them. Last Saturday in Billings, McKinley rushed for 103 yards against Rocky Mountain College, and the biggest rushing record at Northern fell with that performance. McKinley now has 2,875 career rushing yards at Northern, which puts him atop the school’s all-time list. With his 350 yards this season, which leads the Frontier Conference, McKinley passed former Northern great Stephen Silva, who set the career mark, previously held by Justin Moe, with 2,856 yards from 2009-2012. But again, that was never McKinley’s goal. Never a starter as a high school running back, McKinley came to Northern to compete for the Lights’ job in 2012. But a foot
injury sidelined him for that entire season. The following fall, he was healthy again, but he had competition at the tailback position. And again, at that time, records were the furthest things from his mind. “I came up here expecting and hoping to play and contribute right away,” McKinley said. “But I had the foot injury and had to red-shirt. The next year, my goal was really just to be the starting running back and help this team any way I could. I never thought about records or yards or anything like that. At that time, coach (Mark) Samson told me I’d get every opportunity to compete for the
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Havre Daily News/File Photo Montana State University-Northern running back Zach McKinley has already broke 14 different rushing records as a Light. Last Saturday, he became the Lights all-time leading rusher, and he's just three games into his junior season.
MSU-Northern Lights vs Montana-Western Montana State University-Northern
2014 record: 6-5 (6-4)
Location: Havre, Mont.
Head coach: Aaron Christensen
Nickname: Lights
Stadium: Blue Pony Stadium
Colors: Maroon and Yellow
Streak: The Lights are on a three-game losing streak to start the 2015 season.
2015 record: 0-3 (0-2)
Saturday, September 19, 2015 Blue Pony Stadium ~ 1 p.m. University of Montana-Western Location: Dillon, Mont. Nickname: Bulldogs Colors: Red and Black 2015 record: 2-0 (2-0)
2014 record: 1-9 (1-9)
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UM-Western, Tech start red hot George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
Now it’s official. Montana State University-Northern running back Zach McKinley is indeed Northern’s all-time leading rusher. Last Saturday, McKinley rushed for 103 yards against the Rocky Mountain College Battlin’ Bears, and when he reached the 85-yard mark in the game at Herb Klindt Field in Billings, he officially became Northern’s all-time leading rusher. McKinley now has 350 yards in three games this season, which gives him 2,875 yards in his career. That mark surpasses former Northern great Stephen Silva, who rushed for 2,856 yards from 20092012. Becoming Northern’s all-time leading rusher is a big feat, but what makes it more amazing is, McKinley did it in just 24 games.
That gives him a career average of 120 yards per game, and it also shows that no Frontier Conference team has really ever been able to slow down the former Great Falls prep standout. And, with eight games left in his junior season, and another 10 or 11 at least in his senior year, McKinley will leave a rushing mark at Northern that will likely never, ever be equaled. Not to mention, the Frontier Conference rushing record might just be in jeopardy too. McKinley now holds 12 different Northern rushing records, and he’ll look to add to his total this Saturday in MSU-N’s annual homecoming game. But, that feat will be difficult as Northern comes into the game
struggling mightily on offense, and now has to face a stout UM-Western defense. In the Bulldogs’ 2-0 start, they’re allowing just 13 points and 133 yards on the ground per game. A big part of that is Western’s talented linebacking core, led by seniors A.J. Wilson and Joe Coker. The former Helena Capital duo have been wreaking havoc on opposing offenses for years, and they did so again last weekend, when they held the potent College of Idaho rushing attack to a mere 141 yards on the ground. So no doubt, if Northern is going to get its offense on track, it will have to do so against one of the best run defenses, and one of the best all-around defenses in the Frontier Conference.
Today in the Frontier Conference No. 19 MontanaWestern Bulldogs (2-0, 2-0)
At Montana State University-Northern Lights (0-3, 0-2)
Head coach: B.J. Robertson Stadium: Vigilante Field Streak: The Bulldogs have won four straight against the Lights, including two wins last season.
No. 4 Southern Oregon (1-1, 1-1) at College of Idaho (1-1, 1-2) in Caldwell, Idaho Rocky Mountain College (1-1, 2-1) at No. 7 Carroll College (1-1, 1-1) in Helena, Mont.
No. 15 Montana Tech (2-0, 2-0) at Eastern Oregon (0-2, 0-3) in LaGrande, Ore.
2015 Frontier Conference Coaches Preseason Poll 1. Carroll College 2. Southern Oregon 3. Eastern Oregon 4. Rocky Moutain 5. UM-Western 6. College of Idaho 7. Montana Tech 8.MSU-Northern
Welcome to the Poll Speaking of the Bulldogs’ earlyseason success, they’re not alone, and they’re being rewarded for it. The Bulldogs and Montana Tech have started a surprising 2-0 in the Frontier, and both teams made leaps into the first NAIA Coaches Poll of the season.
Havre Daily News Week Four Frontier Power Rankings 1. Montana Tech 2. UM-Western 3. Carroll College 4. Southern Oregon 5. Rocky Mountain College 6. Eastern Oregon 7. College of Idaho 8. MSU-Northern
While Western moved in at No. 19 after beating Rocky Mountain College and C of I, Montana Tech, which was picked to finish seventh in the league this season, moved into the poll at No. 15. Tech opened its season to weeks ago with a win at Northern, but the big blow came
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MSU-Northern Rewind
Rocky shuts out MSU-Northern Lights struggle in first Frontier Conference road game
George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com If the Montana State UniversityNorthern Lights are going to break out for their first win of the 2015 season, they’re going to have to wait another week. Because the Rocky Mountain College Battlin’ Bears were having none of it. RMC shut out the Lights 46-0 Saturday at Herb Klindt Field in Billings, sending Northern to an 0-3 start to the season. The Lights also fell to 0-2 in the Frontier Conference. And while Northern played the Battlin’ Bears (2-1, 1-1) tough in the numbers game, it was the scoreboard that mattered in the end. The Lights rushed for 148 yards, including 103 yards from Zach McKinley, who officially broke MSU-N’s all-time rushing record on Saturday. But Northern, which came in averaging just 13 points per game, couldn’t get the ball in the end zone. On the flip side, the Bears raced out to a 11-0 first quarter lead, and things got worse from there. When Chase White hit Andre McCullouch for a 36-yard touchdown pass, the Lights were down 21-0 with 11:41 still to play in the first half. RMC would tack on a third Evan Connolly field goal and a 2-yard score from Jade Olson to take a 31-0 lead into intermission. MSU-N’s defense would stiffen in the second half, but the Lights’ could never crack the board on offense, and a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown in the final quarter capped a big day on both sides of the ball for RMC. The Lights would finish the game with just 244 total yards of offense, with Mario Gobatto adding 70 yards on the ground. But it was another rough day for sophomore quarterback Jess Krahn, who completed 10 passes for 86 yards with one pick and no scores. Jake Messerly led all Northern receivers with four catches for 33 yards, but the passing game was hampered by the fact that Krahn was sacked 10 times by the RMC defense. On the flip side of the ball, the Lights allowed 400 yards of offense, but did force the Bears into four field goal tries. Olson rushed for 72 yards, while McCullouch had four grabs for 91 yards. The Lights did get six sacks, including two from Billings native Jordan Brusio, as well as Tyler Craig’s fourth sack of the season.
Frontier Conference Standings
Montana Tech UM-Western Rocky Mountain Carroll College Southern Oregon College of Idaho MSU-Northern Eastern Oregon
Conf. WL 2-0 2-0 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 0-2 0-2
Overall WL 2-0 2-0 2-1 1-1 1-1 1-2 0-3 0-3
Saturday, Sept. 12 Rocky Mountain 46, MSU-Northern 0 UM-Western 24, College of Idaho 20 Montana Tech 19, Carroll College 10 Southern Oregon 38, Eastern Oregon 35 Saturday MSU-Northern vs UM-Western Rocky Mountain at Carroll College Montana Tech at Eastern Oregon Southern Oregon at College of Idaho
Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Seth Rommele and the Lights are in search of their first win of 2015 when they host the UM-Western Bulldogs for homecoming on Saturday.
Jesse Morales had seven stops, as did Craig. Now, Northern will look to regroup, but it won’t be easy as the Lights come home to host the unbeaten and nationally ranked UM-Western Bulldogs for homecoming. Northern’s homecoming game will kick off at 1 p.m. this Saturday at Blue Pony Stadium.
NAIA Coaches Poll
Rec. Pts Prv.
