BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Football team will fight to retain the Battle Axe trophy this weekend as it travels to Moorhead, Minn., to face Minnesota State University, Moorhead in one of the longest rivalries in Division II football.
 
The Beavers (4-2, 2-0 NSIC North) travel to face the Dragons (2-4, 1-1 NSIC North) Saturday, Oct. 15 at Noon from Scheels Field in Moorhead, Minn. A live stream will be provided here as well as a radio broadcast by the Beaver Radio Network, here.
 
 
Bemidji State Notes

• Since 1948 Bemidji State and MSU-Moorhead have been playing for more than just a victory. They will also be playing to claim the second-longest traveling trophy in DII history, the Battle Axe.
• In 72 meetings with the Battle Axe on the line, MSU-Moorhead has won the axe 39 times compared to 31 for the Beavers. However, BSU has won 15 of the last 19 meetings including the last two.
• The Bemidji State-MSU-Moorhead rivalry dates farther than 1948 when the two teams first met in 1929. Bemidji  State is 37-47-3 in 87 all-time meetings.
• When playing in Moorhead, the Dragons are 27-15-1 in the all-time series.
• The rivlary between the Beavers and Dragons is the longest lasting in BSU history at 87 years and the two teams have played every year since 1946 excluding the canceled 2020 season.
• BSU returns 14 starters (10 offense, 4 defense) from last year's team that recorded the first 10-win season in program history. The Beavers secured a share of the 2021 NSIC Championship, the second title in program history, and won the NSIC North Division outright for the first time last season.
• Brent Bolte was named the 2021 NSIC Coach of the Year for the first time in his career while offensive coordinator Karson Pike was selected as the 2021 NSIC Assistant Coach of the Year, also for the first time.
• Bolte is 3-2 in his head coaching career against the Dragons.
• Bemidji State is the lone team in Division II to average 350+ yards passing and 140+ yards rushing and is fourth in the nation by averaging 496.2 yards of total offense.
• The Beavers' offense leads the NSIC in total offense (496.2), passing offense (356.0), third-down conversion (.520), first downs (154), scoring (41.3) and red zone conversion (.900).
• The Beavers' average of 356.0 passing yards per game is the highest in program history by 25.6 yards (331.6/2021).
• The Bemidji State defense is just as formidable and leads the conference in third-down defense (.233) and is third in total defense (288.5) and second in tackles for loss (7.3 avg).
• Senior Brendan Beaulieu can become the program's all-time career receiving touchdown leader this weekend and needs one touchdown reception to surpass Malik Williams (27).
• Junior quarterback Brandon Alt leads the NSIC in passing touchdowns (19/2nd in DII), passing yards (1,906/4th), passing efficiency (149.7/26th) and second in passing yards per completion (14.7/19th).
• Alt is second on BSU's career passing yards list (6,691), passing touchdowns (75) and efficiency (148.0).
• Alt's primary target this season is senior Brendan Beaulieu. Beaulieu leads the NSIC with 757 receiving yards which is third in DII and also leads the NSIC, second in DII, with eight receiving touchdowns.
• He is the program's all-time career recieving yards leader (2,978) and is second in receptions (174) and tied for first in touchdowns (27).
• His teammate on the otherside, Dhel Duncan-Busby is fourth in the NSIC with 488 receiving yards and second with 5 receiving touchdowns.
• Jalen Frye leads the Beavers' rushing attack and has totaled 434 yards on 107 attempts (4.1/a) which is eighth in the NSIC.
• Bemidji State is led on defense by linebacker Max Buduris who has totaled 32 tackles including 19 solo tackles. He is followed by Spencer Wehr with 31 tackles (19s) while Stephen Hoffman (25) and Cole Sorby (24) follow.
• Zollie Kaplan paces the "Gang-Green" defense with five sacks and seven tackles for loss.

 
For more information on the Bemidji State football program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeaversFB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).
 
Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooden region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, BSU sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association 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).
 
--bsu—