BEMIDJI, Minn. – The No. 13/9 Bemidji State University Football team returns home to host MSU Moorhead in the Battle for the Axe this Saturday at 1 p.m. inside Chet Anderson Stadium in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. The game will be an Orange Out, with fans encouraged to wear orange. It will also be Lions Day hosted by the Bemidji Lions Club.

Bemidji State (7-1, 7-1 NSIC) jumped out to the 38-17 lead on their way to claiming the 38-31 win on the road at No. 25 Minnesota Duluth this past Saturday. Brandon Alt threw for 271 yards and a pair of touchdowns to move to 105 passing touchdowns in NSIC contests. Alt is the new NSIC passing touchdown record holder at 105. Sage Booker broke off a pair of big runs to go along with seven carries for 120 yards. He had TD runs of 74 and 30 in the victory. Dhel Duncan-Busby caught six passes for 76 yards. The defense came away with four tackles for loss (Colton Herman, Theodus Ringgold, Stephen Hoffman and Marcus Hansen. Hansen added a strip-sack as well. The second straight win in Duluth is the first time in series history for the Beavers to accomplish that feat.

The NSIC standings remain close. With Augustana's loss at Wayne State, there is a three-way tie for first. Augustana, Minnesota State and Bemidji State are all 7-1 in conference play. Minnesota Duluth is in fourth at 6-2, followed by MSU Moorhead and Wayne State in a tie for fifth.

BSU leads the NSIC in third down conversion percentage on defense (0.285), 14^th nationally, in defensive touchdowns scored (2), 30^th nationally, first downs allowed on defense (132), 21^st nationally, passes that have been intercepted (4), 10^th nationally, team passing efficiency on defense allowed per game (99.82), 12^th nationally. BSU ranks high nationally in several other categories including, 26^th in third down conversion percentage on offense (0.452), 11^th in fewest penalties (40), 14^th in kickoff return yardage allowed per game (15.31), 21^st in passes that have been intercepted (13), 16^th in passing offense per game (258.8), 22^nd in red zone defense percentage (0.667), eighth in sacks allowed per game (0.75), 21^st in scoring defense in points allowed per game (16.4), 23^rd in scoring offense in points per game (36.6), 27^th in tackles for loss allowed per game (4.88), 28^th in team passing efficiency per game (151.55), 27^th in team sacks per game (2.88), 22^nd in team tackles for loss per game (7.9), 23^rd in total offense per game (425.2), 19^th in turnover margin (1.00), 24^th in turnovers lost (10) and 20^th in win-loss percentage (0.875).

Individually, Alt is 20^th nationally in passing touchdowns (19), 21^st in passing yards per game (241.6), 27^th in completions per game (17.50), 29^th in passing efficiency (150.7) and 30^th in total offense per game (249.9). Duncan-Busby leads the NSIC and ranks 11^th nationally in receiving touchdowns (9). Marko Jovisic is 25^th nationally in field goal percentage (0.750) and 30^th in field goals per game (1.00). Jarrett Klein is 19^th nationally in forced fumbles (2). De'vonta' Roberts is 27^th nationally in kickoff return yards per game (25.1). Hansen is first in the NSIC and 14^th nationally in tackles for loss per game (1.6).  

Alt eclipsed 10,000 career passing yards at Wayne State. He enters the game this week with 10,582 career passing yards. Over the past 34 games, Alt has thrown for 103 touchdowns and has 113 for his career.

The defense has 24 sacks and 13 interceptions on the season. The defense recorded three sacks against CSP to snap a streak of two games without one. On the season, the Beavers have at least four sacks in four games. The defense did tally three interceptions to record multiple INT for the fifth game this year against the Golden Bears. After Caleb Young returned an interception for a touchdown against Wayne State, Buduris added one against Concordia-St. Paul. BSU has returned 13 interceptions for 262 yards this season.

Alt has completed 140-237 for 1,933 yards and 19 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Sam McGath has completed 11-20 for 137 yards and three touchdowns.  

On the ground, Ali Mohamed leads the team rushing 92 times for 453 yards and seven touchdowns. Following Booker's big game at Minnesota Duluth, he now has 54 carries for 370 yards and five touchdowns. Jayden Washington has rushed for 191 yards on 48 carries and a touchdown. Jarrett Gronski has 46 carries for 168 yards and a touchdown, while McGath has rushed 16 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Duncan-Busby has caught 34 passes for 519 yards and nine touchdowns. Jake Hill has 22 receptions for 331 yards and two scores. Brice Peters also has a pair of touchdowns to go along with 18 receptions for 238 yards. Drayton Lehman has 14 catches for 233 yards. Joey Baron had three touchdowns, while Booker and Mike Wandmaker added two receiving touchdowns.

