BID ON YOUR PRAIRIE WARRIORS BOWL JERSEY!
MINOT, ND -- Minot State returns home to Herb Parker Stadium this weekend seeking to channel the grit shown in last week's overtime thriller into a bounce-back performance against a familiar regional rival. The Beavers (1-5 overall, 1-4 NSIC) will square off against the University of Jamestown Jimmies (1-4, 1-4) on Saturday, October 11, at 2:00 pm in the annual Prairie Warrior Bowl / Military Appreciation Day game.
Saturday's match up renews an old rivalry as the two programs meet for the first time since 2010, when Minot State prevailed 19-14. The Beavers hold a 5-4 all-time series lead over the Jimmies and will look to add to that margin while honoring service members in what is expected to be an emotional and energetic home atmosphere.
Last weekend, the Beavers nearly pulled off a road upset, falling 40-37 in overtime at MSU Moorhead despite a determined effort. The Beavers showcased a punishing rushing attack, piling up a season-best 341 yards on the ground:
Devan Daniels powered the offense with 140 yards and a touchdown.
Evan Lovett added 125 yards and a touchdown, consistently moving the chains.
QB
Carson Chrisman contributed 34 rushing yards and led several scoring drives, including a late touchdown pass to
Jonathan Noriega.
On special teams,
Brandon McCary etched his name in the record book by hitting five field goals, including a clutch kick in overtime, tying the NSIC single-game record and breaking the Minot State program record.
The defense continued its opportunistic trend, forcing three turnovers for the third straight week.
Nalu Cordeiro grabbed another interception, while
Reid Jamerson recorded two sacks, and
Jace McDonald added a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.
Head Coach
Ian Shields praised his team's fight and emphasized the growth he has seen across all three phases of the game:
"The heartbreaker in Moorhead probably describes it best — it was a tough loss, but I'm proud of the resiliency, toughness, and competitiveness our guys showed. We were one play short against a very good team. We've been playing hard and making progress. We're plus-8 in turnover margin over the last three games, and we've rushed for over 300 yards in four of six games this season. Our four freshman offensive linemen continue to mature, and we're doing a lot of good things that don't always show up in the record. We just need to put a complete game together — offense, defense, and special teams — and execute at a high level. If we keep playing with effort and taking care of the football, we can compete with anyone on our schedule."
Keys to the Prairie Warrior Bowl:
Win the Turnover Battle: Minot State has forced at least three takeaways in each of the last three games while limiting giveaways.
Continue the Rushing Success: Daniels and Lovett, aided by Chrisman's mobility and a maturing offensive line, have helped the Beavers top 300 yards rushing in four games this season.
Execute in All Three Phases: Shields pointed to improved special-teams execution as a must after last week's lone turnover came on a kickoff return.
Feed off the Home Crowd: Saturday marks just the third home game of the season for Minot State, and the Military Appreciation Day atmosphere is expected to provide an emotional boost.
The match up with Jamestown renews a regional rivalry that stretches back decades but has been dormant since Minot State's 2010 victory. With the backdrop of the Prairie Warrior Bowl and a chance to honor the region's military community, the Beavers aim to showcase their progress and deliver a full-team performance at home.
Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11 at Herb Parker Stadium in Minot.
BID ON YOUR PRAIRIE WARRIORS BOWL JERSEY!
