MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead football looks to retain the Axe Trophy as they look towards a road matchup with Bemidji State this Saturday. Kickoff from Chet Anderson Stadium in Bemidji is slated for 1 p.m.

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. Moorhead is coming off a 14-13 loss to Northern State last week. 

Matchup History...MSUM regained control of the Axe Trophy a season ago in a convincing 49-21 victory over the Beavers in Moorhead a season ago. Jack Strand tied the NSIC single-game record with seven passing scores in the win with the mark becoming a new MSUM single-game record as well. Prior to the 2025 season, Bemidji State had won the annual rivalry game each of the last five seasons. Moorhead and Bemidji State is one of the oldest all-time series in NCAA Division II history. The programs first battled one another on September 28, 1929 with MSUM winning, 6-0. The Dragons lead the all-time series between the two schools 48-40-3. 

Talkin' Axe... 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 39-34-3 record in Battle Axe games. The Bemidji Homecoming commitee 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.

The Full Ulmer...Sophomore punter Tristan Ulmer turned in another sturdy effort for the Dragons against Northern State. Ulmer punted seven times, averaging just under 42 yards per attempt. The Mandan, N.D., native scored one punt over 50 yards while pinning the Wolves inside their own 20-yard line four times. Ulmer also showcased his athleticism, rushing 17 yards on fourth down following a high snap. The sophomore earned MSUM a first down with his legs on the play. 

Bruner On The Route...Sophomore wide receiver Reggie Bruner reeled in his first career touchdown pass on Saturday against Northern State. Bruner caught a 12-yard pass from Drew Huebner in the end zone. So far this season, Bruner has made seven receptions for 126 yards.

Locking In On Third...MSUM has an impressive 51.9 percent success rate on third downs (56-108). The percentage ranks 12th in NCAA Division II this season

Disrupting It All...Moorhead tallied six tackles for loss and three sacks against Northern State on Saturday. Derek Tibbetts, Dean Lempka and Zach Dahl all logged sacks for the Dragons. Six different MSUM players had tackles for loss while Preston Johnson led the team with a career-high 10 tackles, including seven solo stops. Gavin Jarchow and Reign Battle each made six total tackles in the game as well. 

Quick Scout...The Beavers have leaned on quarterback Connor Carver all season. The junior has rushed for 600 yards and nine touchdowns so far this season while also passing for 831 yards and four scores. Defensive back Caden Bolte anchors the defense behind his team-leading 55 total tackles. 

Steve Laqua is in his 16th season as MSUM's head football coach.