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MINOT, N.D. – The new era for Minot State football gets underway with spring practice later this month, but before the Beavers hit the field under the guidance of incoming veteran head coach
Ian Shields, they are set to announce their schedule for the fall of 2023.
Shields' first season as the head man for Minot State kicks off with a rare Thursday night game to open the 2023 season as the Beavers will host Southwest Minnesota State on August 31 at 6 p.m. at First Western Bank Field at Herb Park Stadium.
"We're all looking forward to getting out there for our home opener this season in front of Beaver Nation," Shields said. "A Thursday night kickoff versus Southwest Minnesota, an in-conference game; it should be a great atmosphere here in the Magic City as we kick off the season."
The season-opener for both teams is the start of an 11-game debut season for Shields as the Beavers who will play 10 NSIC contests, starting with the Mustangs on Thursday night, and will also play a non-conference game at Michigan Tech on Nov. 4.
The Beavers hit the road for a week two contest at Minnesota State Moorhead as the schedule returns to Saturday gamedays with Minot State playing the Dragons on Sept. 9.
Back home on Sept. 16, the Beavers host South Division co-champion Minnesota State, Mankato at 1 p.m. for Homecoming at First Western Bank Field at Herb Park Stadium.
Minot State is back on the road the next weekend, playing at Sioux Falls on Sept. 23, then the Beavers close out September on their home turf hosting Wayne State on Sept. 30 at 1 p.m.
A trip to Northern State is next for Minot State on Oct. 7 before Concordia, St. Paul heads to North Dakota to play at First Western Bank Field at Herb Park Stadium on Oct. 14 with kick-off slated for 1 p.m.
Minot State then closes out its five-game home schedule at First Western Bank Field at Herb Park Stadium hosting Minnesota Duluth at 1 p.m. on Oct. 21.
On the road the final three weekends of the season, Minot State starts things off with its annual in-state rivalry matchup, playing at the University of Mary on Oct. 28 in the Battle of the Big Lake.
The Beavers then head to Michigan for the program's first non-conference battle since joining the ranks of NCAA Division II play, playing at Michigan Tech on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. (ET). A member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Huskies were 4-7 last season and 2-4 in GLIAC play, a conference that features two-time NCAA D-II National Champion Ferris State (Mich.).
The season then wraps up with a final NSIC game at South Division co-champion Winona State on Nov. 11.
"We're excited about this upcoming season and the opportunities in front of us," Shields said. "The NSIC is a tremendous conference that will challenge us each week and we're working hard in preparation for those battles. We will play hard, we'll play smart, and we'll have some fun doing it together – the scoreboard will take care of itself."
Prior to kicking off the fall 2023 schedule, the Beavers will get one practice game as they host their annual spring game, an intra-squad scrimmage matching defense versus offense, on Saturday, April 22, at 7 a.m. in the Air-Support Dome on the Minot State campus.
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