1. Marian (Ind.) (15) 2-0 2. Morningside (Iowa) 2-0 3. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 2-0 4. Southern Oregon 1-1 5. Faulkner (Ala.) 2-0 6. Baker (Kan.) 3-0 7. Carroll (Mont.) 1-1 8. Saint Xavier (Ill.) 2-1 9. Northwestern (Iowa) 2-0 10. Grand View (Iowa) 2-1 11. Robert Morris (Ill.) 2-0 12. William Penn (Iowa) 2-1 13. Missouri Valley 2-1
340 327 312 276 274 272 268 257 246 223 197 183 180
1 3 7 1 10 15 t4 t4 12 6 20 19 9
14. Doane (Neb.)
2-0
164 22
15. Montana Tech
2-0
155 NR
16. Valley City State
2-1
120 17
17. Saint Francis (Ind.) 2-0
90
NR
18. Benedictine (Kan.)
2-1
88
25
19. Montana Western 2-0
86
NR
20. Webber International 2-1
81
24
21. MidAmerica Naz.
1-2
74
8
22. Dakota Wesleyan
3-0
61
NR
23. Langston (Okla.)
1-1
60
18
24. Tabor (Kan.)
1-1
54
22
24. Reinhardt (Ga.)
2-0
54
NR
Others receiving votes: : Ottawa (Kan.) 40; Georgetown (Ky.) 35; Siena Heights (Mich.) 11; Eastern Oregon 9; Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 6; Kansas Wesleyan 3.
Frontier Conference Individual Leaders 2015 Week Four
Passing: Mac Roche, CC, 225 ypg Receiving: A. McCullouch, RMC, 96 ypg Receptions: Alec Bray, MT, 7 cpg Rushing: Zach McKinley, MSU-N 117 ypg Tackles: Gary Posten, EOU 40 Sacks: Reno Ward, UM-W, 4 sacks INT's: A.J. Wilson, UM-W, 3 ints
Lights Coaching Staff
fail), 8:01. MSUN Rocky First downs Rushes-yards Passing Passing yards Total yards Fumbles-lost Penalties-yards
15 44-148 10-20-1 86 244 2-2 6-64
21 60-158 17-25-0 252 400 0-0 3-25
Rocky Mountain 46, MSU Northern 0 MSU Northern 0 0 0 0 — 0 Rocky Mountain 11 20 6 9 — 46 First quarter RMC: Jade Olson 7 run (Jacob Bakken run), 8:43. RMC: Evan Connolly 22 field goal, 2:46. Second quarter RMC: Connolly 40 field goal, 13:45. RMC: Andre McCullouch 36 pass from Chase White (Connolly kick), 11:48. RMC: Connolly 23 field goal, 8:41. RMC: Olson 2 run (Connolly kick), 1:27. Third quarter RMC: Kodee Varner 1 run (run fail), 4:19. Fourth quarter RMC: Connolly 33 field goal, 10:34. RMC: Jared Gallatin 44 interception return (kick
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Northern: Zach McKinley 24-103, Mario Gobbato 22-70, Kagen Khamaneh 1-31, Qwaundre Yancy 1-1, Jake Messerly 1-1, Bowe McKay 1-(minus 1), Jess Krahn 10-(minus-47). Rocky: Jade Olson 12-72, Conner Cerkovnik 5-37, Kodee Varner 11-25, Jacob Bakken 7-17, Dylan Woodhall 1-14, Team 1-0, Tyrell McGee 1-(minus 2), Chase White 6-(minus 15). PASSING — Northern: Jess Krahn 10-20-86-1. Rocky: Chase White 12-16-213-0, Jacob Bakken 5-9-39-0. RECEIVING — Northern: Jake Day 2-36, Jake Messerly 4-33, Seth Roemmele 1-12, Zach McKinley 1-4, Kagen Khamaneh 1-3, Qwaundre Yancy 1-(minus 2). Rocky: Andre McCullouch 4-91, Tyrell McGee 2-54, Rodd Wohlfeil 3-32, Jade Olson 1-30, Jamyca Wallace 2-14, Eric Buer 1-11, Michael Robinson 1-6, Zane Guse 1-6, Kodee Varner 1-5, Dylan Woodhall 1-3.
Jim Potter The 2015 Montana State University-Northern coaching staff. Back row, left to right, Jorge Magana, Dylan Murphy, Aaron Christensen, Cody O'Neil and Matt Stevens. Front row, left to right, Arthur Smith, Chuck Terry, Jake Eldridge and Darold DeBolt.
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MSU-Northern Offensive Starters
UM-Western Defensive Starters
MSU-N 2014 Offensive Numbers
UM-W Defensive Numbers
Scoring: 5 ppg, last in Frontier Total offense: 235 ypg, last in Frontier
Jake Messerly #17, 6-1, 195 Receiver
Mitch Pelroy #1, 5-8, 170 Cornerback
Rush offense: 158 ypg, 5th in Frontier
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MSU-Northern Defensive Starters
UM-W Offensive Numbers
MSU-N Defensive Numbers
Scoring: 13 ppg, 2nd in Frontier
Scoring: 40 ppg, last in Frontier
Total defense: 351 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Total defense: 414 ypg, 6th in Frontier
Rush defense: 134 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Rush defense: 189 ypg, 6th in Frontier
Scoring: 37 ppg, 2nd in Frontier Malcolm Manuel #3, 5-9, 170 Cornerback
Aaron Christensen enters his first season as the Head Football Coach of Montana State UniversityNorthern. He brings with him a decade of coaching experience at the NAIA level. From 2012 to 2014, Coach Christensen served as the Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator for Missouri Valley College (MVC).
Adolfo Robles #58, 6-2, 270 Offensive line
Jess Krahn #8, 6-3, 220 Quarterback
Matt McKeen #78, 6-2,290 Center
Andrew Gilpin #94, 6-3, 255 Defensive line
Tyler Craig #91, 6-2, 245 Defensive end T.J. Benson #25, 5-10, 185 Linebacker
Tucker Dunn
#2, 6-1, 225 Linebacker
Tyrell Penner #98, 6-3, 270 Nose tackle
Jacob Folk #60, 6-4, 335 Offensive line
Reno Ward #32, 6-2, 255 Defensive line
Logan Sprouse #21, 5-11, 170 Safety
A.J. Wilson #7, 6-1, 235 Linebacker
Lane Urick #92, 6-1, 285 Defensive tackle GaretFowler #12, 5-10, 205 Linebacker
Joe Coker #2, 6-0, 215 Linebacker Jay Owens #27, 6-0, 185 Safety
Gabe Benavidez #40, 5-10, 250 Fullback
Garrett Jericoff #1, 5-9, 165 Safety
Patrick Barnett #90, 6-2, 265 Defensive tackle Jesse Morales #7, 6-0, 210 Linebacker
Jordan Brusio #47, 5-11, 240 Defensive end
Pete Morales #77, 6-3, 295 Offensive line
Jaime Toscano #49, 5-8, 210 Kicker
Jake Day #10, 5-10, 185 Receiver
B.J. Robertson Western Head Coach
Will Thacker #66, 6-1, 290 Offensive line
Shayden Flint #63, 6-1, 280 Offensive line
J.D. Ferris #15, 6-0, 170 Quarterback
Sam Rutherford #20, 6-1, 215 Running back
Donovan Hucke #54, 6-0, 275 Offensive line
Kyle Putman #71, 6-3, 265 Offensive line Matt Fuhrman
Dakota Wainright #33, 5-11, 230 Linebacker
#83, 5-7, 190 Receiver
Matt Lickfold #14, 6-2, 220 Tight end
Kagen Khameneh #85, 6-3, 225 Tight end Dillon Barnes #89, 6-0, 160 Punter
Total offense: 340 ypg,5th in Frontier
Caleb DeGroot #51, 6-3, 275 Offensive line
Ben Sulser #3, 6-0, 187 Safety
Zach McKinley #24, 5-11, 210 Running Back
Quinn Chamberlain #8, 6-2, 195 Receiver
Rushing: 192 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Clint Willis #75, 6-6, 280 Offensive line
Aaron Christensen MSU-N Head Coach
UM-Western Offensive Starters
Dakota Pineda #21, 5-8, 185 Cornerback
Myvon Rawlings #6, 6-0, 185 Safety
Tyler Murray #9, 6-0, 170 Receiver
Connor Greth
#16, 6-2, 195 Kicker
George Sherwood
#11, 6-3, 215 Punter
The 2015 season is BJ Robertson's third season as the head coach for Montana Western. Before coming back to Montana Western, Robertson had a successful career as an assistant coach in programs at Rocky Mountain College, Southern Oregon, and Rockford College. Robertson served as assistant head coach, strength and conditioning coach, recruiting coordinator, special teams and position coach on both sides of the ball.
