Havre, MT – MSU-Northern football kept it close against Carroll in the season opener but the Saints left with a shoutout victory.
Montana State University-Northern dropped their season opener 20-0 against the Carroll College Saints but some bright spots were seen on the defensive side of the ball.
Carroll College entered Havre as the 25th ranked team in the country and coming off a 7-3 season. While the lights entered the game of the heels of a 1-9 season in 2024.
The lights defense held Carroll to 20 points, forced an interception, and secured three sacks.
Newly cemented defensive coordinator, and former MSU-Northern All-American Dylan Wampler, spoke to the noticeable improvement from last year to this year.
“It’s the communication is what I really appreciate more. We got little bit older team now, not a bunch of freshman sophomores out there, we got guys that have been playing for a couple years, so I’d say that’s the biggest improvement.” Wampler Said.
The lights defense only gave up 99 rushing yards in the season opener. Coach Wampler knows that performance game from mindset and leadership of his defensive line. “In their own meeting rooms and stuff, they always tell themselves they wanna be the nastiest meanest people on the field.” Said Coach Wampler. “I think they go about that every day, going about it in practice to preparation of the game, to watching film and they took it upon themselves to be that mean nasty group and so shout out to the older guys on that and taking the younger guys with them on it.” Said Coach Wampler.
The lights are on the road this weekend at Montana Western in Dillion. Kickoff is at 1p.m. and you can listen on KPQX.
