rBEMIDJI, Minn. – The Axe is returning to Moorhead. The Minnesota State University Moorhead football team recorded a thrilling 42-41 win over rival Bemidji State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday at Chet Anderson Stadium in Bemidji, Minn.

MSUM improved to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in the NSIC North, while the Beavers (7-3, 4-2 NSIC North), who were ranked eighth in the latest regional rankings.

What did Saturday's win mean?
--means MSUM has its first back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1995 and 1996
--MSUM regains the Axe, which is the second-oldest traveling trophy in Division II, for the first time since 2014
--Dragons assured of winning NSIC North Division record
--Gives MSUM a shot for most wins In a season (seven) since 1999 when team went 7-4
--gives MSUM a three-game winning streak

"That is a playoff-caliber team," MSUM head coach Steve Laqua said. "For us to go on the road and win, that is a huge step for us."

Junior quarterback Demetrius Carr was 26-of-42 for 366 yards and four touchdowns and was intercepted twice; he also rushed for a touchdown.

Senior receiver Cory Ambrose had eight catches for 145 yards and a score while junior receiver Damon Gibson caught seven passes for 128 yards and three scores. Junior receiver Hunter Braaten had nine catches for 79 yards.

Sophomore running back Austin Stone rushed for 110 yards and a score. MSUM finished with 366 passing yards and 127 rushing yards for a total of 493.

"Offensively we had a good rhythm especially in the second half when we were able to control the clock," Laqua said. "We were able to run the ball, and we spread the ball really well to the receivers which kept them off-balance."

The Dragon defense had seven sacks, forced four turnovers and finished with nine tackles for loss in the game.  MSUM held Bemidji State to 2-of-13 on third-down conversions.

"We had game-changing plays," Laqua said. "Four turnovers, seven sacks, those changed momentum and changed field position."

Junior linebacker Abe Roehrich had a big day for the Dragon defense with a career-high 15 tackles. He had two sacks. Sophomore defensive back Grant Reuer had 12 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception while senior linebacker Aaron Bohl had 12 tackles and a half-sack.

Sophomore linebacker Joe Rademacher, freshmen cornerback Deiondre Taylor and freshman Malique Delbrune had sacks, while sophomore safety Aaron Doan and Taylor had interceptions.

The game was 21-20 in favor of Bemidji at halftime. The Beaver lead grew to 28-20 in the third quarter and were driving when Taylor picked off Jordan Hein at the goal line on a fourth down. On the ensuing possession, MSUM went 80 yards on 10 plays and scored when Carr hit Gibson from 24 yards out. The two-point conversion was good, and MSUM had tied the game at 28-28 with 1:34 left in the third.

MSUM took the lead in the fourth, as Stone scored from 1-yard out to cap off a seven-play, 63-yard drive. With Joe Tjosvold's extra point, MSUM led 35-28 with 11:46 left.

The Beavers answered with a touchdown on the next drive, but MSUM responded with what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. The Dragons went 65 yards on six plays – keyed by a 51-yard pass from Carr to Ambrose – and scored when Carr found the end zone from 4-yards out. MSUM led 42-35 with 4:34 left.

Bemidji State mounted a rally in the final minutes, and converted a 49-yard pass on a fourth and long. The Beavers scored seconds later to climb within 42-41; however the extra point hit the upright and was no good. Roehrich recovered the onside kick and MSUM had prevailed by one point.

The Dragons scored three times in the first half, all on touchdown passes from Carr. Carr hit Gibson for touchdown passes from two and 11 yards, and also hit Ambrose for a 29-yard score in the first half.

MSUM outscored BSU 22-20 in the second half.

MSUM wraps up the 2016 season at home on Sunday against Northern State. Game time is 1 p.m. at Scheels Field.

"It's another tangible sign of progress for the program," Laqua said. "We're not satisfied with that. Hopefully we regroup and get another win next week because we know that will be big. It will be senior day and a lot of emotion will be tied around the game. We have to make sure we keep focused on the task at hand and play solid clean football. That is something that we always stress."

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: The Dragons defeated the University of Minnesota Crookston and the University of Mary earlier this season and coupled with today's win over Bemidji State, this marks the first time that the Dragons have won all three traveling trophies (State Farm Red River Valley Showdown, Paddle, and Battle Axe) in the same season.