MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead football would drop its final home game of 2024 as the Dragons lost to Bemidji State, 25-14. The contest was the 75th installment of the Battle For The Axe series.
It was the Dragon defense who came to play in the early stages of the game after MSUM won the toss and elected to defer. Bemidji State would drive 31 yards on four plays before being faced with a third down play. Beaver quarterback Sam McGath launched a pass that overshot his receiver and landed in the hands of senior linebacker
Jack Bungarden. The Woodbury, Minn., native was not done there as he scampered 63 yards to provide the game's first touchdown. It is the second touchdown of Bungarden's career.
From there, MSUM's defense would continue to hold firm, forcing Beaver punts on their next three drives. While the Dragons would drive 43 yards on 11 plays in their first offensive series, they would be unable to connect on a field goal attempt. Before the end of the quarter, MSUM's offense put together a dynamite drive, traveling 78 yards on 13 plays.
Jack Strand would link up with his favorite targets on the drive, but the campaign was polished off by running back
Fynn Ridgeway. The redshirt freshman evaded a Beaver tackler and rumbled into the endzone from eight yards away. After one quarter, MSUM led, 14-0.
The Dragon defense continued to stall the Bemidji State offense, but credit to the Beaver special teams unit, who forced the Dragons into tough field position. In the shadow of their own goal line, MSUM would suffer a safety after Strand was called for intentional grounding in the endzone. The teams would buckle in defensively from there, with neither defense allowing any points. Bemidji State opted to attempt a hail mary with one second to play in the first half. While the ball was initially batted, it fell right into the arms of a Beaver receiver. The momentum-shifting score sent the Dragons into the locker room with a 14-9 lead.
After forcing a Dragon punt to begin the second half, Bemidji State would score again to take a 15-14 lead, with a two-point try going awry. The Dragons would have a shot to regain the lead on their next drive after traveling 52 yards on 11 plays. However, MSUM would miss a field goal and the scoreboard would stay with Bemidji State.
At the top of the fourth quarter, Bemidji State would score another touchdown to stretch their lead to eight points, 22-14. The Beaver defense would go on to attack Strand at the line of scrimmage, not giving MSUM any life offensively. Bemidji State would connect on a field goal late in the final period to lead, 25-14. Strand would be intercepted on the ensuing Dragon possession, clinching the rivalry win for the Beavers.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Prior to today, the last time a team scored exactly 25 points against the Dragons was on October 16, 1999. Oddly enough, Bemidji State scored 25 points in a 32-25 MSUM victory.
Up Next
MSUM (5-5, 5-4 NSIC) will conclude the 2024 season next Saturday in the annual Battle For The Paddle against the University of Mary. Kickoff from Bismarck is scheduled for noon.
