Football | 10/29/2018 1:42:00 PM

MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota State University Moorhead football team will face rival Bemidji State this Saturday in a rivalry that dates back to 1929. However, since 1948, there has been more incentive to win the football game between the two schools.

Simply, it's the Axe.

The Axe is the second-longest traveling trophy in Division II and the winner of the football game each year retains the Axe. Currently, Bemidji State is in possession of the Axe as a result of winning the most recent meeting in 2017.

The Axe is a weapon that originated in the native village of Mount Hagon, New Guinea. It is a hand made item that was published underwater. The Axe was in the possession of BSU homecoming Ron Smith, and it was decided it would be the perfect trophy to the winner of the the annual football game.

The first Battle for the Axe came in 1948 in a game that went down to the wire. The Dragons won 13-6. Interestingly, Bemidji had the upper hand in the first 14 meetings, taking a 10-3-1 series lead. The tide turned in 1962 as MSUM began a stretch where it won 19 of the next 21 meetings.  From there have been stretches where both teams have put together win streaks. However in the last six meetings, each team has three wins. Overall MSUM has a 37-30-3 series lead in Axe games, including a 20-12-1 advantage in Moorhead.

One of the most thrilling games in recent memory, MSUM won 42-41 in Bemidji in 2016. MSUM led 42-35 with 4:34 left after Demetrius Carr scored on a 4-yard run. Bemidji State faced a 4th-and-37 in the final minutes but a hook-and-ladder play turned into a 49-yard gain, and moments later, the Beavers scored to make it 42-41 with 39 seconds left. However, the extra point was no good, and MSUM recovered an onside kick to secure the one-point win.

Needless to say, the intensity level for Saturday's Axe game will be high as both teams enter the game at 6-3.

"In a rivalry as storied as this one it's obviously an important game for both teams," MSUM head coach Steve Laqua said. "It's an honor that our university has been involved with a tradition as historic and long running as the Axe trophy."

Paddle Trophy
A more recent traveling trophy was developed between MSUM and the University of Mary called the Paddle. The battle for the Paddle began in 2006 after student governments from both schools originated the idea, based on the fact that both schools are located on a river — MSUM on the Red River and Mary on the Missouri River.

Mary controlled the Paddle games early, winning the first seven meetings. MSUM gained possession of the Paddle for the first time in 2013 with a thrilling 48-41 home win over the Marauders. Including that win, MSUM has won five of the last six meetings, including a 48-20 win over the Marauders in 2018 in Bismarck.

State Farm Traveling Trophy
The newest traveling trophy MSUM has played for is the State Farm Traveling Trophy, which goes to the winner of the MSUM games vs. Minnesota Crookston. MSUM has won the trophy five straight years, including a 34-10 win to open the 2018 season in Moorhead.