BEMIDJI - They’re not done yet.
After the Bemidji State football team started 0-3, it certainly looked like the Beavers’ 2015 season was dead on arrival.
But following a six-game winning streak that has put them right back in the hunt for a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division title, the Beavers have made one thing clear: They’re not going to settle for “just” a winning season.
“We’ve already won (as many) games this year than we have the past two years,” senior linebacker Colton Blascyk said. “It’s a big deal, but we’re not done yet. We still feel like we have a lot more games to win here. Hopefully we can get the bowl game if we win out.”
The Beavers have a chance to do that, but it won’t be easy. Today’s matchup features frequent nemesis - and yearly playoff contender - Minnesota Duluth.The Beavers and the Bulldogs kick off at 1 p.m. at Chet Anderson Stadium.
“We’re just happy to be playing for something this late in the season again,” BSU head coach Jeff Tesch said.
“I’m happy for the players for that, for all the hard work they put in. To have these last few games have meaning, that’s fun.”
The Beavers (6-3, 5-0 NSIC North) have already secured a winning record after going 3-8 in their last two seasons, but a win against UMD (6-3, 4-1 NSIC North) would be their first over the Bulldogs since 1999.
They’ve come close recently - especially at home. In 2013, BSU took a lead into the fourth quarter but lost 31-21. In 2011 UMD won by a field goal, 26-23. And in 2009, it was a failed extra point with the clock at zero that proved the difference in UMD’s 35-34 win.
“We’ve had some really close games at home,” Tesch said. “Two years ago when they were here we had a chance to win and score and we had a turnover…. hopefully playing at home is worth a few points. We’re fired up to go play them and we think we have a real good chance.”
During this recent six-game win streak - tied for the longest since 1941 - the Beavers’ defense has been shutting teams down. In four of those games, the Beavers held their opponent to seven points.
“They’re getting turnovers. (Our offense is) not turning the ball over,” Tesch said. “Those have been keys. They’re just playing with a ton of confidence defensively now. We’re beating the teams we should.”
UMD, however, poses a unique threat. Quarterback Drew Bauer leads a run-heavy offense that has gained more than 2,250 yards on the ground.
Bauer has 661 yards and nine touchdowns on 146 carries (as well as 1,658 yards passing and 17 scores through the air). Running backs Jamiah Newell (361 yards, six touchdowns) and Logan Lauters (375 yards, 1 touchdown) have also been solid runners for UMD.
Freshman cornerback Gunner Olszewski said the Beavers defense was confident they’d be able to stop the run.
“We’re working on some stuff with the secondary, especially with the safeties moving down in the box, getting an extra guy down there,” said Olszewski, who leads the team in tackles (71) and interceptions (six). “We think our corners can cover the receivers well.
“They’re not going to rush for anything on us, though. They’re not going to pass for anything on us either.... We’re feeling good.”
The Bulldogs were upset by Northern State last weekend in Aberdeen, S.D. The Wolves beat the Bulldogs 23-15, effectively ending their chance at an NCAA playoff berth and also knocking them out of the AFCA Top 25 Poll for the first time since 2007.
Tesch knows UMD is still a dangerous team.
“Obviously, now we’re playing a team that knows how to win big games, close games,” he said. “They have a lot of confidence that they can find ways to win. You’re not going to out-trick them. They’re coached well. You’re not going to get the breaks. You’re going to have to earn it through four quarters of good football. We’ve got a challenge ahead of ourselves.”
