MSU-Northern Lights football came away with a (31-10) loss in the Frontier Conference opener against Arizona Christian on Saturday afternoon. Northern had multiple chances to go down the field and tie the ballgame in the second half, but the key play was a 4th down and 3 with the Firestorm stuffing Mason Dionne and not allowing him to convert deep in ACU territory.
The Firestorm got out to a (17-0) halftime lead, but the Lights responded with a defensive stop and a touchdown drive. Ashton Platt found Colter Woldstad in the end zone from 15 yards out and Northern added a field goal to make it (17-10). After another change of possession, the Lights found themselves at the Arizona Christian 26-yard line and were unable to convert a 4th down with 11:42 left to go.
Following the huge defensive stop by ACU, the Firestorm were able to score two touchdowns to break away and get their first win of the season.
Dionne led the way with 19 carries and 109 rushing yards. Andreas VanDiest and Spencer Lehnerz each had an interception for the Lights, while Michael Watkins recovered a fumble.
Northern football (0-3) will have its second and final bye of the season this coming week before hitting the road to play Carroll in Helena on Oct. 5.
