BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State Football team's rushing attack exploded for a season-high 196 total yards on the ground and the "Gang-Green" defense blocked three punts including one for a touchdown to lead the Beavers to a 48-22 victory at Upper Iowa University Saturday afternoon.
 
The Beavers' defense held the Peacocks (0-4, 0-4 NSIC) to just 232 total yards while their offense totaled 427 yards for the fourth consecutive game. Bemidji State also blocked three punts in the game, the first time since 1999 that the Beavers blocked two or more punts.
 
Junior Jalen Frye led the Beavers' ground attack with 88 yards off 14 attempts including a long run of 31 yards while sophomore Jarrett Gronski rushed for a career-high 78 yards on 12 attempts while also adding a touchdown in his first action of the season. Junior Sage Booker followed with 17 yards on 11 attempts.
 
The nation's leading passer in Brandon Alt threw for 231 yards off 17 completions in 30 attempts and totaled four touchdowns for his second game with four touchdowns this season.
 
Senior Brendan Beaulieu led all BSU pass catchers with 100 yards off five receptions to set a program record with his 11^th career 100+ yard receiving game. He also added two touchdowns in the game including a 50-yarder. Joey Baron paced the Beavers with six catches, career-best, and totaled 53 yards and a touchdown while Dhel Duncan-Busby had two catches for 31 yards and a touchdown.
 
Spencer Wehr led the BSU defense with seven tackles while Max Buduris followed with six and added a sack. The Beavers sacked the quarterback three times in the game with Buduris, Zollie Kaplan and Caleb Young all reaching the quarterback. Kaplan totaled three tackles in the game, all of which were for a loss.
 
Tyler Shaver, Stephen Hoffman and Marcus Hansen all blocked punts in the game with Shaver recovering his in the endzone for a quick six points.
 
Bemidji State will continue play on the road next Saturday and travel to Minot State University for a clash of the Beavers. Kick-off is slated for 1:00 p.m., in Minot, N.D. Saturday, Oct. 1.
 
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).
 
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