On defense, Buduris leads the team with 42 tackles, 32 solo, along with six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, an interception and six passes broken up. Klein has 37 tackles, 23 solo, along with 1.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. Stephen Hoffman has 33 tackles, 14 solo, along with seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three passes broken up. Spencer Wehr gives the Beavers with four posting over 30 tackles with 32, 13 solo, four tackles for loss and three passes broken up. Wehr also has an interception. Hansen continues to lead the team in tackles for loss at 14 and 6.5 sacks, along with 29 tackles, 19 solo and two forced fumbles. Princeten Harris and Jamel Stone are tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Hoffman, Hansen and Jacob Drietz all have a blocked punt this season.

MSU Moorhead leads the series at 47-38-3 since 1929. The first Battle for the Axe took place in 1948 with the Dragons claiming the 13-6 win in Moorhead. BSU has won three straight in the series and are 22-20-2 at home in the series. The last five meetings in Bemidji have all been close. BSU won 22-19 back in 2021. Prior to that MSU Moorhead claimed wins in 2018 (31-26), 2016 (42-41) and 2014 (27-21). BSU then won in 2012 (35-25). Last year in Moorhead the Beavers cruised to the 46-7 road victory.

MSU Moorhead enters with a record of 6-3 overall and 5-3 in NSIC play. The Dragons have won three straight and their three losses have been by a combined 15 points (Wayne State (eight points), Augustana (four points), Minnesota State (three points) all on the road). The air raid passing attack is led by Jack Strand whose 32 passing touchdowns are second in the nation and his 3,314 passing yards are also second in the nation. The Dragons average 35.2 points per game and allow 24.1 points per contest.

The game will be broadcasted on the NSIC Network and on Beaver Radio Network. BSU will be using cashless tickets for the season, so please make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time on HomeTown Tickets by clicking here.

Game Notes        NSIC Network        Live Stats         Beaver Radio Network

Bemidji State Notes

-        Brent Bolte stands alone in second in program history for wins by a head coach with 59. His .747 winning percentage is the best all-time and he is second in program history for conference wins at 56

-        Bemidji State had just their second home loss over the past two seasons, both against Minnesota State. Bolte is 29-9 during his time as head coach at home

-        Bemidji State enters this week ranked No. 13 in the AFCA Poll and No. 9 in the D2Football.com Poll. The Beavers opened the season ranked eighth in the Lindy's College Football Preseason Poll

-        BSU leads or is tied for the NSIC lead in 6 categories following week nine

-        In 79 games under Bolte, BSU has scored less than 20 points just seven times, which occurred once last year

-        Forty-seven of Bolte's wins have come when scoring at least 30 points, which has happened in six games this season

-        Bemidji State is 14-3 on the road over the past two-plus seasons and Bolte is 30-11 away from Bemidji

-              BSU has allowed 14 or less points in five of eight games this season and has won by at least 20 points in five of the seven victories. Three times the Beavers have won by over 30 points

-       MSU Moorhead leads the series at 47-38-3 since 1929. The first Battle for the Axe took place in 1948 with the Dragons claiming the 13-6 win in Moorhead. BSU has won three straight in the series and are 22-20-2 at home in the series. The last five meetings in Bemidji have all been close. BSU won 22-19 back in 2021. Prior to that MSU Moorhead claimed wins in 2018 (31-26), 2016 (42-41) and 2014 (27-21). BSU then won in 2012 (35-25). Last year in Moorhead the Beavers cruised to the 46-7 road victory.

-              BSU leads the NSIC in third down conversion percentage on defense (0.285), 14^th nationally, in defensive touchdowns scored (2), 30^th nationally, first downs allowed on defense (132), 21^st nationally, passes that have been intercepted (4), 10^th nationally, team passing efficiency on defense allowed per game (99.82), 12^th nationally. BSU ranks high nationally in several other categories including, 26^th in third down conversion percentage on offense (0.452), 11^th in fewest penalties (40), 14^th in kickoff return yardage allowed per game (15.31), 21^st in passes that have been intercepted (13), 16^th in passing offense per game (258.8), 22^nd in red zone defense percentage (0.667), eighth in sacks allowed per game (0.75), 21^st in scoring defense in points allowed per game (16.4), 23^rd in scoring offense in points per game (36.6), 27^th in tackles for loss allowed per game (4.88), 28^th in team passing efficiency per game (151.55), 27^th in team sacks per game (2.88), 22^nd in team tackles for loss per game (7.9), 23^rd in total offense per game (425.2), 19^th in turnover margin (1.00), 24^th in turnovers lost (10) and 20^th in win-loss percentage (0.875).

