MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead football team built a 28-7 halftime lead but Bemidji State rallied in the second half to earn a 42-28 win over the Dragons in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday at Scheels Field at Nemzek Stadium.

MSUM fell to 3-4 overall and 0-3 in the NSIC North with the loss, while Bemidji State improved to 4-3 overall and 3-0 in the north. The game was MSUM's homecoming contest.

"We have to work on our consistency," MSUM head coach Steve Laqua said. "Give Bemidji State credit for the plays they made. We had too many turnovers and two many penalties in the second half. We need to work on handling the ups and downs of the momentum changes."

Sophomore quarterback Demetrius Carr recorded the second 400-yard passing game of his career, completing 23-of-32 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown. Sophomore receiver Damon Gibson caught four passes for 166 yards and a score, while sophomore receiver Hunter Braaten had a career-high nine catches for a career-high 115 yards and a touchdown. Freshman receiver Evan Moore had four catches for 70 yards while junior receiver Cory Ambrose had four catches for 41 yards and a score.

Freshman Herman Gray led the ground game with 15 carries for 76 yards. MSUM outgained the Beavers 532-507 for the game.
Senior linebacker Chris Lee led the defense with 12 tackles, while junior safety Jesse Beilke had nine. Redshirt freshman linebacker Joe Rademacher had two tackles for loss while senior defensive back Brandon Nelson had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

The Dragons struck first, thanks to a big play in the passing game. Carr hit Gibson in stride for an 82-yard touchdown with 8:39 left in the first quarter. The play is tied for the sixth-longest pass play in school history.

After the Beavers tied the game on a 42-yard touchdown pass, MSUM responded again, with Carr and Gibson teaming up for a big play to set up the score. Carr hit Gibson for a 50-yard gain that brought MSUM inside the Bemidji 10-yard line. Moments later, Carr scored on a four-yard touchdown run to put MSUM up 14-7 late in the first.

Bemidji State was driving in the second quarter, but Nelson stripped the ball from Bemidji State's Juwaan Richard and recovered the fumble at the Dragon 14-yard line. MSUM turned the drive into points, going on an impressive 12-play, 86-yard march, capped off by a 14-yard scoring strike from Carr to Braaten. With the extra point by redshirt freshman Joe Tjosvold, MSUM led 21-7 with 6:40 left in the half.

The Dragons added to the lead later in the second when Carr hit Ambrose for a 20-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, leaving MSUM up 28-7, which was the halftime score.

MSUM forced a three-and-out to open the second half, and drove into Beaver territory on the next possession. However, a fumble ended that drive, and moments later, Bemidji State scored to cut the lead to 28-14.

The Beavers tied the game at 28-28 late in the third quarter. The Dragons marched into Bemidji territory on their initial possession of the fourth quarter, but turned the ball over on downs at the Bemidji State 31-yard line. Bemidji State scored moments later to take a 35-28 lead.

The Dragons drove inside the Bemidji 15-yard line – thanks to a 42-yard pass from Carr to Braaten – but an interception at the goal line ended the threat. Moments later, Bemidji State scored on a 45-yard touchdown run by Tahi Nomane, giving the Beavers a 42-28 lead.

MSUM mounted a desperation drive in the final minute and got to the BSU 22-yard line before a sack on the final play ended the game.

The Dragons hit the road next week to play at Minot State. Game time is 3 p.m. in Minot, N.D.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Including today, the Dragons have scored the first touchdown in every game this season.