Frontier Notebook: A big Northern homecoming, in more ways than one

Homecoming week and the Montana State University-Northern football team's homecoming game is always special. It's a prideful time each and every year on MSU-N's campus.

This Saturday's homecoming game against Montana Tech will be no different. It will be special, but the excitement surrounding Northern's homecoming battle with the Orediggers got an extra boost of juice late last week.

On Friday, Northern issued a press release announcing fund raising efforts for the on-campus stadium that has long been a dream.

But Saturday, Northern, led by Chancellor Greg Kegel, will announce to its fans, the community and anyone else paying attention that the dream has become a reality.

Friday's press release highlighted the Tilleman family and Independence Bank as two donors who have stepped up to the plate in a big way to help get the stadium project moving forward.

So with that generosity, Kegel will officially announce the plans for the new stadium as part of this week's homecoming celebration, which is a fitting time to do it.

"These donors have grasped the important role this project plays in moving Northern forward," Northern Chancellor Greg Kegel said in the release. "They understand that by investing in our athletic programs and strengthening student life, they are contributing to overall student success and the long-term health of our campus."

"We're excited to build on that communitywide pride by investing in our athletic programs to ensure our student-athletes and our fans have high-quality facilities and a high-quality experience," Kegel added. "These gifts are a big push toward achieving that goal."

Also coming home

Saturday's homecoming game won't just be special for the Lights either.

A pair of Orediggers will also have strong feelings when Tech takes the field against the Lights, most of all, Tech offensive coordinator Kyle Samson.

Samson was a star quarterback for the Lights, who still holds all kinds of school records, and is the only quarterback Northern has ever had who has gotten a team to the NAIA playoffs, as well as earn NAIA All-American honors.

After graduating from Northern, Samson was an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Lights under his father, former MSU-N head coach Mark Samson. So Kyle's impact on the program, and his roots in it, run really deep and to this day, are still felt.

Samson hasn't been back in Blue Pony Stadium since he last coached for the Lights. He went on to become a highly successful head coach at Flathead High in Kalispell, before accepting the OC job on Chuck Morrell's staff last spring. Kyle's wife Brooke is also from Havre, so Saturday, will truly be a special day.

It will also be special for Tech starting safety Justin May, who grew up right down Highway 2 at Chester-Joplin-Inverness. May is in his third year of starting for the Orediggers and has been among the team leaders in tackles in each of the last two seasons.

Streaking

There's been some pretty impressive runs by teams since Frontier play started. College of Idaho hasn't lost yet, and puts its three-game winning streak on the line at Rocky Mountain College.

Montana Western is also undefeated and will look to keep it going Saturday at home against Eastern Oregon, while Carroll College takes a two-game winning streak to Southern Oregon, a squad which is currently riding a shocking four-game losing streak.

Montana Tech also brings a two-game winning streak to Havre on Saturday. After losing at C of I in its season-opener, the Diggers have beaten Eastern Oregon and SOU at home.

Coaches Poll

Montana Tech jumped into this week's NAIA Coaches Poll, coming in at No. 25. Carroll College is also receiving votes in the poll for the first time since the beginning of the 2018 season.

Overall though, there are just three Frontier teams in the NAIA Top 25, with RMC dropping out. C of I moved up one slot to No. 10 despite being idle this week, while Montana Western also rose one spot to No. 19.

NAIA Coaches Poll

Rn. Prv. Rec. Pts.

1 1 Morningside (Iowa) [17] 3-0 392

2 2 Benedictine (Kan.) 4-0 377

3 3 Saint Francis (Ind.) 2-0 362

4 4 Kansas Wesleyan 4-0 344

5 6 Concordia (Mich.) 3-0 329

6 7 Marian (Ind.) 2-0 318

7 9 Grand View (Iowa) 4-0 292

8 10 Northwestern (Iowa) 3-0 276

9 5 Saint Xavier (Ill.) 1-1 262

10 11 College of Idaho 3-0 257

11 12 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 4-0 254

12 14 Evangel (Mo.) 4-0 219

13 14 Cumberlands (Ky.) 2-0 216

14 8 Reinhardt (Ga.) 3-1 193

15 17 Southeastern (Fla.) 2-0 171

16 16 Dickinson State (N.D.) 2-1 167

17 18 Bethel (Tenn.) 2-1 142

18 19 Langston (Okla.) 2-1 141

19 20 Montana Western 3-0 127

20 22 Siena Heights (Mich.) 3-0 96

21 23 Ottawa (Ariz.) (AZ) 3-0 85

22 13 Baker (Kan.) 2-2 65

23 25 Cumberland (Tenn.) 3-0 58

24 NR Keiser (Fla.) 2-0 51

25 NR Montana Tech 2-1 38