Battle Axe Rivalry renews for 77th installment
Second-oldest traveling trophy in NCAA Division II on the line Saturday

Bemidji State University Football travels to Moorhead, Minn. Saturday for a noon kick off against Minnesota State University Moorhead at Nemzek Stadium. The matchup will be the 77th time the coveted Battle Axe will be up for grabs.

Seventy-six times the two teams have met on the gridiron to stake claim of a traveling trophy called The Battle Axe – an ancient weapon from New Guinea.

Currently the second longest traveling trophy in Division II history, the Beavers and Dragons have played every season for the coveted bragging right with BSU trailing in the all-time Axe series 35-38-3 but have won 19 of the last 25 games and a five-game win streak.

Last season, Bemidji State downed MSU Moorhead, 25-14. This win included a tackle for a safety from, then senior, defensive lineman Cade Barrett and a “Hail Mary” touchdown pass from Sam McGath to Brice Peters to pull withing five points heading into the half, down 15-9. McGath would go on to score a two-yard rushing touchdown around nine minutes into the third quarter, giving the Beavers the upper hand.

For more information on the Battle Axe, visit https://bsubeavers.com/documents/2025/5/29/Bemidji_State_Football_2025_Record_Book.pdf. Information on the series can be found on page 49 of the Beaver Football record book.