BEMIDJI, Minn. (Chet Anderson Stadium) -- Junior running back Tahi Nomane scored twice on the ground and senior defensive back Damon Benham grabbed two interceptions to help lead the No. 24 Bemidji State University football team to a 45-17 victory over Wayne state College in BSU's 20th Annual Shrine Game.
The Beavers move to 3-0 to open the season for the first time since 2011, which was also the last season BSU was ranked in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 poll. Bemidji State finished with 408 total yards on the night, the third consecutive game with at least 400 yards gained to open the season. The game was plagued with penalties on both sides of the ball, but the Beavers took advantage of six red-zone opportunities for six scores to secure the win.
The "Gang Green" defense totaled six sacks on the day, forced Wayne State to four three-and-outs and nabbed three interceptions fueled by Benham's career-high two. The Deer River, Minn., native returned his first interception 19 yards for a Bemidji State touchdown and a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. Junior quarterback Jordan Hein threw a six-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Brady Schmidt two possessions prior to mark his 50th career touchdown, passing and rushing, as a Beaver.
Hein added to his touchdown total to begin the second half as he found junior wide receiver Blake Holder in the back corner of the endzone. The score extended BSU's lead to 24-0, while WSC first lit up the scoreboard with just over six minutes remaining in the first half.
The Wildcats recorded an interception to begin the second half, eventually leading to a four-play, 30-yard touchdown drive and cutting the Beavers' lead to 31-17. Nomane punched in his two touchdowns on the night, totaling six on the season, in the third and fourth quarters.
Bemidji State travels to Sioux Falls, S.D., for a battle of 3-0 teams, as University of Sioux Falls welcomes in the No. 24 ranked team in the nation. The Cougars entered this past weekend's game with a No. 15 ranking. The final 6 p.m. game of the season for BSU will be the first time playing a ranked team while ranked since a 2011 showdown with University of Minnesota Duluth.
Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
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