WINONA, Minn. (Alltel Field at Maxwell Stadium) - Winona State University football team extended its home winning streak to 32 games today with a 31-7 victory over Bemidji State University.

The Warriors piled up 24 points before BSU lit its side of the scoreboard rolling up 184 yards and touchdown through the air and rushing for 164 yards and three TDs on the ground--marking the third consecutive game the Beaver defensive unit has allowed 100-or-more yards on the ground since Winona State, University of Minnesota, Crookston and Northern State University did it midway through the 2004 campaign.

The WSU win over BSU continued a recent trend in the rivalry. Since 1990 BSU is just 2-15 versus the Warriors and has not won a game WSU's Maxwell Field since Sept. 27, 1986--a streak spanning 11 games. The loss, BSU's second in as many Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference contests, marks the first time BSU has started the conference season 0-2 since 2001.

BSU sophomore wide receiver Andrew Schultz (Grand Forks, N.D.) grabbed a career-high nine catches for the first 100-yard game of his career (120 yards) and senior wideout George Kadlec hauled in a touchdown reception for the third consecutive game, but a pair of turnovers by the Beavers--one fumble lost and one interception--and five Warrior sacks of BSU quarterback Derek Edholm (So., Anoka, Minn.) prevented the Bemidji State offense from getting on track Saturday in Winona, Minn.

BSU converted on its lone trip into the red zone, but it came with eight minutes left in the game and seven points versus the defending NSIC champion and 2007 NCAA Playoff participant just will not cut it.

The teams traded possessions during much of the first period. Before WSU quarterback Greg Preston plunged into the end zone from a yard out with 1:46 to play in the first to put WSU up 7-0, the most sustained drive for either team came on the Beavers' opening drive--five plays for 21 yards.

Winona State added a touchdown to cap a seven-play, 62-yard drive with 5:43 to play in the half. Andy Verbancouer continued WSU's ground attack finding the end zone from two yards out. The successful Cullen Fahey point after attempt made the score 14-0 and that is where it would stay as the teams ran off the field for the halftime break.

BSU came up dry on seven possessions in the first half. The Beavers managed just 83 yards of offense during the first 30 minutes of the game punting the ball away six times.

Luck seemed to have turned in favor of the Beavers as the second half got underway. The BSU defense forced the Warriors into a three-and-out on their opening drive. But after a single first down, the Beavers were tagged with a false start penalty and Edholm fumbled the ball on the very next play and WSU recovered on BSU 27 yard-line.

It would take WSU just four plays to stretch the score to 21-0. Verbancouer rumbled into the end zone from three yards out for his second touchdown of the afternoon with 8:13 left in the third quarter.

After BSU turned the ball over on downs in its next possession, WSU would add a field goal.

Despite gaining just 25 yards on eight plays, Fahey split the uprights from 44 yards out with just over four minutes to play in the third to put WSU up 24-0.

The BSU offense came to life in the fourth quarter. Edholm engineered an 11-play, 89-yard drive capped with his fourth throwing touchdown of the season. The signal caller totaled 34 yards on the ground and was 4-of-6 for 57 yards on the drive, including a 20-yard TD strike to Kadlec. The score made it 24-7.

With 8:05 to play in the game, time was on the side of BSU and when WSU reserve quarterback Amir Ross connected with Ellis Minor for a 23-yard score to give the Warriors a 31-7 advantage with just over three minutes to play, WSU would slam the door on the Beavers.

Edholm finished the day 23-of-33 for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He spread the ball between six different receivers led by Schultz and Kadlec. In addition, true freshman Jody Henningson (WR, Elburn, Ill.) was on the receiving end of four passes for 35 yards.

The Warriors held the BSU ground attack to just 72 yards. Brandon Miles (So., RB, Kenai, Alaska) paced the Beaver ball-carriers netting 25 yards on five attempts. Erick Newman (Sr., RB, Naperville, Ill.) added 19 yards on three carries in relief.

Jason Kunz (Sr., DB, Esko, Minn.) led the BSU defense collecting a career-best nine tackles (7 solo) while junior linebacker Jake Anderson (Karlstad, Minn.) racked up six tackles (5 solo), which included two tackles for a loss and a sack. He also forced a fumble that was later recovered by the WSU offense.

The Beavers, 1-2 overall and winless in two NSIC contests (0-2), look to right the ship next weekend as they continue league play. The Beavers are set to clash with Minnesota State University, Moorhead in the 61st 'Battle for the Axe.' Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Alex Nemzek Stadium in Moorhead, Minn.

-bsu-