By Kristin Farris
BSU Sports Information
BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University football is set to host the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, Sep. 13 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day and the annual Lions Club Game.
Fans are encouraged to get to Chet Anderson Stadium early as the team will honor its class of 2025 22 minutes prior to kickoff and the first fans through the gate will receive free clear bags from Sanford Health. Tickets are available online through this link or in person. Bemidji State tickets are only available on Hometown Ticketing and should not be purchased through other parties’ sites. Tickets range from $7 for youth to $19 for reserved chairbacks. Keg N’ Cork X Bernick’s East Endzone passes are available in person only for $11 and fans must be 21+ to purchase. BSU and NTC students should remember to set up their student passes prior to Saturday. This can be done by going to the tickets link and selecting Division II All Sports Pass, then entering your StarID and password. These passes will open later this week.
The Hot Springs Hot Tubs of Northern Minnesota Beaver Football Tailgate starts two hours prior to kick off at Diamond Point Park and all are encouraged to attend.
Bemidji State Notes
Bemidji State enters the weekend in a tough spot, having lost the past two games against Michigan Tech and Winona State.
The Beavers have found trouble in the second halves of both games, often leading after the first and second quarters, but remaining scoreless in the third and fourth. All 34 of the team’s points this season have come between the first two quarters.
A stark contrast to the previous few seasons, the Beavers are out of the top 100 in NCAA Division II in around seven statistical categories. The team has struggled offensively, ranking 139th in passing, 108th in scoring and 109th in total offense.
Defensively, the Beavers are 64th overall in total defense with a rank of 55th in passing yards allowed and 76th in passing efficiency defense.
Quarterback Connor Carver leads the Beaver offense with 219 rushing yards (2 touchdowns) and 163 passing yards (1 touchdown). He is throwing just over 50% with 19 completions on 37 attempts and averages 81.50 passing yards per game.
Carver’s top receiver at the moment is Imarion Kelly with 54 yards, averaging 27 per game and 10.80 per catch. Behind him is the lone Beaver to catch a pass and bring it to the endzone this season, Michael Schurman. Schurman has marked 43 yards and the one touchdown for an average of 21.50 yards per game.
Defensively, Caden Bolte has shot to the top of the Beavers statistical boards. He has grabbed 14 solo tackles and one assisted, plus one tackle for a loss and two pass breakups.
Connor Mantelli leads the Beavers’ special teams with nine punts for a 38.78-yard average, gone two-for-two on field goals and has marked eight kickoffs for an average distance of 58.8 yards.
Sioux Falls Notes
The 2-0 Cougars have picked up wins against Black Hills State University and Northern State University this season, earning them votes in the AFCA Coaches’ Poll.
The Cougars are ranked at No. 1 in the NSIC for rushing defense (80 yards per game) and time of possession (38:48 per game) this season. They’re also in the top 50 in the NCAA for passing offense, red zone offense and defense, rushing offense and defense, scoring offense, time of possession and total offense.
Bubba Tann III is the leading rusher for USF with 171 net yards on 41 attempts. Just behind him, quarterback Camden Dean has gained more yardage (209 yards), but has lost 41 to bring his net to 168 yards. Both have marked three rushing touchdowns.
Dean is throwing at 69% with 38 completions on 55 attempts for 471 yards with four passing touchdowns.
Dean’s top receiver comes in the form of Hank Brown Jr. who has marked 191 receiving yards but has yet to find the endzone.
Defensively, the Cougar defense shares the spotlight with the leader, Garret Hoffman only having ten tackles, five solo and five assisted. The defense has proven to be a problem for offenses when it comes to making plays in the backfield as they’ve grabbed 10 tackles for a loss and two sacks with two interceptions, six pass breakups and five quarterback hurries.
USF has attempted one field goal from 40-49 yards this season and Alex Akim was unable to make it through the uprights. Scott Dickson leads the charge on kickoff and punt with an average kick of 53 yards and an average punt of 30.33
Next week, USF hosts Minnesota Duluth in Sioux Falls.