MINOT, ND -- After four weeks of battling on the gridiron, Minot State football returns home to Herb Parker Stadium this Saturday for the "Battle of the Beavers". The Beavers host Bemidji State in a 1:00 pm kickoff on September 27, a matchup that also highlights Energy Day and Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day. Fans can arrive early for a 10:00 am tailgate featuring free food and free t-shirts, adding to what promises to be a lively game day atmosphere in Minot.

Both Minot State (0-4, 0-3 NSIC) and Bemidji State (0-4, 0-3 NSIC) enter Saturday's contest hungry for their first win of 2025. Last season, Bemidji State recorded a 21-9 victory over the Beavers, but Minot State is eager to flip the script in front of its home crowd.

The Beavers are coming off a 35-25 road loss at Winona State in which they showed flashes of progress. Quarterback Carson Chrisman threw two touchdown passes without an interception, Evan Lovett added 54 rushing yards and a score, and wideout Gage Cavanaugh hauled in a 49-yard touchdown strike. Defensively, Minot State forced three turnovers, including two interceptions from safety Cody Raetzman, and racked up four sacks.

Head coach Ian Shields acknowledged the mixed results but pointed to positives his team can build on. "One of our keys to victory is always winning the turnover battle, and last week we did just that," Shields said. "We got three takeaways on defense, didn't turn it over on offense, and that kept us in the game. We didn't fully take advantage of some short fields, but our defense was opportunistic, and there were bright spots."

Execution in critical moments remains the focus as the Beavers prepare for Bemidji State. "What we struggled with was third and fourth down — both sides of the ball," Shields said. "We've got to execute better in those spots, be more physical, and make plays when it matters most. We just haven't put a whole game together — offense, defense, and special teams clicking at once — and that's what it takes to win."

Special teams, in particular, remain a point of emphasis. Minot State gave up several long returns at Winona State, making field position an uphill battle. Shields stated that "it was unquestionably our worst day in the kicking game, and there's no way to sugar coat it. We gave up huge chunks of yardage and didn't give ourselves much of a chance. But there were positives too, like hitting a 44-yard field goal. We've got to build on the good and fix the rest."

Bemidji State has historically been a tough opponent, but Shields stressed that Minot State's greatest challenge is internal. "I've been encouraged by our guys' leadership and attitude — they're resilient, they're playing hard, and they still believe," he said. "We've got to block better, tackle better, and be in the right place at the right time. It's simple football, but we need to do it consistently together. If we do that, we'll give ourselves a chance."

After three road games in the first month, Shields and the Beavers are energized to play in front of the Minot community. "We need all the positive energy we can get," Shields said. "It's hard to win on the road in this conference, so we're excited to be back home. Our guys know we're capable of playing better football than we did last week, and now it's about preparing well and executing when the lights are on."

Saturday represents more than a chance at the first win of 2025. It's an opportunity to rally behind the home crowd, to honor the faculty and staff who support the program, and to show the resilience that's been growing inside the locker room. For Minot State, the focus is on playing a complete game, feeding off the Energy Day atmosphere, and building momentum as the season moves forward.