BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Football is set to host Minot State University for a 2 p.m. kickoff on Saturday as part of the 2026 Bemidji State Homecoming celebrations. Tailgate for the event opens three hours prior at Diamond Point Park.
BSU NOTES
- Bemidji State enters the weekend at 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference after falling to Concordia University, St. Paul in the final moments of last Saturday's meeting in St. Paul, 34-31.
- The Beavers totaled 425 yards of offense against the Golden Bears, but gave up almost 100 more to CSP with 518. BSU took the lead with 1:52 to play in the game, but allowed an eight-play, 75-yard drive to end in a CSP touchdown with just 15 seconds remaining in the game.
- BSU averages 141.0 rushing yards and 227.75 through the air this season, marking 10 rushing touchdowns and five passing/receiving. The Beavers grab an average of 3.7 yards per rush attempt and 15.44 per catch.
- Running back Antonio Brown leads the Beavers' ground game with 140 rushing yards on 24 attempts, while Connor Carver has earned a team-leading five touchdowns in 27 attempts with 128 yards.
- Quarterback Bart McAninch leads the passing game for BSU with 43 completions and four touchdowns. He has thrown for a total of 735 yards, averaging 183.75 per game. On the receiving side, Lucas Peterson leads the team with 223 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 55.75 per game. Close behind, Zavery Guerra has marked 196 receiving yards for an average of 17.82 per catch.
- On the defensive side of the ball, Caden Bolte leads the Gang Green Defense with 26 total tackles, 14 solo and 12 assisted. He has added a pass breakup and a hurry. Joey Funderburk leads the way in plays behind the line of scrimmage with 4.0 tackles for a loss of 17 yards, including 2.0 sacks for 14 yards.
- This weekend's festivities include a long lineup of events and activities, more information including tailgate details, will be released later this week.
MSU NOTES
- The Minot State Beavers enter the week at 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference after earning their first win of the season last Saturday with a dominant 59-0 win over Southwest Minnesota State University.
- The MSU offense relies heavily on its rushing efforts, ranking second in the NCAA and first in the conference with an average of 359.3 yards per game. This is heavily driven by the MSU offensive line being ranked 10th in the NCAA for sacks allowed with just two sacks in four games.
- The MSU Beavers are also top 10 in time of possession (7th) and turnovers gained (4th).
- MSU's rushing efforts are led by Brandon Hines Jr. who is top seven in the NCAA in rushing yards per carry (3rd), rushing touchdowns (6th), rushing yards and rushing yards per game (5th), scoring, total points scored and total touchdowns (7th). He is averaging 151.5 rushing yards per game and has grabbed an average of 12 points per game with eight touchdowns.
- The MSU Beavers' passing efforts are where the offense struggles, ranking 152nd in the NCAA (out of 159) for passing offense and 34th in passes had intercepted. The Beavers average 97.0 yards per game through the air and hold a 121.99 passing efficiency.
- MSU hosts Minnesota State University Moorhead next weekend.
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).
