The MSU Northern Lights football team had their first game this season on North Dakota soil Saturday, as they faced the Mayville State Comets.
The Lights took the early strike on a 1-yard rush from Roman Bradley about halfway through the first quarter, with the point after giving Northern the 7-0 edge. The Comets were able to match at the 3:17 mark, putting the game at 7-7 after one.
Mayville was able to score again early in the second to move up 14-7. Things went dormant until 35 seconds before halftime, when Kellen O’Neal threw for a pick 6 by D’Anthony Thompson, which would be the first of three Thompson interceptions. The Comets carried the 21-7 advantage to the locker room.
The third quarter saw the Lights spark on another 1-yard rushing score by Bradley early in the third, and a 33 yard field goal by Tate O’Neal with 2:26 in the period, cutting the Mayville lead to 21-17 to end three. The field goal became the final scoring for either team on the day, putting the 21-17 in the win column for the Comets.
Northern put in plenty of effort, with the biggest bane for the Lights being penalties, losing 114 yards on 13 whistles.
Northern looks to return to Tilleman Field next Saturday to host the Rocky Mountain Battlin’ Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on KPQX.
