Football | 10/13/2021 5:59:00 PM

Live Video
Live Stats
Game Notes (pdf)
The Battle Axe Trophy is on the line this week for the Minnesota State University Moorhead football team as the Dragons play at Bemidji State for a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday.

The Axe traveling trophy dates back to 1948 and is the second-oldest trophy in Division II. Bemidji State currently retains the Axe after beating the Dragons, 28-24 in 2019 which was the most recent meeting between the two rivals.

MSUM is 3-3 on the year after beating Minot State, 29-17 last week while Bemidji State (4-2)  rolled to a 42-14 win over Concordia-St. Paul on the road.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com

An MSUM win over Bemidji State would...
—give the Dragons their first back-to-back wins of 2021
--improve MSUM's record to 4-3
--give the Dragons a 2-1 mark in NSIC North play
--give the Dragons their fourth straight win in Bemidji

Series History
MSUM and Bemidji State, who first met in football in 1929, will meet for an 85th time with the Dragons leading the series 47-36-3. The Dragons have won four of the last seven meetings including a 31-26 win in 2018. Bemidji won the most recent meeting 28-24 in 2019. The road team has won the last six meetings.

Last five meetings:
2019: Bemidji State 28, MSUM 24 (in Moorhead)
2018: MSUM 31, Bemidji State 26 (in Bemidji)
2017: Bemidji State 45, MSUM 14 (in Moorhead, Minn.)
2016: MSUM 42, Bemidji State 41 (in Bemidji, Minn.)
2015: Bemidji State 42, MSUM 28 (in Moorhead)

The Head Coaches
Steve Laqua is in his ninth season, and 10th year overall as MSUM's head coach with a record of 46-60 at the school. Brent Bolte is in his fifth season as the BSU head coach with a record of  36-15.

About MSUM
MSUM improved to 3-3 on the year with a 29-17 win over Minot State. The Dragons built a 29-3 halftime lead and went on to the win, which was their eighth straight for the Beavers. MSUM returned an interception and a blocked punt for touchdowns in the win, while sophomore fullback Hayden Boll rushed for two scores.

Falk has completed 138-of-225 passes for 1,757 yards and 13 touchdowns while senior receiver Grady Bresnahan has 45 catches for 592 yards and six scores. Sophomore receiver Ryan Bieberdorf has 31 catches for 508 yards and three scores.

On the ground freshman running back Luke Imdieke has 163 rushing yards.

MSUM scores 24.3 points per game and records 345.3 yards per game of total offense.

Schoh leads the defense with 46 tackles while senior safety Shad Vedaa has 39 and freshman linebacker Josiah Behm has 38. Senior defensive end Derek Porozinski, senior defensive end Darius Woods-Steichen and sophomore defensive back Jake Bettcher each have two sacks each while freshman cornerback Cody Sorenson  leads with three interceptions.

The Dragons allow 27.0 points per game and 398.3 yards per game of total offense.

About Bemidji State
Bemidji State improved to 4-2 on the year with a 42-14 win over Concordia-St. Paul last week.

Quarterback Brandon Alt is having a big year for the Beavers, throwing for 1,973 yards and 19 scores. Brendan Beaulieu has 35 catches for 630 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground Makaio Ham has rushed for 399 yards and a score.

Bemidji State scores 33.5 points per game and records 463.8 yards of total offense.

On defense Gabe Ames and Hameed Oyedele have 36 tackles each. Ames has six tackles for loss. Bemidji State allows 31.7 points per game and 431.8 yards of total offense.

More about the Dragons
Pick Six
Freshman defensive back Cody Sorenson returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown in the first half of the 29-17 win over Minot State. Sorenson leads MSUM with three interceptions. It was MSUM's first pick six since Deiondre Taylor returned an interception for a score against Minot in 2019.

Happy Returns
Freshman defensive back Joey Hughes returned a punt 29 yards for a touchdown in the win over Minot State on Oct. 9. It was MSUM's first blocked punt return for a touchdown since 2016 when Damon Gibson did so against Minnesota Duluth.

All for Schoh
Senior linebacker Matt Schow (pronounced Show) is having a big year for the Dragon defense. He has a team-best 46 tackles and is second in the NSIC at 7.8 tackles per game. Schoh had his first interception of the season in the Sept. 25 win over Upper Iowa.

Grady Grabs Record
Senior Grady Bresnahan became MSUM's all-time leader in receptions dagainst Upper Iowa  Bresnahan is third all-time in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns at MSUM as well. Bresnahan is ninth in receptions per game (7.5) and 18th in receiving yards per game (98.7).

Take Your Pick
MSUM has intercepted 10 passes through six games which is fifth-best in all of Division II. Seven different Dragons have recorded an interception this season.

Week 7 Under Laqua
The Dragons are 2-7 in Week 7 games under Laqua. The Dragons beat Wayne State 28-22 in overtime in 2018 for their last win in Week 7.