MIDLAND, Texas – The No. 21/15 Bemidji State University Football team defeated No. 12/10 Texas-Permian Basin 10-3 on the road Saturday to advance to the second round of the NCAA Playoffs for the third straight year.
In a low-scoring battle throughout, Brandon Alt's second quarter touchdown pass to Mike Wandmaker ended up being the difference.
UTPB (10-2) held the slight 264-220 edge in total yards, as the Beavers (9-2) forced two interceptions including one in the red zone early to swing momentum.
"Great team win today. The defense played its best game of the year and Elliott Lowney was an impact player punting the ball," head coach Brent Bolte said. "Excited to leave Texas with a W, well deserved for this team. They earned it."
Right away, the defense came up big. With the offense forced to punt, the ball was out near midfield. The Falcons moved inside the red zone and appeared to score, but the touchdown was called back on a holding. After an incompletion, Kenny Hrncir's pass was intercepted by Jamel Stone in the end zone to swing momentum.
A special teams play prevented points on the next UTPB drive. With the ball at the BSU 28, the Falcons attempted a field goal from 45 yards out that was blocked by Marco Cavallaro.
Bemidji State then looked ready to put the first points on the board early in the second quarter. After a third down pickup on an Alt pass to Drayton Lehman moved the ball to the eight, Ali Mohamed had it at the one with a seven-yard carry. Two rushing plays netted zero yards which resulted in a fourth-and-goal at the one. BSU tried to pass for it, but the pass fell incomplete turning the ball over on downs.
With good field position midway through the quarter, the Beavers were able to turn it into points. Starting at the BSU 43, Alt quickly found Wandmaker for 12 yards to the UTPB 45. The drive eventually reached the UTPB 20 where the Beavers had a fourth-and-five. Alt found Sage Booker for the five-yard gain and the first down. Following a rushing play for zero yards, Alt hit Wandmaker for the 15-yard touchdown to push BSU to the 7-0 lead after Marko Jovisic hit the extra point.
The second half started just like the game with the teams struggling to find a rhythm with both defenses making plays. With the ball out near midfield, the Beavers were able to add to the lead. Alt hit Dhel Duncan-Busby for 16 yards and then Brice Peters for 18 yards to push the ball into the red zone at the UTPB 12. The drive eventually stalled at the two and the Beavers settled for the 20-yard field goal that Jovisic connected on to push the lead to 10-0.
"The game plan was simple, we were going to go out and play with violence, and that's what we did," Marcus Hansen said, who led the Beavers with eight tackles.
Early in the fourth quarter, the defense delivered another big stop. Hrncir tried to launch the deep ball, but his pass was tipped by Princeten Harris and intercepted by Caleb Young at the BSU 19.
The theme of the day continued with another defensive stand later in the quarter. UTPB moved the ball from their 13 all the way to the BSU 33. The defense then stood tall getting two incompletions and stopped a rushing play for a loss. The Falcons had to go for it and the fourth down attempt failed turning the ball over on downs.
UTPB tallied their only points on the following drive that resulted in a 44-yard field goal by Rafael Vargas to leave Bemidji State with the 10-3 lead.
With just 39 seconds remaining, the onside kick was unsuccessful and BSU just had to take one kneel down to secure the 10-3 victory.
Alt went 19-24 for 151 yards and a touchdown. Duncan-Busby brought in three passes for 43 yards. Wandmaker had three catches for 30 yards and the only touchdown. On the ground, Mohamed had 19 carries for 38 yards. Booker rushed 11 times for 27 yards.
Hansen led the defense with eight tackles, three solo, along with a half-tackle for loss. Max Buduris and Spencer Wehr added seven tackles apiece. Buduris had a tackle for loss and Wehr added two tackles for loss.
"It was a blessing to be able to have the opportunity for a second season," Buduris said. "This feeling is amazing, and excited to get back to play at the Chet."
The gang green defense held UTPB to just 6-19 on third downs and an offense that came in averaging 46 points was held to just three. It's the fewest points that UTPB has scored since being shutout by now Division I Texas A&M-Commerce during the 2021 season.
Bemidji State will face No. 7 regional seed Central Washington in the NCAA Second Round of the Playoffs next Saturday (Nov. 25). The NCAA will determine a host for the game tomorrow (Sunday) night.
For more information on the Bemidji State Football program, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversFB). Like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).
Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooded 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).