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MSU-Northern Numerical Roster
UM-Western Numerical Roster No. Name Year 1 Mitch Pelroy JR 2 Joe Coker SR 3 Ben Sulser SR 4 Connor Langel SR 5 Skyler Roope SR 6 Tres Cunningham SO 7 AJ Wilson SR 8 Quinn Chamberlain SR 9 Tyler Murray JR 10 Dylan Kramer SR 11 George Sherwoood SO 12 Connor Lamping JR 13 Charlie Switzer JR 14 Matt Lickfold SR 15 JD Ferris FR 16 Connor Greth JR 17 Bennett Gibson SO 18 MJ Simkins SO 19 Beau Brekke JR 20 Sam Rutherford JR 21 Dakota Pineda SR 22 Chico Stipe JR 23 TJ Leep SR 24 Cory Holcomb JR 25 Taft Benson JR 26 Bubba Keller FR 27 Jay Owens SO 28 Bo Hughes FR 29 Calub Thilmony FR 30 Erik Wilson FR 31 Alex Brunett FR 32 Reno Ward JR 33 Dakota Wainwright SR 34 Riley Martello SO 35 Tim Mundanhiol SO 36 Brad Nordahl JR 37 Scott Mundanhiol SO 38 Michael Bennett SO 39 Zach Janis FR 40 Lane Chadwick FR 41 Dustin Pickens SO 42 Adam Hansen SO 44 Hunter Thomsen SO 45 Scottie Crigler FR 47 Kraig Nelson SO 48 Cody Pierson FR 49 Kolby Tamol FR 50 Jake McElroy FR 51 Caleb Degroot SR 52 Levi Evjene JR 53 Garrett Buck SO 54 Donovan Hucke SO 55 Jammer Halverson FR 58 Jarred Simons SO 61 Connor Schulte FR 63 Shayden Flint SO 64 Wyatt Laakso SO 65 Jaxsen Lyon JR 66 Will Thacker SR 69 Cody Stone-Murphy SO 70 Ty Lahue FR 70 Ty Lahue FR 71 Kylan Putman JR 72 Denzel Maua FR 77 John Munger SO 80 Melvin Walser FR
Pos. DB LB DB DB DB QB LB WR WR RB WR WR TE WR QB K/P QB DB WR RB DB DB RB RB LB DB DB WR LB LB DB DL LB LB WR DB DB LB DB LB DL LB RB TE TE WR DL LB OL DL LB OL LB DL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL WR
Ht. 5-8 6-0 6-0 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-0 5-9 6-3 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-2 5-10 5-8 6-1 5-8 5-10 6-1 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-1 5-7 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-4
Wt. 170 215 175 195 185 170 240 195 175 190 215 185 200 220 170 195 240 165 175 215 185 190 205 210 185 180 185 185 200 195 195 255 245 190 175 180 180 215 170 210 215 190 195 215 170 250 225 270 215 275 235 245 240 280 230 280 291 255 250 240 240 290 190
Hometown Coupeville, Wash. Helena, Mont. Billings, Mont. Helena, Mont. Helena, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Helena, Mont. Helena, Mont. Hamilton, Mont. Laurel, Mont. Kalispell, Mont. Helena, Mont. Richey, Mont. Post Falls, Idaho Dillon, Mont. Minden Nev. Mount Vernon, Wash. Dillon, Mont. Salmon, Idaho Great Falls, Mont. Idaho Falls, Idaho Charlo, Mont. Bozeman, Mont. Big Timber, Mont. Libby, Mont. Billings, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Whitefish, Mont. Fernley, Nev. Clancy, Mont. Deer Lodge, Mont. Palmer, Alaska Bozeman, Mont. Boulder, Mont. Frenchtown, Mont. Boulder, Mont. Seattle, Wash. Yakima, Wash. Clancy, Mont. Warden, Wash. Great Falls, Mont. Billings, Mont. Libby, Mont. Twin Bridges, Mont. East Helena, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Blackfoot, Idaho Dillon, Mont. Helena, Mont. Laurel, Mont. Butte, Mont. Puyallup, Wash. Bozeman, Mont. Idaho Falls, Idaho Winnemucca, Nev. Laurel, Mont. Nine Mile Falls, Wash. Billings, Mont. Billings, MT Meridian, Idaho Mount Vernon, Wash.
No. Name Year 81 Jonah Lehmann SO 82 Christian Hanser SO 83 Matt Furhman SO 84 Cody Connolly FR 85 Kristopher Cleveland FR 86 Joseph Lilio FR 87 Justin Sullivan SO 88 Tristan Clark FR 89 Jon Verlanic SO 93 Seth Mason JR 94 Andrew Gilpin SR 95 Tyrell Penner SO 96 Hunter Mullin FR 99 Conlan Smith FR
Pos. WR WR WR WR WR TE WR WR WR P/K DL DL DL DL
Ht. 6-3 5-10 5-7 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2
Wt. 200 180 165 170 160 195 200 185 175 200 255 270 300
Hometown Bozeman, Mont. Broadview, Mont. Billings, Mont. Billings, Mont. Hamilton, Mont. Kaneohe, Hawaii Valier, Mont. Deer Lodge, Mont. Laurel, Mont. Hamilton, Mont. Kalispell, Mont. Salmon, Idaho Bonneville, Wash.
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No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 53 55 56 58 60 61 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79
Name
Pos. Ht. Wt.
Garrett Jericoff DB Tucker Dunn LB Malcolm Manuel DB Jonathan McGinnis LB Herman Smith QB Myvon Rawlings DB Jesse Morales LB Alex Rodriguez DB Jake Day WR Jess Krahn QB Garet Fowler LB Malachi Flores WR Holden Maki QB J.R. Finai WR Joseph DeLaCruz WR Jake Messerly WR Nathan Loutzenhiser QB Bowe McKay WR Qwaundre Yancy WR Logan Sprouse DB Mario Gobbato RB Colton Boyle QB Zach McKinley RB Traejun Foard DB Quintan Boos DB Denzel Hamiel DB Zach Crace RB Kaden Barrus DB Felix Ramirez DB Casey Keen DB Sherman Arthur DB Brooks Dunn LB Garret Severson LB Dakota Schelling LB Corey Lee DB N'Drain "David" N'GuessaLB Lane Foster RB Kyle Watson FB Gabriel Benavidez FB Tovati "TJ" Gasetoto Jr. LB Jonathan Gragg LB Paxton Maki LB Wyatt McKinlay FB Michael McKeen LB Kyle Williams DB Jordan Brusio DL Jace Billy DL Jaime Toscano K Kyle Martinez LB Alec Wagner LB Austin Rychner DL Mitchell Harmon DL Dace Fisher DL Adolfo Robles OL Jacob Folk OL Elijah Dennison DL Justin Ratzburg OL Trenton Woodward OL Dale Cummings OL Trevor Frandsen DL Adam Ayala DL Salesi Koloamatangi DL Brennan Lewis OL Robert Johnson OL Ryan Handley OL Diamond Pedro OL Jeremy Eisenmann OL Dylan Schmidt OL Clint Willis OL Casey Cleveland OL Pete Morales OL Matthew McKeen OL Jaxon Simonson OL
5'9" 6'1" 5'9" 6'1" 6'5" 6'0" 6'0" 6'2" 5'10" 6'3" 5'10" 5'10" 5'9" 6'2" 5'8" 6'1" 6'0" 6'3" 5'7" 5'11" 5'8" 6'0" 5'10" 6'0" 6'0" 6'3" 5'9" 5'9" 5'9" 5'8" 6'1" 5'10" 5'11" 6'0" 5'10" 6'0" 5'10" 6'1" 5'10" 6'0" 6'2" 6'0" 5'10" 5'10" 6'1" 6'1" 6'0" 5'8" 6'0" 5'11" 5'10" 6'1" 6'1" 6'2" 6'4" 6'2" 6'0" 6'5" 6'1" 5'11" 6'3" 6'0" 6'2" 6'1" 6'3" 6'3" 6'3" 6'4" 6'6" 6'1" 6'3" 6'2" 6'3"
195 225 170 205 215 165 210 205 165 220 205 165 170 215 160 215 190 225 160 170 185 200 205 185 205 210 170 170 190 160 170 190 170 185 175 190 180 220 250 215 210 165 205 215 205 230 210 210 240 210 230 245 195 270 335 245 280 240 330 230 260 235 310 250 230 310 250 275 280 265 295 290 280
Yr. JR JR SR JR SO FR JR FR SO SO SO FR FR SO FR JR FR FR FR JR JR FR JR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR JR SO FR SO JR FR FR FR JR FR FR FR SO FR SO JR FR JR JR FR JR SO FR JR SO FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR JR FR FR FR FR JR SR FR
Hometown
Hilmar High School, Calif. Hamilton High School, Ariz. Golden West College, Calif. Dickinson State, N.D. Colorado State University Silverado High School, Calif. La Habre High School, Calif. Canyon Springs High School Irvine High School, Calif. Hockinson High School, Wash. Belgrade High School, Mont. Vasquez High School, Calif. Belt High School, Mont. Kearns High School, Utah Farmersville High School, Calif. Missoula Sentinel High School, Sandpoint High School, Idaho W.F. High School, Wash. Sahuaro High School, Ariz. Allan Hancock, Calif. Blaine High School, Wash. Sammamish High School CM Russell High School, Mont. Basha High School, Ariz. Malta High School, Mont. Prairie High School, Wash. Libby High School, Mont. Gooding High School, Idaho Sammamish High School,. Cascade High School, Mont. Los Angeles Southwest, Calif. Hamilton High School, Ariz. White River High School. Churchhill County High School College of the Canyons, Calif. Kent High School, Wash. Hot Springs High School, Mont. Lambert High School, Mont. Merced Junior College, Calif. Washington High Hellgate High School, Mont. Belt High School, Mont. Geraldine High School, Mont. Freedom High School, Calif. Desert Oasis High School, Calif. Billings West High School Havre High School, Mont. Citrus College, Calif. City College of San Francisco Laurel High School, Mont. Carter County High School Citrus College, Calif. Sidney High School, Mont. Garces Memorial High School Harlem JR/SR High School Enumclaw High School, Wash. Conrad High School, Mont. Three Forks High School, Mont. Cochran High School, AB Missoula Big Sky High School Prairie High School, Wash. Hamilton High School, Ariz. Churchill County High School Stevensville High School, Idaho Hellgate High School, Mont. College of the Siskiyous, Calif. Missoula Sentinel High School Lakeside High School, Wash. Gardiner High School, Mont. CM Russell High School, Mont. La Habra High School, Calif. Freedom High School, Calif. North Star High School, Mont.
