FAYETTE, Iowa (Harms-Eischeid Stadium) – A game-opening 96-yard kickoff return set up a quick start for the Bemidji State University football program Saturday afternoon, but the team stalled over the stretch in a 27-24 loss at Upper Iowa University. The Peacocks outscored the Beavers 21-0 to end the game despite BSU winning the turnover battle, 4-1.

Senior wide receiver Landon Jones took the game’s opening kickoff back 96 yards to give BSU a quick 7-0 lead. The Beavers continued their hot start on the following offensive possession with an 11-play, 61-yard drive capped by one of two rushing touchdowns by senior running back Andrew Lackowski. His final rushing touchdown in the third quarter was the team’s final of the day after leading, 21-6.

Senior kicker Isaac Aanerud extended BSU’s lead to 24-6 after converting a 28-yard field goal with 8:48 remaining in the third quarter. Upper Iowa answered with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown before two touchdowns from UIU quarterback Brent Lammers in the fourth quarter.

Bemidji State was able to force a Upper Iowa punt late in the game to set up a potential game-winning drive with 1:04 remaining. On fourth and four at the BSU 33-yard line, sophomore wide receiver Mannie Kugmeh was spotted shy of the first down marker by one yard to turn the ball over on downs.

Lackowski led BSU’s rushing attack on the day with 121 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. The team finished with 229 total rushing yards compared to 151 for Upper Iowa, although threw for just 106 yards compared to  248 for UIU. The “Gang Green” defense forced four Peacock turnovers, including interceptions by defensive backs Michael Junker, Gunner Olszewski and John Vogeler, and a fumble recovery by linebacker Andre Chisley Jr.

Bemidji State returns to Chet Anderson Stadium Saturday, Oct. 20 to host No. 1 Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Beavers and Mavericks will meet for the 48th time in the series with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.

For more information on the Bemidji State athletic programs, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeavers or @BSUBeaversFB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers or facebook.com/BSUBeaverFootball) or sign up for the TXTUpdates from BSUBeavers.com text-messaging system through the "Multimedia" pull down menu on the main page of BSUBeavers.com.

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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