Carroll looks to roll past Northern

By Tom Cotton of Montana Lee Newspapers - 09/16/2005

In this week's matchup between the Carroll College football team and Montana State University-Northern, one team seems to be hitting its stride, while the other is cruising along just fine.

The No. 1 ranked Saints (2-0) will face the Northern Lights (1-1) in Carroll's Frontier Conference opener today at Nelson Stadium. The three-time defending national champions are coming off a 27-7 destruction of No. 4 Azusa Pacific and have outscored their first two opponents by a margin of 77-21.

The Saints will be looking for their 12th win in a row over MSU-N and outscored them 90-9 in two contests last season.

Despite the one-sided nature in the series, there is some reason for optimism in Havre.

The Northern Lights are coming off a win over Dickenson State in the season opener and they dropped a one-point decision to the University of Montana-Western last week.

‘‘I think our attitude is better (than last year),'' said second-year Northern coach Mark Samson. ‘‘The kids keep learning. It is a learning process. That game (against Western) is a game we could have and should have won, but we didn't take advantage of opportunities.''

Northern is paced by a host of former Capital products, including quarterback Kyle Samson, running back Don Saisbury, as well as defensive backs Jake Eldridge and Marc Samson. Both will also see time at wide receiver.

Last season, Samson triggered the Lights option attack, but this season, MSU-N has opened up a little more. They will run more of a spread offense and try to get to Eldridge and Samson deep down field. Saisbury is also a threat coming out of the backfield to catch a pass.

‘‘We can't give up the big play with Kyle,'' said Carroll College coach Mike Van Diest. ‘‘Last year I think maybe he was looking to run first and pass second, but this year he is throwing the ball so well. You have to contain him, but you can't be afraid to put pressure on him'' Samson has thrown for nearly 500 yards in his first two starts this season, but he will likely find the Carroll defense tough to crack.

‘‘Carroll's defense is better than any defense they have played just because they are quicker,'' said Mark Samson.

The Saints showed off their quickness last week, not allowing Azusa's skill position players to break any big plays.

‘‘Our starters playing well together,'' said Van Diest. ‘‘They communicate well and their practice habits are good.''

Van Diest added that moving Chris Ramstead to nose guard at the beginning of the season, has allowed Phil Lenoue more playing time at defensive end. Lenoue has plenty of athleticism and speed and registered four tackles, including one for loss last weekend.

On offense, the Saints have been able to move downfield grinding out yardage as well as uncorking the big play. They were able to run the ball effectively last weekend thanks in large part to an offensive line that has four starters that have logged plenty of plays together.

‘‘They have a lot of experience and they don't make assignment mistakes. If we allow their offensive line to control us up front, we are going to be in for a long afternoon,'' Samson said.

The Saints of course are not three-yards and a cloud of dust outfit. Tyler Emmert has hooked up with Tyler Peterson for four touchdowns in the first two games.