No. 80 85 87 88 89 90 91 92 94 95 99
Name
Logan Mayernik Kagen Khamaneh Jordan Pugh Seth Roemmele Dillon Barnes Patrick Barnett Tyler Craig Lane Urick Linnwood Kirkland Josh Loutzenhiser Jefferson Aumua
Pos. Ht. Wt.
WR TE TE WR P DL DL DL DL DL DL
5'11" 6'3" 6'5" 6'0" 6'0" 6'2" 6'2" 6'1" 6'0" 6'1" 6'3"
180 225 220 190 160 265 230 285 260 255 340
Yr. JR SO FR FR JR JR JR JR JR SO SR
Hometown
Carterville High School, Mont. Missoula Sentinel High School Wilson High School, Wash. Willow Creek High School, AB Citrus College, Calif. Billings West High School CM Russell High School, Mont. Great Falls High School, Mont. Waldrof College, Iowa Sandpoint High School, Idaho College of the Siskiyous, Calif.
2015 Montana State University-Northern Football Staff Aaron Christensen, head coach; Jake Eldridge, defensive coordinator, strength & conditioning; Cody O'Neil, offensive line, recruiting coordinator; Jorge Magana, defensive line; Arthur Smith, linebackers; Matt Stevens, running backs; Chuck Terry, wide receivers; Darold DeBolt, defensive line, special teams; Dylan Murphy, tight ends, offensive line. Athletic Director: Christian Oberquell; Certified Athletic Trainer: Nichole Borst; Sports Information: Nicole Yazzie.
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McKinley: Star running back has broken 14 different school records
McKinley: Despite all the records, McKinley's main goal is to win
n From Page 2
n From Page 6
starting job, and I was motivated to prove that I was the guy. So I just took it and ran with it. And it all worked out.” McKinley did win the starting job and indeed ran with it – to the tune of 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman. And after that, there was never a question about who the starting tailback at MSU-N was. McKinley followed up his thrilling freshman campaign with a recordsetting sophomore season. Last fall, he rushed for a school-record 1,425 yards to go along with 14 touchdowns, another MSU-N rushing record. In eight of 11 games a year ago, McKinley rushed for over 100 yards, and he topped the 200-yard mark twice, including a 222-yard performance on the final day of the season, a win at Rocky Mountain College. In the end, McKinley averaged 130 yards per game and nearly six
yards per carry. Both led the Frontier Conference, and he earned FirstTeam All-Conference honors. The magical season left him within sight of Silva’s all-time rushing record, and now, three games into only his junior season, he has it. And while it was never the goal, there’s no doubt McKinley is proud of what he’s achieved in such a short amount of time. “When I was young, I was always up here watching game, because my brother Luke played here,” McKinley said. “So I saw those great teams. At 12 years old, I idolized the guys on that great 2006 team, and now, it’s pretty cool to be a part of that history. To be mentioned with guys like Donny Saisbury and Justin Moe and (Stephen) Silva, that’s an honor. And it’s something I can always look back and be proud of.” When people look back on the
annals of Northern history, they’re going to McKinley’s name, a lot, and probably forever. That’s because he still has eight games left this season and at least 10 or 11 next to add to his career rushing total. He already holds or is tied for 14 different records at Northern, and he’s nowhere near done. And, with how many games he has left in his already brilliant career, he will likely pass, or at least threaten, many of the long-standing Frontier Conference rushing records as well. But again, that was never McKinley’s goal. And it really still isn’t today. Instead, his goal has been twofold. To be the best he can be, to work hard every day to get there. And, more importantly, to do whatever it takes to help his team win.
n
See McKinley Page 7
Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Montana State University-Northern running back Zach McKinley runs with the ball during a Frontier Conference football game against Montana Tech earlier this month at Blue Pony Stadium. With his 2,875 yards, McKinley moved past former Northern record-holder Stephen Silva as the No. 1 rusher on the Lights' all-time list. The former Great Falls standout has broken or tied 14 different Northern rushing records, and he's done it in just 24 games as MSU-N's lead back. McKinley will look to add to his total on Saturday against UM-Western.
The first goal he said, happened for several reasons, including a growth spurt after high school. “A big part of my success was just developing my body,” he said. “I was 185 pounds when I got here, and now I’m up to 210. I put on a lot of weight. You know, you’re still growing at 1820 years old, and I think during that time, I’ve been able to get bigger, stronger and faster, so that’s helped a lot. And you have to, because in the Frontier Conference, you get smacked a lot, so if you can stay on your feet, that really helps. “I’ve also just learned a lot about being a running back during my time here,” he continued. “I’ve had great coaches help me. I’ve learned to be patient, learned to see and wait for holes to open up. I’ve just gained a lot of experience. Plus, I’ve played behind some really good offensive lines, and with a lot of good offensive linemen. So they deserve a lot of the
credit.” Indeed. But, with his desire, his work ethic and his ability to take a pounding and keep running style, McKinley deserves the credit and the accolades he’s getting now. And while he’s sure to break more records as his incredible Northern career marches on, there’s one thing he wants to do above all else – win. And during his tenure at MSU-N, the Lights haven’t been able to do a lot of that. But it’s something he is hoping to help change before his time in the Maroon and Yellow is over, and he says he’ll do whatever it takes to get that done. “I’ve always thought, I would rather be an average player on a great a team, than a great player on a poor team,” McKinley said. “So while it’s nice to get the compliments I do about these records, and it’s something I’m really proud of, I really just want to do anything I can to
Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Montana State University-Northern running back Zach McKinley, left, takes a handoff from quarterback Jess Krahn during a Frontier Conference football game earlier this month at Blue Pony Stadium. McKinley and the Lights are struggling so far this season, but the junior running back is still leading the Frontier in rushing at 117 yards per game. McKinley, who's biggest goal has always been to help Northern win, is on pace to threaten the Frontier's all-time rushing record. He and the Lights are home Saturday to host UM-Western in Northern's homecoming game.
help us win, and help us get better. If that means carrying the ball 40 times and running for 200 yards in a game, fine. If it means blocking or whatever, fine with me. I just want to help this team get better and win. “And we can do that still,” he continued. “We’re a really young team and what we really lack more than anything is experience. We have talent and we have a great group of guys who work hard every day. But we also have a lot of young guys playing college football for the first time, and in this league, that’s not easy. So we just have to keep our heads up, keep moving forward, keep getting better every day, and we’ll get there. And I just want to do whatever I can to help us get there. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do is help this team win football games, any way I can.”
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McKinley: Star running back has broken 14 different school records
McKinley: Despite all the records, McKinley's main goal is to win
n From Page 2
n From Page 6
starting job, and I was motivated to prove that I was the guy. So I just took it and ran with it. And it all worked out.” McKinley did win the starting job and indeed ran with it – to the tune of 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman. And after that, there was never a question about who the starting tailback at MSU-N was. McKinley followed up his thrilling freshman campaign with a recordsetting sophomore season. Last fall, he rushed for a school-record 1,425 yards to go along with 14 touchdowns, another MSU-N rushing record. In eight of 11 games a year ago, McKinley rushed for over 100 yards, and he topped the 200-yard mark twice, including a 222-yard performance on the final day of the season, a win at Rocky Mountain College. In the end, McKinley averaged 130 yards per game and nearly six
yards per carry. Both led the Frontier Conference, and he earned FirstTeam All-Conference honors. The magical season left him within sight of Silva’s all-time rushing record, and now, three games into only his junior season, he has it. And while it was never the goal, there’s no doubt McKinley is proud of what he’s achieved in such a short amount of time. “When I was young, I was always up here watching game, because my brother Luke played here,” McKinley said. “So I saw those great teams. At 12 years old, I idolized the guys on that great 2006 team, and now, it’s pretty cool to be a part of that history. To be mentioned with guys like Donny Saisbury and Justin Moe and (Stephen) Silva, that’s an honor. And it’s something I can always look back and be proud of.” When people look back on the
annals of Northern history, they’re going to McKinley’s name, a lot, and probably forever. That’s because he still has eight games left this season and at least 10 or 11 next to add to his career rushing total. He already holds or is tied for 14 different records at Northern, and he’s nowhere near done. And, with how many games he has left in his already brilliant career, he will likely pass, or at least threaten, many of the long-standing Frontier Conference rushing records as well. But again, that was never McKinley’s goal. And it really still isn’t today. Instead, his goal has been twofold. To be the best he can be, to work hard every day to get there. And, more importantly, to do whatever it takes to help his team win.
n
See McKinley Page 7
Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Montana State University-Northern running back Zach McKinley runs with the ball during a Frontier Conference football game against Montana Tech earlier this month at Blue Pony Stadium. With his 2,875 yards, McKinley moved past former Northern record-holder Stephen Silva as the No. 1 rusher on the Lights' all-time list. The former Great Falls standout has broken or tied 14 different Northern rushing records, and he's done it in just 24 games as MSU-N's lead back. McKinley will look to add to his total on Saturday against UM-Western.
