Grading the Saints

Rush defense - MSU-Northern was held to 41 yards rushing while Ty Cochrell finished with just 36 after tearing up every team before the Saints. Carroll also wiped out the Lights always dangerous option attack, which fell to the wayside as the Saints defensive line manhandled their counterparts.

Grade: A

Pass defense - Brian Strobel is simply impressive. The sophomore linebacker/safety picked off two interceptions while junior corner Mike Waldenberg collected another as the Lights finished with just 11-of-28 completions for 106 yards passing. For the first time this season, the backups did not give up a big play over their heads.

Grade: A

Rush offense - If ever there was a day to reward the offensive line, Saturday would be it. Fighting through the freezing winds, it gave the Saints' running backs plenty of space to run and Gary Wagner plenty of time to throw. The result was a very balanced performance that saw running backs Gabe Le, John Camino and Chance Demarais all rush for over 55 yards apiece. Carroll finished with 194 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Grade: A-

Pass offense - Wagner swears the cold had nothing to do with the multiple dropped passes - at least four that were obviously on the receiver's hands - that occurred. Still, Wagner did well, completing 16-of-27 passes for 155 yards and two TDs. Dane Broadhead backed him up and completed two passes with an interception. In the end, no defense has been able to really stop the Saints' passing game. Only Carroll does that.

Grade: B-

Special teams - Saturday marked the best day of special teams the Saints have seen all season. Walk-on freshman D.J. Smetana kicked a 33-yard field goal and all of his extra points, Carroll successfully ran a fake field goal for a two-point conversion and returns were clean with some good yardage for the most part. One missed field goal in freezing weather when the ball is a rock takes a little of the glimmer away, but for once the Saints special teams looked like they knew what they were doing and having fun.

Grade: A-