BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Football team made the return to Lake Bemidji Saturday afternoon after earning a 34-24 victory over Winona State for Homecoming at Chet Anderson Stadium. The Beavers (1-2, 1-2 NSIC) defeated Winona State University (2-1, 2-1 NSIC) 34-24 and after having a 10-game homecoming win-streak snapped last season, made the traditional jump into Lake Bemidji.
 
The Beavers got off to a slow start in the game and had its first three drives of the game stall and then on the fourth, Warriors' defensive back Brian Corbins intercepted a pass from junior Brandon Alt and returned 52 yards for the touchdown and seven-point lead.
 
Bemidji State responded in the second quarter however, and on the first play of the second quarter, Alt connected with senior Dhel Duncan-Busby for a 49-yard touchdown to tie the game. After the "Gang-Green" defense forced a three-and-out, BSU regained possession and drove down the field for a 11-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a 21-yard receiving touchdown by Brendan Beaulieu.
 
After a failed extra-point attempt, Winona State pulled within three after a 22-yard field goal on the ensuing possession. However, just before the half ended, Bemidji State got the ball in favorable field position and senior Jalen Frye put the Beavers up 20-10 with a one-yard scamper for his first rushing touchdown of the season. The half would end with BSU holding the 10-point lead.
 
After trading possessions at the start of the third quarter, Bemidji State scored with 4:32 left in third when Alt connected with Beaulieu for the second time, this time on a 15-yard pass for the 27-10 lead. However, Winona State drove down the field and scored off a 23-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 27-18. The quarter would end with the Beavers holding the nine-point lead.
 
Bemidji State then extended its lead to 34-18 at 7:43 of the fourth quarter after Sage Booker scored from two-yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the season. Winona State would add a touchdown to make it 34-24 with 3:09 to play but it would be too little too late and the Beavers homecoming tradition returned after the 34-24 win.
 
Bemidji State had its best rushing performance of the season totaling 159 yards on the ground with Frye leading the way after rushing for 95 yards on 31 attempts and one touchdown. Booker followed with 65 yards on 18 attempts and also added a touchdown.
 
The Beavers totaled 530 yards on offense, a season-high, and the first time since Nov. 6, 2021 with over 500 yards on offense.
 
Alt continued his NCAA-leading passing attack and threw for 371 yards on 24-of-36 passes with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Duncan-Busby lead BSU receivers with eight receptions and a career-high 148 receiving yards and one touchdown while Beaulieu followed with seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
 
On defense, Max Buduris paced the "Gang-Green" defense with six tackles while Zollie Kaplan recorded three tackles, two of which were sacks.
 
The Beavers begin a two-game road trip and will travel to Fayette, Iowa to face Upper Iowa University Saturday, Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. The Beavers return home Saturday, Oct. 1 to host Concordia University-St. Paul for the annual Shrine/Hall of Fame Game.
 
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—