Minot State football will open its 2026 campaign Thursday when it hosts Emporia State at 6 p.m. at First Western Bank Field at Herb Parker Stadium.
Coming off a 3-8 season in 2025, the Beavers enter the new season with a revamped roster featuring a combination of transfers, freshmen, and returning veterans. With a new season comes new opportunities, and Minot State will look to its experienced leaders to help guide the team both on and off the field.Â
"We have a great group of leaders here in place right now," head coach
Ian Shields said when asked about the influence of the team's senior athletes.
The Beavers will begin the season against a familiar opponent. Thursday's match up will mark just the second meeting between Minot State and Emporia State and the first time the Emporia State Hornets have traveled to Herb Parker Stadium.
The two teams met for the first time last season, with Emporia State earning a 27-7 victory. The hornets finished the 2025 season with a 5-6 record and placed seventh in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
Despite the challenge presented by Emporia State, Shields emphasized that the Beavers' preparation has remained focused on themselves and the standards they want to establish entering the season.
"They are a really good team and a really good program", Shields said. "Take all that aside, our focus is pretty internal. Play with great effort, play with physicality, play with discipline, and have fun doing it together."
For Minot State, Thursday's game represents the culmination of months of preparation. The Beavers will look to translate their offseason work into a strong start while continuing to build chemistry among a roster that includes both returning players and newcomers.
The season opener will also provide the Beavers with their first opportunity to see how their revamped roster responds to live competition. With a mixture of experienced veterans and new additions, Minot State will look to establish its identity from the opening kickoff.
After a long offseason, the Beavers are ready to return to the field and begin writing a new chapter of Minot State football. When asked which players fans should watch for on the field, Shields pointed to the team as a whole.
"I mean it could be any Beaver," Shields said. "I think you'll see a group that plays hard."
As the season opener approaches, Shields said the Beavers are eager to see how their preparation translates to game day.
"It's time to go put on a different color jersey and find out some more about ourselves playing a really quality opponent," Shields said.
Kickoff between Minot State and Emporia State is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Herb Parker Stadium.
Beavers to watch:
OFFENSE:
DEFENSE
