MSU-N will open 2013 at Dickinson

Just a little over a month ago, the Montana State University-Northern football team released its schedule for the upcoming 2013 Frontier Conference football season. But in light of a major change, the Lights re-released their schedule this week.

Montana State University-Northern's Jordan Van Voast looks to make a play during a Frontier Conference football game last fall in Havre. The Lights will open the 2013 season on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Dickinson State and will play at Carroll College the following Saturday.

Originally, Northern was set to open the season Sept. 7 at rival Carroll College, but MSU-N now has a new season-opener. The Lights will begin the season Thursday, Aug. 29 at Dickinson State. The Blue Hawks asked for the change due to a scheduling situation of their own, so Northern accommodated. The Lights were originally set to travel to DSU on Nov. 10, but that will now be a bye week for the Lights. The Lights and Blue Hawks will meet under the lights of Fisher Field at DSU's Badlands Activity Center.

MSU-N will still play at Carroll on Sept. 7 in Helena, meaning the Lights will open with two straight on the road. In a more than an unusual schedule this season, the Lights will also play three straight on the road in the middle of the season, starting with a trip UM-Western on Sept. 28, then a visit to Rocky Mountain College in Billings on Oct. 5. Following a bye week, the Lights will trip to Ashland, Ore., for their only game against defending Frontier champion Southern Oregon on Oct. 19.

Northern's home opener is set for Sept. 14 when the Lights host Eastern Oregon, and MSU-N will remain at home to face DSU on Sept. 21. The Lights also close the season with three in a row at home, and with the late bye included, they won't have to leave Havre after the Oct. 19 visit to SOU. MSU-N closes the regular season with Blue Pony Stadium games against Carroll, Montana Tech and Rocky Mountain College, consecutively.

And this will be the final schedule under this format for the Frontier as new league member College of Idaho will begin league play in 2014. Once again, Northern's season opener is set for Aug. 29 in Dickinson, N.D.

2013 Lights Football Schedule

Aug. 29 at Dickinson St.

Sept. 7 at Carroll

Sept. 14 vs Eastern Oregon

Sept. 21 vs Dickinson St.

Sept. 28 at Western

Oct. 5 at Rocky Mountain

Oct. 19 at Southern Oregon

Oct. 26 vs Carroll

Nov. 2 vs Montana Tech

Nov. 16 vs Rocky Mountain