The first goal he said, happened for several reasons, including a growth spurt after high school. “A big part of my success was just developing my body,” he said. “I was 185 pounds when I got here, and now I’m up to 210. I put on a lot of weight. You know, you’re still growing at 1820 years old, and I think during that time, I’ve been able to get bigger, stronger and faster, so that’s helped a lot. And you have to, because in the Frontier Conference, you get smacked a lot, so if you can stay on your feet, that really helps. “I’ve also just learned a lot about being a running back during my time here,” he continued. “I’ve had great coaches help me. I’ve learned to be patient, learned to see and wait for holes to open up. I’ve just gained a lot of experience. Plus, I’ve played behind some really good offensive lines, and with a lot of good offensive linemen. So they deserve a lot of the
credit.” Indeed. But, with his desire, his work ethic and his ability to take a pounding and keep running style, McKinley deserves the credit and the accolades he’s getting now. And while he’s sure to break more records as his incredible Northern career marches on, there’s one thing he wants to do above all else – win. And during his tenure at MSU-N, the Lights haven’t been able to do a lot of that. But it’s something he is hoping to help change before his time in the Maroon and Yellow is over, and he says he’ll do whatever it takes to get that done. “I’ve always thought, I would rather be an average player on a great a team, than a great player on a poor team,” McKinley said. “So while it’s nice to get the compliments I do about these records, and it’s something I’m really proud of, I really just want to do anything I can to
Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Montana State University-Northern running back Zach McKinley, left, takes a handoff from quarterback Jess Krahn during a Frontier Conference football game earlier this month at Blue Pony Stadium. McKinley and the Lights are struggling so far this season, but the junior running back is still leading the Frontier in rushing at 117 yards per game. McKinley, who's biggest goal has always been to help Northern win, is on pace to threaten the Frontier's all-time rushing record. He and the Lights are home Saturday to host UM-Western in Northern's homecoming game.
help us win, and help us get better. If that means carrying the ball 40 times and running for 200 yards in a game, fine. If it means blocking or whatever, fine with me. I just want to help this team get better and win. “And we can do that still,” he continued. “We’re a really young team and what we really lack more than anything is experience. We have talent and we have a great group of guys who work hard every day. But we also have a lot of young guys playing college football for the first time, and in this league, that’s not easy. So we just have to keep our heads up, keep moving forward, keep getting better every day, and we’ll get there. And I just want to do whatever I can to help us get there. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do is help this team win football games, any way I can.”
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MSU-Northern Numerical Roster
UM-Western Numerical Roster No. Name Year 1 Mitch Pelroy JR 2 Joe Coker SR 3 Ben Sulser SR 4 Connor Langel SR 5 Skyler Roope SR 6 Tres Cunningham SO 7 AJ Wilson SR 8 Quinn Chamberlain SR 9 Tyler Murray JR 10 Dylan Kramer SR 11 George Sherwoood SO 12 Connor Lamping JR 13 Charlie Switzer JR 14 Matt Lickfold SR 15 JD Ferris FR 16 Connor Greth JR 17 Bennett Gibson SO 18 MJ Simkins SO 19 Beau Brekke JR 20 Sam Rutherford JR 21 Dakota Pineda SR 22 Chico Stipe JR 23 TJ Leep SR 24 Cory Holcomb JR 25 Taft Benson JR 26 Bubba Keller FR 27 Jay Owens SO 28 Bo Hughes FR 29 Calub Thilmony FR 30 Erik Wilson FR 31 Alex Brunett FR 32 Reno Ward JR 33 Dakota Wainwright SR 34 Riley Martello SO 35 Tim Mundanhiol SO 36 Brad Nordahl JR 37 Scott Mundanhiol SO 38 Michael Bennett SO 39 Zach Janis FR 40 Lane Chadwick FR 41 Dustin Pickens SO 42 Adam Hansen SO 44 Hunter Thomsen SO 45 Scottie Crigler FR 47 Kraig Nelson SO 48 Cody Pierson FR 49 Kolby Tamol FR 50 Jake McElroy FR 51 Caleb Degroot SR 52 Levi Evjene JR 53 Garrett Buck SO 54 Donovan Hucke SO 55 Jammer Halverson FR 58 Jarred Simons SO 61 Connor Schulte FR 63 Shayden Flint SO 64 Wyatt Laakso SO 65 Jaxsen Lyon JR 66 Will Thacker SR 69 Cody Stone-Murphy SO 70 Ty Lahue FR 70 Ty Lahue FR 71 Kylan Putman JR 72 Denzel Maua FR 77 John Munger SO 80 Melvin Walser FR
Pos. DB LB DB DB DB QB LB WR WR RB WR WR TE WR QB K/P QB DB WR RB DB DB RB RB LB DB DB WR LB LB DB DL LB LB WR DB DB LB DB LB DL LB RB TE TE WR DL LB OL DL LB OL LB DL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL WR
Ht. 5-8 6-0 6-0 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-0 5-9 6-3 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-2 5-10 5-8 6-1 5-8 5-10 6-1 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-1 5-7 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-4
Wt. 170 215 175 195 185 170 240 195 175 190 215 185 200 220 170 195 240 165 175 215 185 190 205 210 185 180 185 185 200 195 195 255 245 190 175 180 180 215 170 210 215 190 195 215 170 250 225 270 215 275 235 245 240 280 230 280 291 255 250 240 240 290 190
Hometown Coupeville, Wash. Helena, Mont. Billings, Mont. Helena, Mont. Helena, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Helena, Mont. Helena, Mont. Hamilton, Mont. Laurel, Mont. Kalispell, Mont. Helena, Mont. Richey, Mont. Post Falls, Idaho Dillon, Mont. Minden Nev. Mount Vernon, Wash. Dillon, Mont. Salmon, Idaho Great Falls, Mont. Idaho Falls, Idaho Charlo, Mont. Bozeman, Mont. Big Timber, Mont. Libby, Mont. Billings, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Whitefish, Mont. Fernley, Nev. Clancy, Mont. Deer Lodge, Mont. Palmer, Alaska Bozeman, Mont. Boulder, Mont. Frenchtown, Mont. Boulder, Mont. Seattle, Wash. Yakima, Wash. Clancy, Mont. Warden, Wash. Great Falls, Mont. Billings, Mont. Libby, Mont. Twin Bridges, Mont. East Helena, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Blackfoot, Idaho Dillon, Mont. Helena, Mont. Laurel, Mont. Butte, Mont. Puyallup, Wash. Bozeman, Mont. Idaho Falls, Idaho Winnemucca, Nev. Laurel, Mont. Nine Mile Falls, Wash. Billings, Mont. Billings, MT Meridian, Idaho Mount Vernon, Wash.
No. Name Year 81 Jonah Lehmann SO 82 Christian Hanser SO 83 Matt Furhman SO 84 Cody Connolly FR 85 Kristopher Cleveland FR 86 Joseph Lilio FR 87 Justin Sullivan SO 88 Tristan Clark FR 89 Jon Verlanic SO 93 Seth Mason JR 94 Andrew Gilpin SR 95 Tyrell Penner SO 96 Hunter Mullin FR 99 Conlan Smith FR
Pos. WR WR WR WR WR TE WR WR WR P/K DL DL DL DL
Ht. 6-3 5-10 5-7 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2
Wt. 200 180 165 170 160 195 200 185 175 200 255 270 300
Hometown Bozeman, Mont. Broadview, Mont. Billings, Mont. Billings, Mont. Hamilton, Mont. Kaneohe, Hawaii Valier, Mont. Deer Lodge, Mont. Laurel, Mont. Hamilton, Mont. Kalispell, Mont. Salmon, Idaho Bonneville, Wash.
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No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 53 55 56 58 60 61 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79
Name
Pos. Ht. Wt.
