Battle Axe on the line as BSU Football travels to MSU-Moorhead

The Bemidji State University Football team will fight to retain the Battle Axe trophy this weekend as it travels to Moorhead, Minn., to face Minnesota State University, Moorhead in one of the longest rivalries in Division II football.

The Beavers (4-2, 2-0 NSIC North) travel to face the Dragons (2-4, 1-1 NSIC North) Saturday, Oct. 15 at Noon from Scheels Field in Moorhead, Minn. The game will be broadcast on the Beaver Radio Network.

Since 1948 Bemidji State and MSU-Moorhead have been playing for more than just a victory. They will also be playing to claim the second-longest traveling trophy in DII history, the Battle Axe.

In 72 meetings with the Battle Axe on the line, MSU-Moorhead has won the axe 39 times compared to 31 for the Beavers. However, BSU has won 15 of the last 19 meetings including the last two.

The Bemidji State-MSU-Moorhead rivalry dates farther than 1948 when the two teams first met in 1929. Bemidji State is 37-47-3 in 87 all-time meetings.

When playing in Moorhead, the Dragons are 27-15-1 in the all-time series.

The rivlary between the Beavers and Dragons is the longest lasting in BSU history at 87 years and the two teams have played every year since 1946 excluding the canceled 2020 season.