Lights thump Blue Hawks on homecoming

Last month, the Montana State University-Northern Lights managed just 14 points in a road win at Dickinson State. On Saturday afternoon, the Lights scored that many points in just three minutes. On a sunny homecoming day at Blue Pony Stadium, the Lights trounced the visiting Dickinson State Blue Hawks 49-24, improving to 3-1 on the season.

Northern scored on its opening drive, a long touchdown run by Zach McKinley. Then, on DSU's opening drive, David Arteaga scooped up a Blue Hawks fumble and returned it for a TD, giving the Lights a 14-0 lead three minutes into the contest.

DSU rallied to tie the game at 14-14, but the Lights scored 14 unanswered points in the second quarter to lead 28-14, and another 14 in the fourth quarter to put the Blue Hawks away for good.

McKinley scored twice and rushed for 117 yards, while Derek Lear threw TD passes to Orin Johnson, Lavorick Williams and Brandt Montelius, and the MSU-N defense got three turnovers as the Lights swept the Blue Hawks in the season series.

The win gives Northern a boost as it heads on to the road for three straight Frontier games. The Lights are at UM-Western next Saturday, and won't play in Havre again until Oct. 26.

For complete coverage, see Monday's Havre Daily News.