MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The MSU Moorhead Dragons will take on the Beavers of Bemidji State in a fight for the Battle Axe this weekend. The contest will kick off at 1 p.m. from Chet Anderson Stadium in Bemidji, Minn.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com
 
The Rundown

The Dragons (6-3, 5-3 NSIC), look to extend their three game winning streak to four this week against rival Bemidji State. The Dragons had a strong showing last week against Winona State, grinding out a tough 20-17 victory. 20 points was the least amount of points the Dragons have scored in a game this year, but the Dragon defense stepped up to the challenge and shut down the Warriors. 

Dragons on Defense

The defense held the Warriors to only three points in the first half and shut them out in the pivotal moments of the game in the fourth quarter. The Defense was swarming all game, with six tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups and an interception. Junior linebacker Josiah Behm was the leading tackler for the Dragons with 13 takedowns. Sophomore defensive back McKale Pierson was all over the field for the defense, making nine tackles, one of which for loss, and adding a pass breakup as well. Sophomore defensive back Tate Gustafson snagged a pick and made four tackles in the contest. Senior defensive lineman Hayden Carr once again made his presence felt by getting to the quarterback once for a sack, making four tackles and batting down one pass. Junior defensive lineman Denver Sheets had a nice game as well, tallying a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. On the season the Dragons hold their opponents to 24.11 points, and 366 yards per game.

The Dragon defense only allows 4.9 yards per play, that mark ranks third in the NSIC.

Team Leaders on Defense

Tackles: Josiah Behm – 76
Tackles for Loss: Jack Bungarden - 9
Sacks: Hayden Carr – 3
Pass Breakups: McKale Pierson – 8
Interceptions: Jake Bettcher – 3

Dragons on Offense

The Dragons offense have been one of the highest octane offenses in the country this season. Last week the offense scored 20 points on a very chilly day at home against a very stout Warriors defense. Sophomore quarterback Jack Strand completed 26 passes on 38 attempts for a total of 302 yards and two touchdown passes. Both touchdowns were caught by sophomore wide receiver Brady Perryman, one of which in the first quarter on a nine-yard pass, and the next one in the second quarter on a 44-yard strike. Perryman hauled in six catches for 93 yards and the two scores. Senior wideout Ryan Bieberdorf grabbed three receptions for 82 yards, which works out to 27.3 yards per catch. Senior running back Tyson Powell punched one in for a touchdown in the third quarter. He ran for a total of 28 yards on eight attempts on the day. Freshman running back Flynn Ridgeway had six receptions for 40 yards and 19 rushing yards during the contest.

The Dragons offense currently ranks number three in the NSIC overall, gaining 425 yards per game. They hold the number one spot in the conference in touchdowns scored, reaching the promised land 42 times so far this season. The Dragon's passing attack is the best in the conference by far and one of the best in the nation. The Dragons throw for an average of 373.9 yards per game and have thrown for 33 touchdowns through the first nine games this year.

Team Leaders on Offense

Passing: Jack Strand – 3314 yards, 32 touchdowns, 67.2 completion percentage
Receptions: Gage Florence – 91 receptions
Reception Yards: Gage Florence – 886 yards
Touchdown Receptions: Brady Perryman – 8 touchdowns
Yards Per Catch: Carter Birrenkott – 18.5 yards per catch
Rushing Yards: Tyson Powell – 176 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: Tyson Powell – 6 touchdowns

Coaching Battle

Patrolling the sidelines for the Dragons is 13^th-year man Steve Laqua, and on the opposing sideline for the Beavers will be seventh-year head coach Brent Bolte.
 
Scouting Bemidji State

The 13th-ranked Beavers (7-1, 7-1 NSIC), are one of the best DII teams in the country. They are on a three-game winning streak just like the Dragons, and they are coming off of an impressive 38-31 victory over the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. The Beavers jumped on the Bulldogs early, scoring 28 points in the first half that resulted in a 28-10 halftime lead. 

Beavers on Offense

Senior quarterback Brandon Alt had a nice day, completing 19-of-26 attempts for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The leading receiver on the afternoon was senior wide receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby, who snagged six catches for 76 yards. Junior wide receivers Jake Hill and Brice Peters each hauled in a touchdown pass. The Beaver rushing attack did a lot of damage against the second-best rushing defense in the conference. They ran for 241 yards removing sack yardage, and senior running back Sage Booker ran all over the field for 120 yards and two touchdowns on the day. Including a 74-yard-long scamper for six in the third quarter. Bemidji State has the second most potent offense in the NSIC, gaining 425.3 yards per game. Their passing attack is only behind the Dragons, as they rank second in the conference, passing for 258.8 yards per game and 8.1 yard average. Meanwhile their rushing attack is solid as well, being the sixth-best in the conference, going for 166.5 yards per game. 

Offensive Statistical Leaders

Passing: Brandon Alt – 1933 yards, 140 completions, 19 touchdown passes
Receptions: Dhel Duncan-Busby – 34 receptions
Receiving Yards: Dhel Duncan-Busby - 519 yards
Touchdown Receptions: Dhel Duncan Busby – 9 touchdowns
Yards Per Catch: Jayden Washington – 20.14 yards per catch
Rushing Yards: Ali Mohamed – 453 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: Ali Mohamed – 7 touchdowns

Beavers on Defense

Defensively last week the Beavers allowed 31 points, but they have been one of the best in the NSIC so far this season, ranking fourth in the NSIC in yards allowed per game. Last week against the Bulldogs, they made three tackles for loss, tallied a sack, forced fumble and two pass breakups. Senior linebacker Cole Sorby led the team in tackles last week with six takedowns. Senior defensive back Colton Herman had a fantastic game, totaling six tackles, one tackle for loss and also breaking up a pass. Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Marcus Hansen was a wrecking ball on that Beaver defensive line. He had a sack, forced fumble and a tackle for loss to go along with three tackles.

On the season, their defense has held their opponents to an average of 16.4 points per game. Opponents average five yards per play, and have only scored 15 total touchdowns on the year. 

Defensive Statistical Leaders

Tackles: Max Buduris – 42 tackles
Tackles for Loss: Marcus Hansen – 14 tackles for loss
Sacks: Marcus Hansen – 6.5 sacks
Pass Breakups: Max Buduris – 6 pass breakups
Interceptions: Princeton Harris and Jamel Stone – 2 interceptions
 
More About the Matchup

Protect the Pigskin

Winning the turnover battle will be very key, because giving this high-powered Beaver offense extra possessions will not end well for the Dragons. Bemidji State is one of the best teams in the conference at forcing turnovers, making 13 interceptions and forcing nine fumbles from their opponents this season. The Dragons will need to take care of the football if they want to upset the mighty Beavers.

Battle in the Trenches

The Beavers are very formidable up front on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line is tied for allowing the least amount of sacks in the NSIC, keeping their quarterback comfortable, only allowing six sacks this season. On the defensive side they have the third-most sacks in the conference, tallying 24 on the season. The Dragons will look to step up and keep Strand clean against this tough Beaver defensive line, and if they do so, look for this Dragon offense to be very potent on Saturday.

Series History
Last five matchups:
2022 – 46-7 L (In Moorhead)
2021 – 22-19 L (In Bemidji)
2019 – 28-24 L (In Moorhead)
2018 – 31-26 W (In Bemidji)
2017 – 45-14 L (In Moorhead)