Northern Game Day: Master of the Sack

There hasn't been much to celebrate this season when it comes to the Montana State University-Northern football team. However, one thing everyone associated with Lights' football can be proud of has been the play of Tyler Craig.

Craig, who is in his junior season for the Lights after coming to Northern from CMR high school in Great Falls, is putting together an impressive campaign, and even though MSU-N is 0-7, Craig continues to shine.

"We are just working as hard as we can to try and get that win," Craig said. "That would mean a lot if we could get at least one or maybe two. It's been difficult at times but we have stayed together and I think we are getting better every single week."

Craig and the Lights will get the chance to end their winless streak Saturday when Northern hosts 2-5 Eastern Oregon at Blue Pony Stadium and if they are going to pull the upset - it's safe to say it will take a herculean effort from Craig and the defense.

Of course, whenever Craig is on the field he brings his best effort, which is one of the reasons why he has become such a great player. Moreover, when it comes to the Frontier Conference there are few, if any players that make more plays in the backfield than Craig.

Craig came to Northern as an undersized defensive lineman. Yet after putting time in the weight room to bulk up, he has become not only a great run defender but an elite pass-rusher as well.

Craig burst on the scene in 2013 with 35 tackles, four sacks and eight tackles for loss. Then last season he was even better. In an effort that eventually earned him Second-Team All-Frontier honors, Craig racked up 51 tackles, 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. His breakout season also earned him the reputation as one the best defensive players in the conference and that is a billing he has worked hard to live up to.

"If I was to use one word to sum up Tyler it would relentless," Northern defensive coordinator Jake Eldridge said. "Everything that he does is at 100 miles an hour. He is trying to do everything he can to make us successful and when he comes to work every day he gives 110 percent in everything that he does.

"When he came here, he was undersized and needed to bulk up," Eldridge added. "But he worked really hard and now he is one of the best defensive lineman in the Frontier. He's strong and he's really athletic and that makes it really hard for guys to get their hands on him."

With high expectations placed upon him to start the season, Craig has done more than live up to those expectations - he has exceeded them. Through seven games, the fiery defensive end has rampaged through the league to the tune of 53 tackles, seven sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. Those numbers are not only good enough to be among the leaders in the Frontier but also the entire NAIA.

Craig's seven sacks have him tied atop the Frontier but that number is also good enough to be fifth in the nation. He also ranks in the top 30 in the NAIA in sacks per game, tackles for loss and tackles for loss per game.

"It's been my goal every year to try and lead the Frontier in sacks," Craig said. "Obviously the team goals are more important and it sounds weird talking about individual goals but I figure that if I am doing well, it's better for the team."

In addition to leading the Frontier in sacks, another goal of Craig's this season is to work his way onto the First-Team All-Frontier Defensive Team - an honor that eluded him a season ago. And one thing that will play in his favor is his ability to play and dominate on all three downs-against both the run and the pass-something that is becoming more and more rare among defensive ends.

"He brings a lot of versatility," Eldridge said. "He allows us to do a lot of different things because of his athleticism and he does whatever we ask of him. He obviously can rush the passer but he is also great at the point of attack and he does a great job of dropping back in coverage when we ask him to. He plays every down and his versatility just allows us to do a lot of different things defensively."

While Craig has had an outstanding individual season for MSU-N that doesn't replace the team success he desires so badly. At the end of the day, football is a team game and no individual accolades will make up for the ultimate prize, which is winning. And until the Lights get that first win and beyond - Craig's motor will be running because while stats and awards matter - nothing matters more than the men Craig refers to as his brothers.

"My biggest motivation is my teammates, I like to call them my brothers," Craig said. "I have met some great people during my time here at Northern and playing beside my brothers and playing for them is the thing that drives me the most so if we can come together and get a win that would mean everything."

Craig and the Lights face EOU Saturday afternoon in Havre.