MINOT, N.D. – Senior running back Brandon Hines Jr. led the way for a high-powered Minot State offense on the gridiron over the first month of the season, while freshman golfer Emily Watts led the way in a title sweep for the Beavers at the Marauders Classic.

Both turned in outstanding performances throughout the month of September, earning Hines Jr. the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Minot State Male Athlete of the Month honor for September, and Watts the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Minot State Female Athlete of the Month honor for September.

Pinnacle Employee Benefits became the title sponsor for Minot State's Athlete of the Month award during the 2021-22 academic year. The award recognizes the outstanding athletic achievements each month of one male and one female Beaver student-athlete.

A fifth-year senior and transfer from Harding (Ark.), Hines Jr. has done a bit of everything offensively for the Beavers, but his primary role has been running the ball as he turned in 4 straight games of 100 yards or more on the ground to start his Minot State career, including a career-high 179 yards rushing in a 59-0 homecoming win over Southwest Minnesota State.

During the first 5 games of the season, the New Orleans product rushed for team-highs of 686 yards and 8 touchdowns. He averaged 137.2 rushing yards per game during the first month of the season, second best in the NSIC.

More than just a weapon running the ball, he added 4 pass receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown, he completed a half-back option pass for 32 yards, and he returned 4 kickoffs for 91 yards, averaging 22.8 yards per kick return.

While Hines Jr. made an instant impact leading the way on the gridiron, Watts did the same on the golf course, finishing as the top Minot State women's player in her first three collegiate tournaments.

That includes winning the United Printing Marauders Classic, leading the way for the Beaver women, who also claimed the team title.

Watts shot 9-over 153 (79-74) at the Marauders Classic on September 29 and 30 at the Hawktree Golf Course in Bismarck, North Dakota, becoming the first Minot State women's tournament champion since Anya Ross won the Dickinson State Spring Invite in April of 2022. Ross led the Beaver women to a team title at that event, as well.

The round of 74 was also a collegiate-best score for Watts, who started her collegiate career tying for 4^th at the MSU/CSP Fall Brawl with a 10-over 152 (77-75), and tied for 11^th at The Jewel Invitational with a 12-over 156 (81-75).

Watts and the rest of the Beaver golfers were in action today at the Battle in the North hosted by Minot State at the Beowulf Golf Club, the first home meet hosted by the Beavers in the program's NCAA era.

As for Hines Jr. and the Minot State football team, they hit the road for a battle at in-state rival Jamestown on Saturday at 2 p.m.