Beavers seeking history, remain top-10 team as they travel to face SMSU
Sep. 7—BEMIDJI — The Bemidji State football team held steady in both weekly polls, remaining at No. 10 in the D2Football.com ranking and No. 11 in the AFCA standings.
Despite the Beavers' strong debut performance, a 49-13 win over Northern State
last Thursday,
their status-quo result isn't altogether unsurprising. This early in the season, few top teams have faced their best opponents, and even fewer have lost a game. Only Colorado Mines and Grand Valley State changed spots in the D2Football.com poll, swapping No. 2 and No. 4 after Mines' 31-28 win over GVSU in Golden, Colo.
In the AFCA poll, GVSU was also the only top-10 team that lost and dropped, this time from No. 3 to No. 7.
BSU takes on Southwest Minnesota State at 5 p.m. on Saturday in Marshall. Last season, Bemidji State went on the road and dealt the Mustangs a 34-15 defeat. The Beavers would likely be considered even bigger favorites over SMSU this time around.
SMSU opened its season with a 28-23 home win over Minot State last Thursday. The Mustangs were picked to finish ninth in the NSIC in the conference's preseason poll, while Minot State was tabbed 12th, in a tie for last place with U-Mary.
The Beavers have won four consecutive games against SMSU, plus eight of their last nine in Marshall. Head coach Brent Bolte is one win away from setting a new program record for second-most wins all time. He tied the current second-place holder, H.J. Erickson, after BSU's victory over the Wolves, the 53rd of Bolte's career.
Bemidji State showcased a balanced offensive attack in its romp over NSU. The Beavers passed for 213 yards and ran for 212, and there were big plays to be found both through the air and on the ground. BSU also stonewalled Northern State's rushing attack, conceding just 68 yards.
