The 14th game of the Hubcap Rivalry between Bemidji State University and University of Minnesota Crookston kicks off Saturday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. from Ed Widseth Field in Crookston, Minn. The Beavers (2-2, 0-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North) looks to extend a 12-1 record during the trophy series and 22-2 record overall since the two programs first met in 1927.
Bemidji State holds a commanding lead in the all-time series with a 22-2 mark against Minnesota Crookston. The two programs first played on Oct. 29, 1927, a 6-0 win by the Beavers in Crookston, Minn. The Beavers have won three in a row during the series, including a program-record 76-13 victory last season.
The Beavers again showed their dominance at home following a 40-22 homecoming win against the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University. BSU and SMSU exited the first quarter tied, 7-7, but 23 unanswered points by Bemidji State in the second quarter set the second half up with a 30-7 lead. The Mustangs outgained the Beavers on the day, 410-403, but BSU was able to control the run-game with 225 yards on the ground. Junior punter Isaac Aanerud also helped control the field position with five punts, three landing within the 20-yardline, and averaging 40.4 yards per punt. The Mustangs started seven of their 14 drives within their own 30-yardline and started in Beavers territory just once. BSU also continued to convert in the red zone, totaling a 100 percent conversion rate with five trips to inside the SMSU 20.
Junior running back Andrew Lackowski became the third Beavers running back to top 100 yards on the ground against the Mustangs, finishing with a career-high 114 on 21 carries. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and added 41 receiving yards, including his third touchdown reception of the season. Senior quarterback Jordan Hein made the most of his passes with three touchdown throws, also finding senior wide receiver Christian Lunde and redshirt freshman Mannie Kugmeh in the end zone. Sophomore fullback Matt Gross led BSU receiving with four catches and 50 yards.
Redshirt freshman Gabe Ames sparked the “Gang Green” defense with the game’s opening score, an 18-yard interception returned for a touchdown, which came off a tipped ball by junior safety John Vogeler. Vogeler finished with five tackles and the one pass breakup, while senior linebacker Niko Daniello led the BSU defense in tackles for the third straight game with 12. It was also his third straight game with at least 10 tackles. Daniello also added two tackles for a loss of five yards. He exited the week tied for sixth in the NSIC with 39 tackles on the season. Senior defensive end Alex Burgess grabbed one tackle for a loss with his 14th career sack, one shy of ranking 10th all-time at BSU. Sophomore corner back Michael Junker snagged the team’s first fumble recovery of the season to set up a touchdown drive to end the first half. While allowing just one score in the first half, BSU forced three punts, two turnovers and two turnovers on downs through the first two quarters.
Minnesota Crookston’s defense limited University of Sioux Falls to its second-lowest point output of the season, despite a 34-0 loss. The Golden Eagles offense was unable to get much production against the nation’s second-ranked defense. UMC’s defense gave up their second lowest defensive yardage of the season against USF as it has continued to show improvement in the last two games against Wayne State College and USF. Quarterback Jeremy Neuman entered the game for his first action of the season and threw for 126 yards. Lincoln Tappe grabbed three catches for 62 yards.
The Golden Eagles enter the weekend 15th in the NSIC in both scoring offense with 10.0 points per game and scoring defense with 41.8 points allowed. Though UMC has limited opponents to 219.5 passing yards per game, to rank eighth in the league, the rush defense ranks 16th with 314.0 yards allowed.
Listen to the game on Saturday. The Benusa Pregame Show starts at 12:30pm, with the kickoff set for 1pm.