2-Deep for Minot State                    2-Deep for Minnesota State Moorhead

HOMECOMING GAME PROGRAM

MINOT, N.D. – Excitement is running high on the Minot State campus as the Beavers host Homecoming this weekend, and the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons.

And after the Minot State football team hit a turning point in its season last weekend on the road, there's plenty of anticipation for Saturday's Homecoming contest at 2 p.m. at Herb Parker Stadium. CLICK TO BUY TICKETS

The Beavers got a record-setting performance from several players on offense and nearly pulled off a comeback road win over Bemidji State, and with six games left on the schedule, Minot State looks poised for a fantastic finish.

It all starts this weekend and Homecoming as the Beavers (0-5 overall, 0-1 NSIC North) welcome back their alumni and will also honor the Minot State Athletic Hall of Fame Classes of 2020 and 2021 at halftime of the big game.

Here is a quick look at this weekend's matchup:
LAST TIME OUT (MSUM): The Dragons (2-3, 0-1 North) came within 2 seconds of upsetting then 22^nd-ranked Minnesota Duluth, forging a 14-6 lead, and clinging to a 21-20 advantage late before the visiting Bulldogs capped a game-winning, 70-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass with 2 seconds left for the 26-21 win.

Defense was key for the Dragons who forced four turnovers to give them a shot at the upset.

Quarterback Tommy Falk led the way offensively throwing for 181 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Hayden Boll led the way on the ground with 45 yards rushing and another score.

Boll's 2-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter gave MSU Moorhead a 14-6 lead, and after Minnesota Duluth forged a 20-14 lead in the fourth quarter, Falk threw his second touchdown pass of the day, a 46-yard strike to Grady Bresnahan with 2:10 left, giving the Dragons a 21-20 advantage.

LAST TIME OUT (MINOT): The Beavers offense came alive with a record-setting day led by quarterback Dawson Macleary and the receiving tandem of Nathan Young and Peyton Lamoureux.

Trailing 22-0 in the opening quarter, Macleary (6-foot-1, R-Fr) led a determined comeback charge as he set a new NCAA Division II single-game school passing yard record with 408 yards and three touchdowns, completing 28-of-40 passes. Macleary's first TD pass of the day - and his collegiate career - was a 1-yard pitch-and-catch with Young (6-2, R-Fr, WR), who set an NCAA D-II single-game school record with 14 receptions in the game, and had 190 receiving yards.

"We're building more and more chemistry," Aldrich said. "Dawson having another week working with his receivers helps. And we also had some guys step up and play well, and that built confidence within the team.

"The passing game was a much-needed complement to our running game," Minot State's coach added, as the Beavers were led on the ground by 5-10, sophomore running back Ali Mohamed with 117 yards on 24 carries.

Macleary also ran for two more scores, himself, the second cut Minot State's deficit to 43-35 with 10:55 left in the contest. Host Bemidji State managed to thwart the comeback though, booting a pair of late field goals to help ice a 49-35 win.

"Our motto has been 'fight' all season and we were able to show that to everyone this past week," Aldrich said, adding, "and we were able to build a lot of confidence throughout the last game, which we have to take into this week of preparation and into the start of the game this Saturday."

Lamoureux (6-0, Jr, WR) added seven catches for 159 yards and two TDs - which tied the NCAA D-II single-game school record - on the day for the Beavers,
who also got nine tackles from Jonathan Leon (6-1, R-Fr, DL) and eight tackles from Caleb Ness (6-3, Jr, DL) to lead the defense.

"As with everything in our program, whether it's on the field or in the classroom, once you set a new standard, you must perform to that standard," Aldrich said. "And then raise the standard and expectations. So, we will continue to build and desire to do more."

SCOUTING MINNESOTA STATE MOORHEAD: The Dragons throw the ball: A lot and successfully as Falk (6-1, Fr, QB) has completed over 62 percent of his passes this season (123-of-196) for 1,607 yards and 13 touchdowns. Impressive numbers as Falk ranks fourth in the NSIC averaging 321.4 yards per game through the air.

Bresnahan (5-9, Sr, WR) is Falk's top target as he's hauled in 41 passes for 554 yards and six TDs, which is also fourth in the league, while Ryan Bieberdorf (5-11, So, WR) is sixth in the NSIC and just as reliable a target for Falk. Bieberdorf has caught 30 passes for 500 yards and four touchdowns.

"We have to be fundamentally sound on defense," Aldrich said of stopping the Dragons offense. "They have had more success passing the ball, but they have also shown the ability to run the football when the situation presents itself. Our defense needs to be solid in their alignments and assignments, and then be able to react appropriately to what the offense is doing.

"And do it all with energy and emotion."

On the ground, look for running back Luke Imdieke (5-9, Fr) to get the majority of the work as he's run the ball 44 times for 128 yards this season.

Defensively, the Dragons do a great job of taking the ball away with eight interceptions, two each by defensive backs Cody Sorenson (6-3, Fr) and Jared Kallenbach (5-11, So), and one fumble recovery by defensive lineman Jordan Magnuson (6-3, Sr). Linebacker Matt Schoh (6-3, Sr) leads the way with 45 tackles on the year for the Dragons, and an interception, while defensive back Jake Bettcher (6-2, So) has 15 tackles and two sacks, and defensive end Derek Porozinski (6-2, Sr) has 12 tackles and two sacks for MSU Moorhead, which has eight quarterback sacks as a team.

COACH ALDRICH'S KEYS TO THE GAME: "First, take another step forward and progress. Second, win the turnover battle; we need to eliminate turnovers and create takeaways. Lastly, start fast and finish strong."

LOOKING AHEAD: The see-saw schedule continues for the Beavers who have yet to spend more than one week at home. They head to South Dakota next weekend to play at Northern State next Saturday night, Oct. 16.

Following the fourth road-trip of the season, Minot State gets a much-awaited two-game homestand starting on Oct 23 when they host Upper Iowa at 11 a.m. at Herb Parker Stadium, then host Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. Oct. 23 will be a special "Tackle Cancer" day, while Oct. 30 will be Minot School System Day and a Halloween celebration, as well. CLICK TO  BUY TICKETS