MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead football is set to host the annual Battle for the Axe game with Bemidji State on Saturday, November 1. The longstanding rivalry is set to kickoff at noon. 

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Fans can also listen to the game live on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with 'Big Game' James McCarty and Jace Denman on the call. 

Matchup History...The meeting between MSUM and Bemidji State on Saturday will be the 76th installment in the Battle for the Axe rivalry. Moorhead holds a 47-40-3 record in the all-time series, but the Beavers have claimed the last five meetings between the two schools. Bemidji State combated a hot MSUM start last season, eventually claiming the game, 25-14. The teams first met during the 1929 season with Sliv Nemzek's Dragons claiming the inaugural matchup, 6-0. The Axe Trophy was implemented ahead of the 1948 season with the idea stemming from the Bemidji Homecoming committee. MSUM won the first-ever Axe game in 1948, 13-6 and hold a 38-34-3 record in Battle Axe games. MSUM has not won an Axe game since November 3, 2018.

Why The Axe?...The Bemidji Homecoming committee noted that something symbolic was needed to bolster the Beaver-Dragon rivalry. Then-chairman Ron Smith was in possession of an axe he acquired in Mount Hagon, New Guinea, with the axe eventually becoming the game's trophy. The axe is hand made and was polished underwater. The axe's gray stone signifies its ceremonial nature, which is customary to New Guinea culture. 

Gage Watch...Senior wide receiver Gage Florence added nine more receptions to his career total on Saturday against Northern State. Heading into this week's contest with the Beavers, Florence sits at 370 career receptions. The mark is just 16 shy of the all-time NCAA Division II record held by St. Anselm's Justin Bernard. Florence has enjoyed a healthy host of catches in his career against the Beavers. In three career games against the Beavers, Florence has made a whopping 31 receptions, including 13 in last year's 'Battle Axe' installment. 

Total Eclipse Of The Strand...Senior quarterback Jack Strand surpassed 12,000 career passing yards last Saturday against Northern State, becoming the 21st player in Division II history to hit the milestone. Strand also became just the fourth player in NSIC history to accrue 11,000 or more passing yards in league games. The Northern Sun record sits at 12,007 by Winona State's Jack Nelson. 

Mr. Pierson Makes A House Call...Senior McKale Pierson showcased his special teams value on Saturday against Northern State. The Glyndon, Minn., native returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, the first kick return touchdown for the Dragons since Carter Blackwell on October 23, 2021. Pierson's scamper is the third-longest kickoff return in program history. 

Enter The O-Zone...Junior running back Owen Wiersma took on a larger role in the Dragon offense last Saturday,  both on the ground and through the air. Wiersma took seven carries for 55 yards and a touchdown. The Casselton, N.D., native also caught three passes for 42 yards in the game. 

Welcome E2...Junior defensive back Evan Miles has proven to be a lockdown cover corner for Moorhead. In the contest against Northern State, Miles made five solo tackles along with a pair of pass breakups. Miles has four pass breakups on the season for the Dragons to go along with 12 total tackles. 

Steve Laqua is in his 15th season as MSUM's head football coach. 

Scouting The Opposition

Bemidji State
2024 Record: 10-4 (7-3 NSIC)
2025 Record: 3-5 (3-4 NSIC)
Nickname: Beavers
Head Coach: Brent Bolte (8th Season)
Top Beaver
Offense: Bart McAninch, QB (84-122, 960 yards, seven touchdowns)
Defense: Caden Bolte, S (51 tackles, one interception, seven pass breakups)
Special Teams: Connor Mantelli, K/P (FG: 5-5, 31 punts, 40.65 YPP, nine inside 20)