-              Individually, Alt is 20^th nationally in passing touchdowns (19), 21^st in passing yards per game (241.6), 27^th in completions per game (17.50), 29^th in passing efficiency (150.7) and 30^th in total offense per game (249.9). Duncan-Busby leads the NSIC and ranks 11^th nationally in receiving touchdowns (9). Marko Jovisic is 25^th nationally in field goal percentage (0.750) and 30^th in field goals per game (1.00). Jarrett Klein is 19^th nationally in forced fumbles (2). De'vonta' Roberts is 27^th nationally in kickoff return yards per game (25.1). Hansen is first in the NSIC and 14^th nationally in tackles for loss per game (1.6).  

-        Bolte is 4-2 against MSU Moorhead, going 1-2 at home. The Beavers have won the past three meetings outscoring the Dragons 96-50.

-        Bemidji State picked up their 400^th program victory at Wayne State and are now at 402

-        Including his time as an assistant, Bolte is 167-88 with the Beavers

-        The defense didn't allow any team to rush for over 200 yards last year and seven times held teams under 100 rushing yards. So far in 2023, the Beavers have limited four teams to under 100 rushing yards and only two teams to rush for over 200 yards. The game against CSP, the Beavers held the Golden Bears to just 64 passing yards

-        When BSU leads at the half, they hold a 24-0 record in the last two-plus seasons. The only loss this season against Minnesota State was the only time trailing at the break

-        BSU has continued to dominate in the red zone to start the 2023 season. The Beavers have scored on 34 of 39 chances so far this season for 203 points. The drives have ended with 27 touchdowns and seven field goals

-        On the flip side of that, the defense has allowed just 27 trips inside the 20 and 18 scores for 90 total points. UMD was just the second team to go perfect on red zone trips this season converting on 4-4 times inside the 20 for 24 points. The only other time a team went perfect was Winona State going 1-1 for just three points in the third game of the season

-        The defense forced four interceptions in week one, which is the most in a game since tallying four against Minnesota Crookston during the 2019 season. BSU added two more in week three, five and seven, before a three interception game in week eight for 13 on the season to rank second in the NSIC and 21^st nationally

-        Six times last year Bemidji State tallied at least four sacks in a game. The high was nine against MSU Moorhead on Oct. 15, 2022. This season the defense continues to post high sack numbers. Six times this season the Beavers have at least a sack and have 24 on the season to rank third in the NSIC and 27^th nationally

-        For the first time in the last 33 games, Bemidji State had more rushing than passing yards. Against CSP, the Beavers rushed for 223 and passed for 127. Five times during the 2019 season the Beavers had more rushing than passing yards. It was a balanced attack against the Bulldogs passing for 271 yards and rushing for 212 yards

-        Bemidji State ranked in the top-25 nationally last year in passing offense (4th), red zone defense (13th), rushing defense (22nd), sacks allowed (5th), scoring defense (25th), scoring offense (11th), team passing efficiency (10th), team passing efficiency defense (22nd), team sacks (9th) and total offense (10th)

MSU Moorhead Notes

-              The Dragons are led by Steve Laqua who is 58-73 currently in his 12th season at MSUM. He's gone 4-7 in his career against Bemidji State.

-              MSUM was picked to finish 10th in the NSIC Preseason Poll.

-              UMD returns NSIC Players to Watch in WR Gage Florence and DL Hayden Carr. Florence has 91 receptions for 886 yards and seven touchdowns. Carr has 21 tackles (11 solo), along with 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and three pass breakups.

-              Last time out, MSUM held off Winona State to win by a score of 20-17 in Moorhead. The Dragons held the 13-3 halftime lead and stretched it to 20-3 before the Warriors surged back.

-              The Dragons are averaging 35.22 points and allowing 24.11 points per game. MSUM relies on a air raid style of offense with QB Jack Strand passing for 3,314 yards and 32 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. The Dragons have scored at least 20 points in all nine games this season. Of their three losses, they've been by a combined 15 points, with the biggest loss being eight points at Wayne State.

-              Last year's meeting saw BSU score the first 29 points on the road to build the 29-7 halftime lead. The Beavers scored all 17 points in the second half for the 46-7 victory. Alt passed for 311 yards and a TD. Jake Hill caught five passes for 122 yards and a TD. Jalen Frye rushed for a trio of scores and 92 yards. Zollie Kaplan tallied three sacks, as BSU came away with nine sacks.