BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Minot State Beavers scored two touchdowns in the final 2:37 of regulation, overcoming a 28-21 deficit en route to a 35-28 win over Bemidji State this afternoon at Chet Anderson Stadium. The win was Minot State’s first ever over Bemidji State and delivered the Beavers their first home non-conference loss since 1998.

Minot State held a 7-0 lead at halftime on Kenny Smith’s 11-yard scoring pass to Josh Dascher at 9:33 of the second quarter, but BSU used a huge third quarter to build a 21-14 cushion. After putting together just two drives which netted more than 17 yards in the first half, the Beavers scored touchdowns on their first three second-half possessions.

Quarterback Jason Smith pulled BSU even at 7-7 with a one-yard plunge at 11:14 of the third quarter, capitalizing on a Minot State fumble in a drive which needed to cover just 28 yards. Minot State answered less than two minutes later, as Kenny Smith hooked up with Harry Mills from 40 yards out at 9:21 of the third; the extra point put Minot State back on top, 14-7.

But Bemidji State would score the game’s next two touchdowns to grab a 21-14 advantage. Again faced with a short field after a 33-yard kickoff return from Karl Mikolon, the Beavers needed just two plays before Jason Smith found Adam Noble streaking down the south sideline from 49 yards out. The pitch-and-run and subsequent extra point again pulled BSU even, this time at 14, at the 8:52 mark of the third.

The Beavers grabbed their first lead of the game less than three minutes later. BSU forced a Minot State punt with the visitors inside their own 20, and a 29-yard punt followed by a nine-yard Ryan Welle return set BSU up at the Minot 38. The Beavers needed just four plays to score, with Colby Wright scoring his first career touchdown from seven yards out following a 25-yard gainer from Jason Smith to Noble. Neil Collier’s extra point put BSU ahead, 21-14. The touchdown helped BSU reach 10,000 points scored in the history of the program (10,013).

But Bemidji State miscues would help Minot State get back into the game. Minot State’s first drive of the fourth quarter stalled at midfield, but Welle mishandled the ensuing punt and Minot State’s Charlie Hammond recovered the ball at the BSU 11 yard line. The visitors needed just four plays - with the five-yard scoring pass from Kenny Smith to Ryan Belsher coming on fourth and four from the five yard line - to score and send the game to its third tie, 21-21.

But Bemidji State responded with perhaps its most impressive drive of the season so far, a 10-play, 67-yard march that chewed 4:21 off the clock and ended with a four-yard scoring run from senior Eddie Acosta. Acosta was huge on the drive, coming in after Wright had received the carry on the drive’s first seven plays. Acosta rushed for six yards on fourth and one from the Minot State 30, then hauled in a 20-yard pass from Jason Smith and finally scored the go-ahead touchdown.

Minot State took control with 3:32 to play in the contest, and Kenny Smith needed just 55 seconds to board the go-ahead score for the visiting Beavers. He capped a four-play, 54-yard drive with an 11-yard run after a 29-yard pass to Mills and a 14-yard strike to Dascher had moved Minot State into scoring position.

BSU was held to three-and-out and forced to punt on its next possession, with a 28-yard punt into the wind setting Minot State up at the BSU 45. Kenny Smith hit Dascher from 12 yards out, and then capped the drive with a 33-yard pass to a leaping Mills to put Minot State ahead 35-28 and seal it.
BSU took over with 36 seconds to play in regulation, but Welle fumbled after a reception in the flat - forced by Charlie Hammond, who earlier recovered Welle’s fumbled punt - and Minot recovered. Kenny Smith took a knee to end the game and Minot State escaped with the seven-point win - its first in four games against BSU.

Minot State benefited from big days from Kenny Smith and Mills. Smith, a 2001 First-Team All-DAC 10 selection who finished amongst the NAIA’s national leaders in passing and total offense last season, completed 19 of 36 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for a fifth touchdown. Mills was the primary recipient of Smiths’ aerials, hauling in six passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns, on catches of 40 and 33 yards. Darrick Trudell added 99 yards rushing on 29 carries.

Jason Smith completed 12 of 26 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown for BSU. He has now started his career as BSU’s starting quarterback with 56 consecutive passes without an interception. Acosta picked up 128 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, extending his own BSU record with his 22nd career 100-yard rushing game.

With the loss, Bemidji State falls to 0-2 on the season, its first 0-2 start since the 1996 season, while Minot State picks up the win in its season debut and improves to 1-0. Bemidji State has a bye on Sept. 14 and returns to action Sept. 21 in its NSIC opener at Winona State. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Central time at Maxell Field in Winona, Minn.