ABERDEEN, S.D. — Bemidji State University Football lost to (RV)/No. 25 Northern State University 16-9 on Saturday. The Beavers held the Wolves scoreless in the fourth quarter and scored all nine of their points in the fourth quarter, but the late push was not enough.
The Beavers owned a slight edge in possession at 32:21 and finished with 15 first downs to 14 for Northern State, while converting both of their red-zone trips. The Beavers' offense produced 146 passing yards and 114 rushing yards, but Northern State did more of its damage on the ground with 232 rushing yards compared with 52 through the air.
The Beavers' defense limited the Wolves' 70-yard opening drive to a 28-yard field goal, with
L'Shawn Taylor breaking up a third-down pass from the BSU 10 before the home team went up 3-0. The Beavers forced punts on Northern State's next two full drives, including a three-and-out that began with
Tavon Rice's tackle for loss, but their offense was held to two rushing first downs and went 0-for-3 on third down.
Rodrigo Castaneda averaged 46 yards on three punts, placing two inside the 20, and the Beavers ended the first quarter trailing 3-0.
Bemidji State's defense opened the second quarter with a goal-line stand, stopping Northern State at the BSU 1 on fourth-and-1. The offense could not move out of backed-up field position, and Northern State blocked a Castaneda punt and returned it 6 yards for a touchdown at 8:33 to make it 9-0. The Beavers later forced a punt after
Ben Watson's tackle for loss and closed the quarter with a 26-yard drive from their own 2, but finished the second quarter down 9-0.
The Beavers were held scoreless in the third quarter, with their two longest possessions ending on fourth-down incompletions at the NSU 48 and 28. Northern State added the quarter's only points on Hank Kraft's 52-yard touchdown run and the extra point, making it 16-0.
Joey Funderburk's 6-yard sack helped the Beavers force a punt on the next Northern State possession, and
Sema'j Young's 13-yard return gave BSU the ball at the Northern State 49.
The Beavers scored on consecutive fourth-quarter possessions, with
Mack Molander finding
Zavery Guerra for a 3-yard touchdown at 2:10 and
Kyle Nadler making a 32-yard field goal at 1:08 to pull within 16-9. The touchdown capped an eight-play, 53-yard drive, and the Beavers got the ball back at their 47 after Nadler's onside kickoff before moving into range for the field goal. Northern State took over after the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to finish a 16-9 Beavers loss.
Guerra caught seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Molander completed 6 of 9 passes for 61 yards and one touchdown and added 13 rushing yards.
Jayden Washington led the Beavers on the ground with 56 yards on 14 carries.
Caden Bolte led the defense with six tackles.
The Beavers are 2-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play. Northern State is 5-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Up next, the Beavers host Wayne State College on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m. in Bemidji.
For more information on the Bemidji State Football program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversFB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