Garrett Jericoff DB Tucker Dunn LB Malcolm Manuel DB Jonathan McGinnis LB Herman Smith QB Myvon Rawlings DB Jesse Morales LB Alex Rodriguez DB Jake Day WR Jess Krahn QB Garet Fowler LB Malachi Flores WR Holden Maki QB J.R. Finai WR Joseph DeLaCruz WR Jake Messerly WR Nathan Loutzenhiser QB Bowe McKay WR Qwaundre Yancy WR Logan Sprouse DB Mario Gobbato RB Colton Boyle QB Zach McKinley RB Traejun Foard DB Quintan Boos DB Denzel Hamiel DB Zach Crace RB Kaden Barrus DB Felix Ramirez DB Casey Keen DB Sherman Arthur DB Brooks Dunn LB Garret Severson LB Dakota Schelling LB Corey Lee DB N'Drain "David" N'GuessaLB Lane Foster RB Kyle Watson FB Gabriel Benavidez FB Tovati "TJ" Gasetoto Jr. LB Jonathan Gragg LB Paxton Maki LB Wyatt McKinlay FB Michael McKeen LB Kyle Williams DB Jordan Brusio DL Jace Billy DL Jaime Toscano K Kyle Martinez LB Alec Wagner LB Austin Rychner DL Mitchell Harmon DL Dace Fisher DL Adolfo Robles OL Jacob Folk OL Elijah Dennison DL Justin Ratzburg OL Trenton Woodward OL Dale Cummings OL Trevor Frandsen DL Adam Ayala DL Salesi Koloamatangi DL Brennan Lewis OL Robert Johnson OL Ryan Handley OL Diamond Pedro OL Jeremy Eisenmann OL Dylan Schmidt OL Clint Willis OL Casey Cleveland OL Pete Morales OL Matthew McKeen OL Jaxon Simonson OL
5'9" 6'1" 5'9" 6'1" 6'5" 6'0" 6'0" 6'2" 5'10" 6'3" 5'10" 5'10" 5'9" 6'2" 5'8" 6'1" 6'0" 6'3" 5'7" 5'11" 5'8" 6'0" 5'10" 6'0" 6'0" 6'3" 5'9" 5'9" 5'9" 5'8" 6'1" 5'10" 5'11" 6'0" 5'10" 6'0" 5'10" 6'1" 5'10" 6'0" 6'2" 6'0" 5'10" 5'10" 6'1" 6'1" 6'0" 5'8" 6'0" 5'11" 5'10" 6'1" 6'1" 6'2" 6'4" 6'2" 6'0" 6'5" 6'1" 5'11" 6'3" 6'0" 6'2" 6'1" 6'3" 6'3" 6'3" 6'4" 6'6" 6'1" 6'3" 6'2" 6'3"
195 225 170 205 215 165 210 205 165 220 205 165 170 215 160 215 190 225 160 170 185 200 205 185 205 210 170 170 190 160 170 190 170 185 175 190 180 220 250 215 210 165 205 215 205 230 210 210 240 210 230 245 195 270 335 245 280 240 330 230 260 235 310 250 230 310 250 275 280 265 295 290 280
Yr. JR JR SR JR SO FR JR FR SO SO SO FR FR SO FR JR FR FR FR JR JR FR JR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR JR SO FR SO JR FR FR FR JR FR FR FR SO FR SO JR FR JR JR FR JR SO FR JR SO FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR JR FR FR FR FR JR SR FR
Hometown
Hilmar High School, Calif. Hamilton High School, Ariz. Golden West College, Calif. Dickinson State, N.D. Colorado State University Silverado High School, Calif. La Habre High School, Calif. Canyon Springs High School Irvine High School, Calif. Hockinson High School, Wash. Belgrade High School, Mont. Vasquez High School, Calif. Belt High School, Mont. Kearns High School, Utah Farmersville High School, Calif. Missoula Sentinel High School, Sandpoint High School, Idaho W.F. High School, Wash. Sahuaro High School, Ariz. Allan Hancock, Calif. Blaine High School, Wash. Sammamish High School CM Russell High School, Mont. Basha High School, Ariz. Malta High School, Mont. Prairie High School, Wash. Libby High School, Mont. Gooding High School, Idaho Sammamish High School,. Cascade High School, Mont. Los Angeles Southwest, Calif. Hamilton High School, Ariz. White River High School. Churchhill County High School College of the Canyons, Calif. Kent High School, Wash. Hot Springs High School, Mont. Lambert High School, Mont. Merced Junior College, Calif. Washington High Hellgate High School, Mont. Belt High School, Mont. Geraldine High School, Mont. Freedom High School, Calif. Desert Oasis High School, Calif. Billings West High School Havre High School, Mont. Citrus College, Calif. City College of San Francisco Laurel High School, Mont. Carter County High School Citrus College, Calif. Sidney High School, Mont. Garces Memorial High School Harlem JR/SR High School Enumclaw High School, Wash. Conrad High School, Mont. Three Forks High School, Mont. Cochran High School, AB Missoula Big Sky High School Prairie High School, Wash. Hamilton High School, Ariz. Churchill County High School Stevensville High School, Idaho Hellgate High School, Mont. College of the Siskiyous, Calif. Missoula Sentinel High School Lakeside High School, Wash. Gardiner High School, Mont. CM Russell High School, Mont. La Habra High School, Calif. Freedom High School, Calif. North Star High School, Mont.
No. 80 85 87 88 89 90 91 92 94 95 99
Name
Logan Mayernik Kagen Khamaneh Jordan Pugh Seth Roemmele Dillon Barnes Patrick Barnett Tyler Craig Lane Urick Linnwood Kirkland Josh Loutzenhiser Jefferson Aumua
Pos. Ht. Wt.
WR TE TE WR P DL DL DL DL DL DL
5'11" 6'3" 6'5" 6'0" 6'0" 6'2" 6'2" 6'1" 6'0" 6'1" 6'3"
180 225 220 190 160 265 230 285 260 255 340
Yr. JR SO FR FR JR JR JR JR JR SO SR
Hometown
Carterville High School, Mont. Missoula Sentinel High School Wilson High School, Wash. Willow Creek High School, AB Citrus College, Calif. Billings West High School CM Russell High School, Mont. Great Falls High School, Mont. Waldrof College, Iowa Sandpoint High School, Idaho College of the Siskiyous, Calif.
2015 Montana State University-Northern Football Staff Aaron Christensen, head coach; Jake Eldridge, defensive coordinator, strength & conditioning; Cody O'Neil, offensive line, recruiting coordinator; Jorge Magana, defensive line; Arthur Smith, linebackers; Matt Stevens, running backs; Chuck Terry, wide receivers; Darold DeBolt, defensive line, special teams; Dylan Murphy, tight ends, offensive line. Athletic Director: Christian Oberquell; Certified Athletic Trainer: Nichole Borst; Sports Information: Nicole Yazzie.
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MSU-Northern Offensive Starters
UM-Western Defensive Starters
MSU-N 2014 Offensive Numbers
UM-W Defensive Numbers
Scoring: 5 ppg, last in Frontier Total offense: 235 ypg, last in Frontier
Jake Messerly #17, 6-1, 195 Receiver
Mitch Pelroy #1, 5-8, 170 Cornerback
Rush offense: 158 ypg, 5th in Frontier
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MSU-Northern Defensive Starters
UM-W Offensive Numbers
MSU-N Defensive Numbers
Scoring: 13 ppg, 2nd in Frontier
Scoring: 40 ppg, last in Frontier
Total defense: 351 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Total defense: 414 ypg, 6th in Frontier
Rush defense: 134 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Rush defense: 189 ypg, 6th in Frontier
Scoring: 37 ppg, 2nd in Frontier Malcolm Manuel #3, 5-9, 170 Cornerback
Aaron Christensen enters his first season as the Head Football Coach of Montana State UniversityNorthern. He brings with him a decade of coaching experience at the NAIA level. From 2012 to 2014, Coach Christensen served as the Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator for Missouri Valley College (MVC).
Adolfo Robles #58, 6-2, 270 Offensive line
Jess Krahn #8, 6-3, 220 Quarterback
Matt McKeen #78, 6-2,290 Center
Andrew Gilpin #94, 6-3, 255 Defensive line
Tyler Craig #91, 6-2, 245 Defensive end T.J. Benson #25, 5-10, 185 Linebacker
Tucker Dunn
#2, 6-1, 225 Linebacker
Tyrell Penner #98, 6-3, 270 Nose tackle
Jacob Folk #60, 6-4, 335 Offensive line
Reno Ward #32, 6-2, 255 Defensive line
Logan Sprouse #21, 5-11, 170 Safety
A.J. Wilson #7, 6-1, 235 Linebacker
Lane Urick #92, 6-1, 285 Defensive tackle GaretFowler #12, 5-10, 205 Linebacker
Joe Coker #2, 6-0, 215 Linebacker Jay Owens #27, 6-0, 185 Safety
Gabe Benavidez #40, 5-10, 250 Fullback
Garrett Jericoff #1, 5-9, 165 Safety
Patrick Barnett #90, 6-2, 265 Defensive tackle Jesse Morales #7, 6-0, 210 Linebacker
Jordan Brusio #47, 5-11, 240 Defensive end
Pete Morales #77, 6-3, 295 Offensive line
Jaime Toscano #49, 5-8, 210 Kicker
Jake Day #10, 5-10, 185 Receiver
B.J. Robertson Western Head Coach
Will Thacker #66, 6-1, 290 Offensive line
Shayden Flint #63, 6-1, 280 Offensive line
J.D. Ferris #15, 6-0, 170 Quarterback
Sam Rutherford #20, 6-1, 215 Running back
Donovan Hucke #54, 6-0, 275 Offensive line
Kyle Putman #71, 6-3, 265 Offensive line Matt Fuhrman
Dakota Wainright #33, 5-11, 230 Linebacker
#83, 5-7, 190 Receiver
Matt Lickfold #14, 6-2, 220 Tight end
Kagen Khameneh #85, 6-3, 225 Tight end Dillon Barnes #89, 6-0, 160 Punter
Total offense: 340 ypg,5th in Frontier
Caleb DeGroot #51, 6-3, 275 Offensive line
Ben Sulser #3, 6-0, 187 Safety
Zach McKinley #24, 5-11, 210 Running Back
Quinn Chamberlain #8, 6-2, 195 Receiver
Rushing: 192 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Clint Willis #75, 6-6, 280 Offensive line
Aaron Christensen MSU-N Head Coach
UM-Western Offensive Starters
Dakota Pineda #21, 5-8, 185 Cornerback
Myvon Rawlings #6, 6-0, 185 Safety
Tyler Murray #9, 6-0, 170 Receiver
Connor Greth
#16, 6-2, 195 Kicker
George Sherwood
#11, 6-3, 215 Punter
The 2015 season is BJ Robertson's third season as the head coach for Montana Western. Before coming back to Montana Western, Robertson had a successful career as an assistant coach in programs at Rocky Mountain College, Southern Oregon, and Rockford College. Robertson served as assistant head coach, strength and conditioning coach, recruiting coordinator, special teams and position coach on both sides of the ball.
