MINOT, N.D. - Isaiah Bigby notched two interceptions and Knylen Miller-Levi returned a kick-off 101 yards for a touchdown, but Minot State still fell to Minnesota Duluth 42-7 at home Saturday afternoon in NSIC action on Senior Day.
Prior to the game, Minot State honored seniors Lafayette Bade, Tyler Barnes, Steven Brown, Marshaun Campbell, Philip Green, Ben Hardy, Sean Hoover, Johnathan Leon, Dawson Macleary, Knylen Miller-Levi, Joemah Norman, Aden Scott, Tim Steins, John Subiono, and Aaron Wood who were playing their final game at First Western Bank Field at Herb Parker Stadium, along with former players and student assistant coaches Ian Gilbert and Isaiah Southwick.
The Bulldogs improved to 7-1 on the year and 6-1 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, while the Beavers fell to 1-7 overall and 1-7 in conference matchups.
Myles West led all Beavers rushers with 30 yards in the contest. Isaiah Griffin also added 14 yards on the ground, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
The most prolific target for Minot State quarterbacks was Daniel Stokes, who caught four passes for 35 yards.
In addition to Bigby's two interceptions, the defender had four tackles to lead the Beavers defensively. Connor Raetzman added three tackles, 1.0 tackle for a loss, and one sack.
Defensively, Minot State held up fairly well against the Minnesota Duluth passing attack, holding the Bulldogs to 107 yards through the air. The Beavers defense disrupted the Minnesota Duluth passing attack on the way to recording two interceptions.
How It Happened
After Minnesota Duluth scored on its opening position, the Beavers got a big spark from Miller-Levi, who took the ensuing kick-off 101 yards for a touchdown to knot the score at 7-7.
The 100-yard return (officially) is the fourth in Minot State history, and second against Minnesota Duluth in the past 4 years. Cory Carignan had a 100-yard kick-off return for the Beavers in 2019 against UMD, and Johnny Lester (2010) and Mickey Anderson (1972) also have scored on 100-yard touchdown returns.
Minot State could not build on the momentum of the touchdown return against a tough Minnesota Duluth defense, though, as the Bulldogs forged a 21-7 halftime lead and iced the win in the second half.
Coach's Comments
"Our guys were excited and came ready to play," Minot State head coach
Ian Shields said of Senior Day.
"That Duluth team, you tip your hat to them, that's a big, physical, experienced team, and that physicality wore on us, obviously."
Game Notes
» Minnesota-Duluth outgained Minot State 398-93 in the contest.
» Minot State converted 4 of 16 third downs while Minnesota-Duluth was successful on 5 of 10.
» The Beavers had two players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by Isaak Guzman, who had 12.
» Minot State went 1-for-2 on fourth down, converting on 50 percent of attempts.
» The Beavers took potential points off the board by forcing two turnovers on their own half of the field.
» Kyle Walljasper led the Bulldogs passing attack, completing six of his 12 attempts for 81 yards with one interception.
» Walljasper led the Minnesota Duluth rushing attack with 113 yards and two touchdowns.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
