BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Football hosts (RV) Michigan Technological University Thursday at 6 p.m. at Chet Anderson Stadium to kick off the 2026 season. To help celebrate the season opener, the Beavers have partnered with Shriners Children's to start the season with the annual Shrine Bowl.
 
Bemidji State Notes

• Bemidji State kicks off the season Thursday, looking to break the tie set last year in Houghton, Mich. The Beavers and Huskies are 1-1 in the current series, MTU leading 22-11 in the all-time series, after the Beavers took an overtime win in 2024 followed by a Husky win last fall.
• Last season, the Beavers went 4-7 overall after a tough opening run, going 0-5, before a Homecoming win over Northern State University broke the streak. 
• BSU averaged 24.73 points per game in 2025, allowing 33.00, and marked an average of 358.6 yards of total offense each competition. They totaled 37 touchdowns with 20 on the ground and 17 through the air. 
• Returning this season, quarterback Connor Carver led the Beaver offense on the ground, averaging 80.56 yards per game with eight touchdowns scored. Carver ended the season with a total of 725 rushing yards in nine games and was selected to the All-NSIC North Second Team as a running back.
• Bart McAninch also returns to the Beaver quarterbacks' room for his sophomore year. McAninch led the team in passing with a 146.86 passer rating, 105 completions on 156 attempts and 11 touchdown passes. He averaged 134.67 passing yards per game. 
• On defense, defensive back Caden Bolte returns for his final season after leading the program in solo and total tackles in 2025. He tallied 47 solo tackles, 18 assisted and 65 total. Bolte added an interception and eight pass breakups with a hurry, forced fumble and fumble recovery. He also marked a safety against Wayne State in the Beavers' 26-21 win.
• Next week, the Beavers kick off the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule with Southwest Minnesota State University at 3 p.m. Sep. 5. The Beaver senior class will be recognized prior to the game. 

 
Michigan Tech Notes

• Michigan Tech starts the season on a high note, receiving votes in the AFCA Preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll. Last season, the Huskies finished 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They finished fourth in the GLIAC behind national champions Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University and Saginaw Valley State University.
• In 2025, the Huskies averaged 32.00 points per game with 363.4 yards of total offense. Their passing efforts were a dominant driving force, marking an average of 200.09 passing yards per game. 
• Returning this season, senior Jake Rueff led MTU on the ground with 135 rushing attempts for 553 net yards and four touchdowns. Rueff averaged 55.30 yards per game and 4.1 per carry. Quarterback Alex Bueno is back this season as well. Last season Bueno averaged 157.10 passing yards per game with 1571 total on 133 completions, marking 13 touchdowns. On the receiving end, returner Nic Nora led the team with 55.00 yards per game and five touchdowns scored.
• Defensively, Chase Koch led the Huskies last year, marking 106 total tackles. He led the team in solo (54) and assisted tackles (52) and interceptions (2).
• The Huskies will play a total of four non-conference games before kicking off GLIAC action at Roosevelt University on October 3. Next week they'll host Midwestern State University in Houghton.

 
In partnership with Shriner Children's, the Beavers will recognize members of Shrine clubs from Bemidji, Duluth and Grand Forks, as well as this year's Shrine Bowl Princess, 17-year-old Ella Morris. Shriners Children's exists to change and improve children's lives by providing specialized pediatric medical care in a compassionate, family-centered setting. Its purpose is not only to treat children with serious medical needs, but also to give families hope, support, and access to expert care. 

The organization helps children with orthopedic conditions, neuromuscular disorders, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, craniofacial conditions, cleft lip and palate, spine problems, sports injuries, and other complex health needs. Shriners Children's also supports medical research to discover better treatments and educates doctors and health care professionals so more children can receive high-quality care. A major part of its mission is making care available regardless of a family's ability to pay, which allows children to receive treatment based on need rather than cost.

As part of the Shrine Bowl, Bemidji Headwaters Shrine Club is hosting a free screening clinic at Sanford Orthopedic Friday, Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. Community members are encouraged to call (218)760-2188 to make an appointment or walk-in on Friday. 

Fans will also be able to enjoy tailgate specialties from three food trucks during the home opener, Sota Sips, Borealis Creamery and Chad's Meat Wagon prior to kickoff. Tickets for the game are available here, or in person at the ticketing trailer. Tickets for the Keg 'N Cork & DS Beverage East Endzone are only available in person, to those 21+ with a valid photo ID. 

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).