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MSU-Northern Rewind
Rocky shuts out MSU-Northern Lights struggle in first Frontier Conference road game
George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com If the Montana State UniversityNorthern Lights are going to break out for their first win of the 2015 season, they’re going to have to wait another week. Because the Rocky Mountain College Battlin’ Bears were having none of it. RMC shut out the Lights 46-0 Saturday at Herb Klindt Field in Billings, sending Northern to an 0-3 start to the season. The Lights also fell to 0-2 in the Frontier Conference. And while Northern played the Battlin’ Bears (2-1, 1-1) tough in the numbers game, it was the scoreboard that mattered in the end. The Lights rushed for 148 yards, including 103 yards from Zach McKinley, who officially broke MSU-N’s all-time rushing record on Saturday. But Northern, which came in averaging just 13 points per game, couldn’t get the ball in the end zone. On the flip side, the Bears raced out to a 11-0 first quarter lead, and things got worse from there. When Chase White hit Andre McCullouch for a 36-yard touchdown pass, the Lights were down 21-0 with 11:41 still to play in the first half. RMC would tack on a third Evan Connolly field goal and a 2-yard score from Jade Olson to take a 31-0 lead into intermission. MSU-N’s defense would stiffen in the second half, but the Lights’ could never crack the board on offense, and a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown in the final quarter capped a big day on both sides of the ball for RMC. The Lights would finish the game with just 244 total yards of offense, with Mario Gobatto adding 70 yards on the ground. But it was another rough day for sophomore quarterback Jess Krahn, who completed 10 passes for 86 yards with one pick and no scores. Jake Messerly led all Northern receivers with four catches for 33 yards, but the passing game was hampered by the fact that Krahn was sacked 10 times by the RMC defense. On the flip side of the ball, the Lights allowed 400 yards of offense, but did force the Bears into four field goal tries. Olson rushed for 72 yards, while McCullouch had four grabs for 91 yards. The Lights did get six sacks, including two from Billings native Jordan Brusio, as well as Tyler Craig’s fourth sack of the season.
Frontier Conference Standings
Montana Tech UM-Western Rocky Mountain Carroll College Southern Oregon College of Idaho MSU-Northern Eastern Oregon
Conf. WL 2-0 2-0 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 0-2 0-2
Overall WL 2-0 2-0 2-1 1-1 1-1 1-2 0-3 0-3
Saturday, Sept. 12 Rocky Mountain 46, MSU-Northern 0 UM-Western 24, College of Idaho 20 Montana Tech 19, Carroll College 10 Southern Oregon 38, Eastern Oregon 35 Saturday MSU-Northern vs UM-Western Rocky Mountain at Carroll College Montana Tech at Eastern Oregon Southern Oregon at College of Idaho
Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Seth Rommele and the Lights are in search of their first win of 2015 when they host the UM-Western Bulldogs for homecoming on Saturday.
Jesse Morales had seven stops, as did Craig. Now, Northern will look to regroup, but it won’t be easy as the Lights come home to host the unbeaten and nationally ranked UM-Western Bulldogs for homecoming. Northern’s homecoming game will kick off at 1 p.m. this Saturday at Blue Pony Stadium.
NAIA Coaches Poll
Rec. Pts Prv.
1. Marian (Ind.) (15) 2-0 2. Morningside (Iowa) 2-0 3. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 2-0 4. Southern Oregon 1-1 5. Faulkner (Ala.) 2-0 6. Baker (Kan.) 3-0 7. Carroll (Mont.) 1-1 8. Saint Xavier (Ill.) 2-1 9. Northwestern (Iowa) 2-0 10. Grand View (Iowa) 2-1 11. Robert Morris (Ill.) 2-0 12. William Penn (Iowa) 2-1 13. Missouri Valley 2-1
340 327 312 276 274 272 268 257 246 223 197 183 180
1 3 7 1 10 15 t4 t4 12 6 20 19 9
14. Doane (Neb.)
2-0
164 22
15. Montana Tech
2-0
155 NR
16. Valley City State
2-1
120 17
17. Saint Francis (Ind.) 2-0
90
NR
18. Benedictine (Kan.)
2-1
88
25
19. Montana Western 2-0
86
NR
20. Webber International 2-1
81
24
21. MidAmerica Naz.
1-2
74
8
22. Dakota Wesleyan
3-0
61
NR
23. Langston (Okla.)
1-1
60
18
24. Tabor (Kan.)
1-1
54
22
24. Reinhardt (Ga.)
2-0
54
NR
Others receiving votes: : Ottawa (Kan.) 40; Georgetown (Ky.) 35; Siena Heights (Mich.) 11; Eastern Oregon 9; Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 6; Kansas Wesleyan 3.
Frontier Conference Individual Leaders 2015 Week Four
Passing: Mac Roche, CC, 225 ypg Receiving: A. McCullouch, RMC, 96 ypg Receptions: Alec Bray, MT, 7 cpg Rushing: Zach McKinley, MSU-N 117 ypg Tackles: Gary Posten, EOU 40 Sacks: Reno Ward, UM-W, 4 sacks INT's: A.J. Wilson, UM-W, 3 ints
Lights Coaching Staff
fail), 8:01. MSUN Rocky First downs Rushes-yards Passing Passing yards Total yards Fumbles-lost Penalties-yards
15 44-148 10-20-1 86 244 2-2 6-64
21 60-158 17-25-0 252 400 0-0 3-25
Rocky Mountain 46, MSU Northern 0 MSU Northern 0 0 0 0 — 0 Rocky Mountain 11 20 6 9 — 46 First quarter RMC: Jade Olson 7 run (Jacob Bakken run), 8:43. RMC: Evan Connolly 22 field goal, 2:46. Second quarter RMC: Connolly 40 field goal, 13:45. RMC: Andre McCullouch 36 pass from Chase White (Connolly kick), 11:48. RMC: Connolly 23 field goal, 8:41. RMC: Olson 2 run (Connolly kick), 1:27. Third quarter RMC: Kodee Varner 1 run (run fail), 4:19. Fourth quarter RMC: Connolly 33 field goal, 10:34. RMC: Jared Gallatin 44 interception return (kick
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Northern: Zach McKinley 24-103, Mario Gobbato 22-70, Kagen Khamaneh 1-31, Qwaundre Yancy 1-1, Jake Messerly 1-1, Bowe McKay 1-(minus 1), Jess Krahn 10-(minus-47). Rocky: Jade Olson 12-72, Conner Cerkovnik 5-37, Kodee Varner 11-25, Jacob Bakken 7-17, Dylan Woodhall 1-14, Team 1-0, Tyrell McGee 1-(minus 2), Chase White 6-(minus 15). PASSING — Northern: Jess Krahn 10-20-86-1. Rocky: Chase White 12-16-213-0, Jacob Bakken 5-9-39-0. RECEIVING — Northern: Jake Day 2-36, Jake Messerly 4-33, Seth Roemmele 1-12, Zach McKinley 1-4, Kagen Khamaneh 1-3, Qwaundre Yancy 1-(minus 2). Rocky: Andre McCullouch 4-91, Tyrell McGee 2-54, Rodd Wohlfeil 3-32, Jade Olson 1-30, Jamyca Wallace 2-14, Eric Buer 1-11, Michael Robinson 1-6, Zane Guse 1-6, Kodee Varner 1-5, Dylan Woodhall 1-3.
Jim Potter The 2015 Montana State University-Northern coaching staff. Back row, left to right, Jorge Magana, Dylan Murphy, Aaron Christensen, Cody O'Neil and Matt Stevens. Front row, left to right, Arthur Smith, Chuck Terry, Jake Eldridge and Darold DeBolt.
