MINOT, ND -- Fresh off a bye week and carrying momentum from a big win over Jamestown, the Minot State Beavers return to Herb Parker Stadium this Saturday to take on the University of Sioux Falls. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm on October 25 in Minot, with tailgating set to begin at 11:00 am as part of First Responders and Youth Sports Day. Minot State enters the matchup at 2-5 overall and 2-4 in NSIC play, while Sioux Falls comes in at 4-3 and 3-3 in the conference. The Beavers defeated the Cougars last season in a 26-24 thriller and look to defend their home field once again.
 
Head coach Ian Shields said the bye came at the perfect time for his team. "It was a great time for a bye week — much needed," he said. "About halfway through the season you get a chance to take your foot off the gas, regroup a bit, get guys healthy. Going into the bye with a win was big for us." That victory, a 35-28 win over Jamestown, came in dramatic fashion as Minot State engineered a 72-yard scoring drive late in the fourth quarter that ended with a touchdown run by Evan Lovett. Shields said that result gave his team a spark going into the break. "It was a tough, physical game, and we did just enough to win," he added. "It put a little wind in our sails heading into the bye week."
 
Shields emphasized that despite the team's record, progress is being made in several areas. He said it may sound like "boring coach-speak," but success still comes down to the process and doing the little things right every day — showing up to weights on time, going to class, preparing consistently, and building habits that translate to wins on Saturdays. He noted improvement in all three phases, including special teams. He also praised the growth of his young offensive front. Minot State has started four freshmen on the offensive line and has rushed for over 300 yards in five of its last seven games, including a 371-yard performance against Jamestown. Shields said the identity of the team remains grounded in running the football, and he believes the offense has taken major steps forward. "We're rushing for close to 300 yards a game now, and that's who we are and what we hang our hat on," he said.
 
Defensively, Minot State has been very opportunistic. Shields said the team has improved its physicality and ball awareness, especially in the secondary and at the line of scrimmage. He gave credit to the defense for helping set the tone in recent weeks and to the program's overall resiliency in close contests.
 
Looking ahead to this week's opponent, Shields said Sioux Falls presents a significant challenge on both sides of the ball. "They're really well-coached and physical," he said. "They're sound on defense, they're going to be in the right place, and they don't beat themselves. Offensively, they've been explosive — I think they put up over 600 yards in their last game, and they've got weapons in the backfield and out wide. It's a challenge every time you play them." Shields added that Sioux Falls finished 8-3 last year and remains one of the most disciplined teams in the NSIC. Still, he said the focus remains internal. "Like any week in this league, we've got to focus on ourselves — what we can control, how well we prepare, and whether we can play our best football on Saturday."
 
As for what it will take to win, Shields said it comes down to effort, execution, and protecting the football. "We don't have to be somebody else. We don't need an out-of-body experience," he said. "We just need to play our game — play with tremendous effort, run the ball, take care of the football, and execute in all three phases. They're going to say the same thing. Then we get out there Saturday afternoon and see how it falls into place."
 
With First Responders and Youth Sports Day bringing added energy to Herb Parker Stadium, Shields said his team is eager to be back in front of its home crowd. "Our guys will be excited," he said. "There's a lot to play for and being home again means a lot. The bye week came at the right time, we're healthier, and we're ready for the challenge."