Breaking Sports: Lights trounce Orediggers

Northern's Orin Johnson (right) crashes ahead for a gain during the third quarter of Saturday's Frontier Conference football game between the Lights and Montana Tech at Blue Pony Stadium.

After a devestating loss seven days ago, the MSU-Northern football team bounced back in a big way. The Lights dominated Montana Tech from start to finish in a 41-20 Frontier Conference victory on a windy Saturday afternoon at Blue Pony Stadium.

MSU-N got a breakout performance from sophomore wide receiver Mick Miller. The Fairfield native caught a pair of touchdowns from former Fairfield teammate Derek Lear, ane he had 158 yards receiving on the day. Miller set up Northern's first score by hauling in a 49-yard pass from Lear. Fullback James Chandless finished things off with a one-yard plunge. Lear also scored a rushing touchdown and Stephen Silva, who also had a big day, tacked on a one-yard TD in the second quarter as the Lights led 20-7 at halftime.

Miller found the endzone twice in the second half, including a 74-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter, and Lear also hit Kyle Johnston for an 18-yard strike, one of Lear's three TD passes on the day. Silva finished with 115 yards as the Lights piled up 282 yards on the ground.

Northern forced the Orediggers (0-7, 1-7) into three turnovers, including a blocked punt by Will Andrews. Andrews finished the day with the block and two sacks. MSU-N's defense limited Tech to just 254 yards of total offense.

Northern improved to 4-3 with a season sweep of the Orediggers. The Lights are back on the road to face Eastern Oregon next Saturday.