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Record Setter
In just 24 games and less than three seasons, Zach McKinley is already the greatest running back in Northern history George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
Zach McKinley never thought about setting records, not in high school or college. In fact, there was a time when all McKinley wanted to do was be handed the football as a starting running back. Now however, three games into his junior season at Montana State University-Northern, McKinley doesn’t have to worry about
getting the ball. He totes it plenty as MSUN’s starting tailback for the third straight season. And while records still aren’t foremost on his mind, or his goal sheet, records are exactly what McKinley had. And he has a lot of them. Last Saturday in Billings, McKinley rushed for 103 yards against Rocky Mountain College, and the biggest rushing record at Northern fell with that performance. McKinley now has 2,875 career rushing yards at Northern, which puts him atop the school’s all-time list. With his 350 yards this season, which leads the Frontier Conference, McKinley passed former Northern great Stephen Silva, who set the career mark, previously held by Justin Moe, with 2,856 yards from 2009-2012. But again, that was never McKinley’s goal. Never a starter as a high school running back, McKinley came to Northern to compete for the Lights’ job in 2012. But a foot
injury sidelined him for that entire season. The following fall, he was healthy again, but he had competition at the tailback position. And again, at that time, records were the furthest things from his mind. “I came up here expecting and hoping to play and contribute right away,” McKinley said. “But I had the foot injury and had to red-shirt. The next year, my goal was really just to be the starting running back and help this team any way I could. I never thought about records or yards or anything like that. At that time, coach (Mark) Samson told me I’d get every opportunity to compete for the
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Havre Daily News/File Photo Montana State University-Northern running back Zach McKinley has already broke 14 different rushing records as a Light. Last Saturday, he became the Lights all-time leading rusher, and he's just three games into his junior season.
MSU-Northern Lights vs Montana-Western Montana State University-Northern
2014 record: 6-5 (6-4)
Location: Havre, Mont.
Head coach: Aaron Christensen
Nickname: Lights
Stadium: Blue Pony Stadium
Colors: Maroon and Yellow
Streak: The Lights are on a three-game losing streak to start the 2015 season.
2015 record: 0-3 (0-2)
Saturday, September 19, 2015 Blue Pony Stadium ~ 1 p.m. University of Montana-Western Location: Dillon, Mont. Nickname: Bulldogs Colors: Red and Black 2015 record: 2-0 (2-0)
2014 record: 1-9 (1-9)
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UM-Western, Tech start red hot George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
Now it’s official. Montana State University-Northern running back Zach McKinley is indeed Northern’s all-time leading rusher. Last Saturday, McKinley rushed for 103 yards against the Rocky Mountain College Battlin’ Bears, and when he reached the 85-yard mark in the game at Herb Klindt Field in Billings, he officially became Northern’s all-time leading rusher. McKinley now has 350 yards in three games this season, which gives him 2,875 yards in his career. That mark surpasses former Northern great Stephen Silva, who rushed for 2,856 yards from 20092012. Becoming Northern’s all-time leading rusher is a big feat, but what makes it more amazing is, McKinley did it in just 24 games.
That gives him a career average of 120 yards per game, and it also shows that no Frontier Conference team has really ever been able to slow down the former Great Falls prep standout. And, with eight games left in his junior season, and another 10 or 11 at least in his senior year, McKinley will leave a rushing mark at Northern that will likely never, ever be equaled. Not to mention, the Frontier Conference rushing record might just be in jeopardy too. McKinley now holds 12 different Northern rushing records, and he’ll look to add to his total this Saturday in MSU-N’s annual homecoming game. But, that feat will be difficult as Northern comes into the game
struggling mightily on offense, and now has to face a stout UM-Western defense. In the Bulldogs’ 2-0 start, they’re allowing just 13 points and 133 yards on the ground per game. A big part of that is Western’s talented linebacking core, led by seniors A.J. Wilson and Joe Coker. The former Helena Capital duo have been wreaking havoc on opposing offenses for years, and they did so again last weekend, when they held the potent College of Idaho rushing attack to a mere 141 yards on the ground. So no doubt, if Northern is going to get its offense on track, it will have to do so against one of the best run defenses, and one of the best all-around defenses in the Frontier Conference.
Today in the Frontier Conference No. 19 MontanaWestern Bulldogs (2-0, 2-0)
At Montana State University-Northern Lights (0-3, 0-2)
Head coach: B.J. Robertson Stadium: Vigilante Field Streak: The Bulldogs have won four straight against the Lights, including two wins last season.
No. 4 Southern Oregon (1-1, 1-1) at College of Idaho (1-1, 1-2) in Caldwell, Idaho Rocky Mountain College (1-1, 2-1) at No. 7 Carroll College (1-1, 1-1) in Helena, Mont.
No. 15 Montana Tech (2-0, 2-0) at Eastern Oregon (0-2, 0-3) in LaGrande, Ore.
2015 Frontier Conference Coaches Preseason Poll 1. Carroll College 2. Southern Oregon 3. Eastern Oregon 4. Rocky Moutain 5. UM-Western 6. College of Idaho 7. Montana Tech 8.MSU-Northern
Welcome to the Poll Speaking of the Bulldogs’ earlyseason success, they’re not alone, and they’re being rewarded for it. The Bulldogs and Montana Tech have started a surprising 2-0 in the Frontier, and both teams made leaps into the first NAIA Coaches Poll of the season.
Havre Daily News Week Four Frontier Power Rankings 1. Montana Tech 2. UM-Western 3. Carroll College 4. Southern Oregon 5. Rocky Mountain College 6. Eastern Oregon 7. College of Idaho 8. MSU-Northern
While Western moved in at No. 19 after beating Rocky Mountain College and C of I, Montana Tech, which was picked to finish seventh in the league this season, moved into the poll at No. 15. Tech opened its season to weeks ago with a win at Northern, but the big blow came
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last Saturday when the Orediggers knocked off then No. 4 Carroll College, 19-10 in Butte. The win was just Tech’s second against Carroll in the last 21 meetings, and it put the Orediggers and the Bulldogs atop the Frontier standings together. Carroll and Southern Oregon however, are still the top Frontier teams in the new poll. The Raiders lost to Carroll to open the season, but survived a scare from Eastern Oregon last Saturday. SOU started the season ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, but dropped to No. 4 in the new poll. Following the loss to the Orediggers, Carroll dipped to No. 7 in this week’s poll. Eastern Oregon, which started the year ranked No. 13, dropped out of the Top 25 after a third straight loss to open the season. But the Mounties are still getting respect in the NAIA poll, as they, and the Rocky Mountain College Battlin’ Bears received votes in this week’s poll. Needing a W Speaking of the Mounties, they certainly didn’t think they’d find themselves looking for their first win of the season this late into September. But that’s where EOU sits heading into Saturday’s home game with Mon-
tana Tech. Of course, two of EOU’s three losses came at the hands of some pretty darn good teams. Two weeks ago, the Mounties moved up to play Big Sky Conference member Sacramento State, then, they lost a heartbreaker to arch rival SOU last Saturday. Still, EOU’s once high playoff hopes are already fading, and an 0-4 start would be a disaster. But to avoid that start, the Mounties will have to beat the hottest team in perhaps the NAIA, the Orediggers. Tech comes to Community Stadium in LaGrande, Oregon Saturday riding high after its stunning win over Carroll, and while Quinn McQueary and the Oredigger offense is shining right now, it’s the Tech defense that’s really braking through. After two wins to start the season, Tech is leading the Frontier in nearly every defensive category. The Diggers are allowing a meager nine points per game, they are giving up just 233 yards of offense per outing and are allowing just 84.5 yards rushing. And those rushing numbers come having already faced Northern’s McKinley and Carroll, which is known to be a great running team with a great offensive line. So, if Tech’s trend continues, it could spell
trouble for the Mounties this Saturday, and trouble for the rest of the Frontier all season long. Early Leaders While McKinley once again leads the Frontier in rushing, others are starting to shine early this season as well. Despite a rough outing last Saturday, Carroll’s Mac Roche leads the conference with 225 passing yards per game, while Tech’s Alec Bray leads the league in receiving with seven catches per outing. EOU’s Gary Posten leads the Frontier in tackles with 40, while Northern’s Tyler Craig and Western’s Reno Ward each have four sacks, which is tops in the Frontier. Awards UM-Western freshman quarterback J.D. Ferris was named the Frontier Offensive Player of the Week. In Western’s 24-20 season conference win over College of Idaho, Ferris was 15 of 30 passing for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His lone touchdown pass was the game-winner thrown with just 18 seconds remaining in game. He also rushed 19 times
for 166 yards and one touchdown. Also nominated and listed in alphabetical order; Calvin Conners of Eastern Oregon, Teejay Gordon of College of Idaho, Jade Olsen of Rocky Mountain College, Nolan Saraceni of Montana Tech and Tanner Trosin of Southern Oregon. Western senior linebacker A.J. Wilson was named the Defensive Player of the Week. Wilson recorded nine unassisted tackles, two assisted tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception. Also nominated and listed in alphabetical order; Tyler Gaviak of Montana Tech, Jared Jensen of Eastern Oregon, Jordan Kessen of Rocky Mountain College, Nate Moore of College of Idaho, Kyle Smith of Carroll College. SOU kicker Marcus Montana earned Special Teams Player of the Week. In Southern’s 38-35 come-from behind win, Montano, a truefreshman, kicked the game-winning 27-yard field goal with just four seconds remaining in the game. It completed a come-back where SOU had trailed 35-14 with a minute left to play in third quarter. Also nominated: Matt Berg of Montana Tech, Hartvig Bondo of College of Idaho, Evan Connolly of Rocky Mountain College and Colter Hamel of Carroll College.
Havre Daily News/Roger Miller Montana State University-Northern's Logan Sprouse, right, brings down a Montana Tech receiver during a Frontier Conference game at Blue Pony Stadium Sept. 5. The Lights return home to face the nationally-ranked UM-Western Bulldogs on Saturday at 1 p.m.