Lights still searching for first win, host
By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com
It doesn't matter if it's by one or 100, the Montana State University-Northern
football team needs a win.
Northern, 0-5 on the season, is in desperate need of a
win and the much-needed confidence boost that comes with it. The Lights will
get another opportunity when they host the Southern Oregon Raiders on Saturday
at
"We just a need a win of any type," Samson said. "It would mean
so much to the kids confidence-wise. We've had our opportunities."
Indeed, Saturday will offer yet another opportunity. The Raiders come into
Havre with a 2-3 record and fresh off a 51-10 drubbing by NCAA Division I-AA
University of San Diego.
SOU started the season ranked No. 16 in the NAIA, but losses to
The Raiders' two wins have come against
Northern is coming off a
24-12 defeat at the hands of Rocky. The game was frustrating for Samson,
considering his team outgained Rocky in total offense
and dominated the line of scrimmage and time of possession.
"We had some dropped passes and penalties and had one big turnover that
hurt us," he said. "For the most part we played pretty well, just
some little mistakes."
It's those little mistakes that Northern must erase against a good
Gone are All-American Dusty McGrorty, quarterback Dan
Woodward, standout receiver Andre Ware and four members of last year's
offensive line.
"They've had some trouble scoring points at times this season,"
Samson said. "They are not quite as experienced or explosive on offense as
they have been in the past."
SOU is averaging just 10.6 points and 274 yards of total offense per game this
season. The Raiders have rushed for only one touchdown on the season, while
throwing for five - four to returning receiver Bobby Poeltl.
Poeltl is Southern's
biggest weapon, leading the team with 31 receptions for 406 yards on the
season. He is also a dangerous kick returner.
The Raiders are trying to replace McGrorty's
150-yard-plus rushing performances with the duo of Antar
Mahasian and Bill Jolin,
who combine for about 90 yards a game.
"Obviously, losing McGrorty is big for
them," Samson said. "But they are still running basically the same
offense."
Defense may be the Raiders' biggest strength. SOU returns the bulk of its
starters on the defensive side, led by linebacker David Zauhauer,
who leads the team with 46 tackles. Senior Toby Walker leads the team in
interceptions, tackles for loss, fumble recoveries and sacks from his rover
position.
"They're a tough team to figure out," Samson said. "They played
Northern appears to have worked out much of its offensive kinks, averaging more
than 400 yards of total offense in the last two games. But it has been the play
of the Lights' defense that has Samson optimistic.
"Our defense has really made some strides," Rocky said. "They
played well enough last weekend for us to win the
game; our offense didn't keep up its end. The defense is starting to get some
sacks, cause some turnovers and start making plays."
This hasn't been the easiest week for Samson, his two sons and the numerous
Capital players on the team. The death of
"It definitely puts some things in perspective," Samson said.
"It's been a long week. We got behind some, but I think that the kids can
afford to miss a practice. We've been going for eight weeks. If they don't have
things figured out now, one practice is the least of our problems."
Even with the circumstances, practice was very crisp on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"The kids haven't give up," Samson said.
"I really think they've turned the corner. You can see it in practice.
These kids aren't afraid to fight for a win. I don't have any problem with the
effort they've been giving. We just need a win to reward that effort."
Northern and