BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Football has been projected to finish seventh in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced by the conference Monday morning. 
 
Last season, the Beavers finished ninth in the conference with a 4-7 overall record, going 4-6 in the conference. The Beavers struggled to get into the win column until week five when they took the homecoming victory over Northern State University, winning by a field goal. From there, the Beavers added three more wins over Wayne State College, University of Jamestown and University of Mary. The season ended with the Beavers' home win over UMary, taking the game 34-21.
 
"After a disappointing 2025 campaign, this team is hungry to get back on the field and reestablish our brand of play here at BSU," said Beaver Head Coach Brent Bolte. "We return a large portion of our two deep and key contributors from last year's squad and are excited about the group of young men that arrived in the spring, along with the incoming class this fall."
 
Senior defensive back Caden Bolte was selected as the Beavers' Preseason Defensive Player to Watch. Bolte led the Beaver defense during the 2025 season, grabbing a First Team All-NSIC nod. Amassing 65 total tackles with a team-high 47 solo and 18 assisted, Bolte was prominent in BSU's pass defense with one interception, eight pass breakups and one quarterback hurry. He also added a forced fumble and a recovery, as well as a safety at Wayne State College. He finished the season seventh in the NSIC and 82^nd in the NCAA for passes defended. Bolte also ranked in the top 50 nationally for solo tackles, taking 47^th with 4.70 per game. 
 
"Caden will be a three-year starter for us and is a returning First Team All-NSIC player for us last season," said Coach Bolte. "He is our quarterback on the defensive side of the ball. He brings a violence from the third level and has developed into a very well-rounded overall player for us in the back half."
 
On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Connor Carver was selected as BSU's Preseason Offensive Player to Watch. Carver began the season as the Beavers' top quarterback, rotating game-by-game with Bart McAninch throughout the season. His efforts on the ground led Carver to be nominated and voted on by the NSIC as a running back, earning Second-Team All-Conference honors. In just his second season playing for the Beavers, after redshirting during his true-freshman campaign, Carver led the ground attack with 97 rushes in nine games. He marked 812 yards gained and 725 net, averaging 7.5 per carry and 80.56 per game. Carver added a team-leading eight rushing touchdowns, on top of his five passing and one receiving, to lead the team in scoring. Carver found himself ranked at No. 7 in the NCAA for rushing yards per carry at the end of the season, on top of numerous top 50 and top 100 rankings. 
 
"Carver is a unique athlete that has the potential to be a home run threat not only with his arm but his legs as well," said Bolte. "He is a returning All-Conference selection and has been a key contributor since his red-shirt freshman year."
 
The Beavers kick off the 100^th anniversary season on August 27 at Chet Anderson Stadium. With a new artificial turf playing surface being installed now, the Beavers will be set to host the Michigan Technological University Huskies at 6 p.m. for the annual Shrine Game. More information on the season opener will be available in August. Season tickets are on sale now through this link and single-game tickets can be found here. 
 
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).