Brady Bartz invigorates Beavers from the sideline as they roll over CSP

Oct. 21—BEMIDJI — Even when Bemidji State fullback Brady Bartz isn't playing, he's always in the middle of the action.

The Beavers' sixth-year backfield player and special teamer was held out of BSU's Saturday tilt with Concordia-St. Paul due to a calf strain. But as he always does, he made his presence felt in other ways.

He migrated off the sideline and onto the field after

Marcus Hansen

blocked an early punt to set Bemidji State up deep in CSP territory. He was the first player to congratulate the Beavers' offensive players when they paid the field position off with Ali Mohamed's 4-yard touchdown run.

And as BSU's 38-3 rout of the Golden Bears rolled on, it became clear that whether Bartz is playing or not, he's going to find a way to impact what goes on on the field.

"I wasn't able to push off (with my calf) this week, really," Bartz said. "So (my role is) being a leader on this team. Helping them find a way to win on the sidelines, on the field."

Singled out as an essential cog in the leadership group by Bemidji State head coach Brent Bolte, it's apparent how appreciated and connected Bartz is on the sideline. He talks to everyone — coaches, players, redshirts, equipment staffers. He makes the extra effort because he recalls his past as a young player attempting to grind his way onto the field.

"I've gone through the bottom up," Bartz said. "So (it's rewarding) seeing my brothers out there do what they do best. The excitement and the fun for guys, especially in a game like this — guys that don't get a lot of playing time, don't get on the field a lot — seeing guys go out and score and do their thing is really great to see. Because I see all their hard work in practice and the offseason. So (I'm) enjoying it from the sideline for their future as well."

Bartz is longtime friends with his position coach, student assistant and fellow Wisconsin native Bryce Duffy. Duffy has weathered

his own share

of injury adversity, and he's seen firsthand what Bartz brings to the Beavers, whether he's competing between the lines or roaming BSU's sideline.

"Even though he was on the sideline not playing, he's doing everything he can to still be engaged with the team," Duffy said. "He's still doing everything he can to ultimately help us get a win. So that's what really matters. And for me personally, that's what I look for in a leader. He embodies that perfectly, no matter if he's playing or if he's off on the sideline."

For special teams coach Jordan Hein, Bartz's gift is the ability to make his teammates feel welcomed. Many of Bemidji State's younger players are away from home for the first time, and having a senior leader like Bartz accept and embrace them makes an immense impact.

"Those older guys that have been in the program and understand the culture that BSU football's about, they understand it's a brotherhood and a family," Hein said. "They're cheering on their brothers, whether they're out there playing or not. ... Having that leadership, especially for the young guys, it's their first time away from home. This is their family now, so it's cool to see (that level of support)."

There were plenty of other promising developments for the Beavers to feel good about heading into a crucial matchup with Minnesota Duluth. BSU blocked three consecutive first-quarter punts, as Jacob Drietz and Stephen Hoffman also got their hands on the football.

Bemidji High School's own Colton Hinrichs intercepted a CSP pass in the second quarter and added two solo tackles. Cole Sorby and Max Buduris also pulled down picks for Bemidji State, with Buduris returning his 10 yards for a touchdown.

As the Beavers look ahead to next Saturday, Bartz hopes to be back on the field against UMD, but regardless, he'll be out on the sideline to play his part once again.

"(The goal is) taking a step forward every week," Bartz said. "We still haven't played our best football. You can see that we left points on the board today. So next week in practice, (the key is) focusing on what we can clean up this week and putting our best football on tape next week. That's what the goal is every week, to keep getting better and keep putting up a better game. So next week is hopefully going to be a better game for us."

Bemidji State 38, Concordia-St. Paul 3

CSP 0 0 3 0 — 3

BSU 19 12 7 0 — 38

First quarter — BSU TD, Mohamed 4-yard run (Arends PAT no good), 6-0 BSU; BSU TD, Hill 20-yard catch from Alt (Arends PAT no good), 12-0 BSU; BSU TD, Baron 6-yard catch from Alt (Arends PAT), 19-0 BSU.

Second quarter — BSU TD, Mohamed 9-yard run (Arends PAT no good), 25-0 BSU; BSU TD, Buduris 10-yard interception return (2-pt. conversion no good), 31-0 BSU.

Third quarter — BSU TD, Washington 2-yard run (Arends PAT), 38-0 BSU; CSP FG, Eue 42-yard kick, 38-3 BSU.

Fourth quarter — No scoring.