Rocky Mountain rebounds in shut out victory over Montana State Northern
September 12, 2015 7:30 pm • By Joe Kusek
Jade Olson ran with a little bit more
emotion on Saturday.
The junior wasn’t angry at Montana State
Northern, the opponent.
The running back from Malta just expected
more from himself.
“I had a fumble against (Montana) Western
last week,” Olson said. “I had to come out
and make up for it.”
Olson made up for it and more, rushing for
two touchdowns and cheering on a defense
that had its best game in years as Rocky
Mountain College stonewalled the Lights
46-0 at Herb Klindt Field.
“Jade, he’s smart and a heckuva running
back,” said Rocky head coach Brian
Armstrong. “You could tell all week in
practice he was chomping at the bit to get
back in there and do something.”
HANNAH POTES/Gazette Staff
A host of Northern defenders tackle Rocky’s Rodd Wohlfeil (9) out of
bounds during their game on Saturday at Herb Klindt Field. Rocky
defeated MSU Northern, 46-0.
Olson had touchdown runs of seven and two yards. He finished with a season-high 67 yards on 11 carries.
“I have to thank my O-Line, everybody. It was a great game,” he said.
Olson also turned a short pass into a 30-yard gain in the second quarter, taking the ball down the right
sideline and hurdling a would-be defender. It set up his two-yard touchdown run.
“If a guy is going to come after me low, I’m going to jump over them,” said Olson. “Andre (McCullouch)
came in a made a great block to get me open.”
Evan Connolly kicked field goals of 22, 40, 23 and 33 yards, while Kodee Varner also ran for a touchdown.
Chase White finished 12 of 16 passing for 213 yards, including a 36-yard scoring strike to McCullouch.
McCullouch, who caught a 36-yard pass while falling backward, finished with four catches for 91 yards.
It is the Battlin’ Bears first shutout in more than a decade. Frontier Conference website records only go
back to 2004.
Rocky converted Austin Chamberlain’s fumble recovery into Olson’s first scoring run and defensive back
Jared Gallatin had the first Pick-6 of his collegiate career.
The Battlin’ Bears registered 10 quarterback sacks.
“We’re feeling good as a defense,” said junior defensive lineman Seth Swandal, who had a fumble
recovery and a quarterback sack. “We came out ready to play today.”
Rocky was coming off a dismal 49-6 home loss to Montana Western last week.
“It was absolutely essential we came out and played well today,” Swandal said. “The emphasis this week
was coming out and having a good performance. We knew we were a better team than we showed last
week.”
The Lights managed just 3.05 yards a play.
“I thought the defense played extremely well,” said Armstrong. “They covered well and tackled well. They
did a great job of putting our offense in good situations.”
Rocky scored twice after stopping the Lights on fourth down.
The Battlin’ Bears offense churned out 400 yards in total offense, averaging almost six yards a play.
Northern running back Zach McKinley had 103 yards rushing on 24 carries.
“McKinley is a helluva running back,” said Swandal. “He makes a lot of yards after contact. The key to
stopping him is staying with your assignment and trusting everybody to do their jobs.
“This win was huge.”
The win was the last of three straight home games for Rocky. The Battlin’ Bears play at Carroll College
next Saturday. Rocky’s next home game is Oct. 10 against Montana Tech.
Billings Gazette website: http://billingsgazette.com/