By Kristin Farris, Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Football travels to Mankato, Minn.
Saturday to take on the Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks at 6 p.m.

BSU NOTES

* The Beavers enter this first road weekend at 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Last week, the Beavers blanked the
Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs, 38-0, to earn the first win of the
season after falling by two points to Michigan Technological University in the
season opener the week prior.
* In the past four meetings of the Beavers and Mavericks, the Beavers have lost
by a margin of four points or less, most recently falling by four points in the
NCAA Division II Football Quarterfinals on Dec. 7, 2024, in Mankato. That was the
second time the Beavers and Mavericks had met that season, BSU had lost by just
two points in the initial meeting.
* Leading the charge on the ground for BSU this season is junior running back
Antonio Brown with 71 net yards on 12 attempts and one touchdown.
* Sophomore quarterback Bart McAninch and freshman Linebacker Frankie McAninch
will be playing a hometown game this weekend as graduates of Mankato West High
School. Bart leads the Beavers’ passing efforts with a 165.28 rating, completing
on 54.55% of passes and throwing for 341 yards and three touchdowns.
* On the receiving end, Zavery Guerra leads the Beavers with 140 receiving yards
on six receptions, averaging 23.33 yards per reception. Lucas Peterson leads the
scoring efforts for the Beaver wide receivers with two touchdowns.
* Defensively, Caden Bolte claimed the top spot for BSU after week one with 13
total tackles, eight of which were solo. Causing disruptions to opposing offenses,
sophomore Joey Funderburk leads the team with 3.0 tackles for a loss, totaling 16
yards. Funderburk is 62nd in NCAA DII for tackles for a loss and 3rd in NSIC.

MSU NOTES

* Minnesota State enters the weekend 2-0 overall and 1-0 in NSIC play after a
dominating win over the University of Mary last week, 48-7. The Mavericks started
their season with a 38-14 win at Colorado Mesa University in week zero.
* MSU leads the NISC in a handful of categories, with the Maverick defense
coming out strongest, including, defensive touchdowns (1), passes intercepted (5),
punt return defense (0.00 yards), red zone defense (.167), rushing defense (70.5
yards per game), scoring defense (10.5 pts), tackles for loss allowed (2.5 per
game), turnover margin (2.00), turnovers gained (6) and winning percentage (100%).
* Senior defensive back Jamal Spiyee is second in the nation and first in the
conference for interceptions this season, grabbing two against Mary last weekend.
* Junior running back Sam Backer sits in 25th in the NCAA for rushing yards this
season, marking a total of 196 after grabbing 165 last weekend, along with two
touchdowns.
* Quarterback Mitchell Thompson leads MSU’s passing offense with 278 yards and
three touchdowns, averaging 139.0 yards per game and has thrown one interception.
On the receiving end, Jackson Owens and Lebarion Gilmore lead with 161 yards (2
TD) and 113 yards (1 TD), respectively.
* Next weekend, the Mavericks will host the Northern State University Wolves at
1 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium.