BEMIDJI, Minn. – The University of Mary's hopes of spoiling homecoming for Bemidji State University and keeping the Beavers on the banks of Lake Bemidji were dashed early as BSU scored on its first three possessions in a 38-7 win over U-Mary.
Last season the Beavers beat the Marauders in U-Mary's homecoming game. This year the Marauders hoped to return the favor and prevent the Beavers from taking a post-game swim in Lake Bemidji. Tradition dictates the BSU football team runs into the adjacent lake after a homecoming win. The gates to the lake were unlocked early as the Beavers jumped out to a 20-0 lead with 6:20 still remaining in the first quarter.
After the Marauders (0-5 Northern Sun/overall / 0-1 NSIC North) were unable to generate a first down on the opening drive, BSU (2-3 / 1-0) went 56 yards in two plays to score. The second touchdown Beavers touchdown was set up by an interception. A missed extra point kick and a
Deon Paulson block of the second point after touchdown left BSU leading 12-0. A 41 yard drive on four plays expanded the BSU lead to 20-0 after a successful 2-point conversion.
The U-Mary offense began to find its footing, driving to the BSU 21 yard line before stalling on fourth down. After the defense forced a 3-and-out, the Marauders got on the scoreboard one play later. Taking over at its 49 yard line,
Caleb Buck connected with
Brennan Doan on a 51 yard touchdown pass to pull within 20-7.
Two field goal failures by the Beavers, the second due to a block by
Seth Walton on a 24 yard attempt with nine seconds left in the first half, kept the score 20-7 at intermission.
Marauders defensive efforts stopped the first two Beavers drives in the third quarter. First
Jacob Parker broke up a fourth down pass from the U-Mary 11 before an
Anthony Eggleston fumble recovery ended the second. BSU then drove its third possession 82 yards in seven plays, capped by Tahi Nomane's 8 yard scoring run, his second touchdown of the day.
Behind Buck, who either ran or passed on 12 of 13 plays of the ensuing drive, the Marauders moved to the BSU 16 before a 4
th down sack forced Buck to fumble and end the possession.
The Beavers added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and the Marauders snuffed out both point after touchdown kick attempts, the first blocked by
Danielle Whitaker.
Relying on their aerial attack, Buck threw the ball 64 times in the contest, tying the school's single game record established by
Zach Roberson in the final game of the 2014 season. Buck completed 32 attempts for 299 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The sophomore quarterback also ran for a team-high 18 yards.
One week after catching his first collegiate pass, freshman
Sam Mackedanz hauled down a game-high seven passes for 44 yards. Doan had six catches for a career-high 98 yards and a score.
Zach Podoll had a career-best six grabs for 49 yards. In all, Buck found 11 different receivers in the game.
Parker broke up four passes for U-Mary and added five solo tackles. Whitaker blocked two kicks and broke up two passes.
Preston Tescher had a team-best nine tackles (seven solo) and knocked down a pass and Walton added seven tackles.
Nomane ran for a game-high 95 yards and two scores to lead the Beavers offense. Gena Adams added 80 yards and a score and Jordan Hein chipped in 79 yards. Hein also completed 16-of-33 passes for 217 yards and two scores.
Greg Button had three tackles for loss to lead BSU. Kaleb Olszewski had 11 tackles, two breakups and a 54 yard interception return for a score.
The Marauders now return home to host Minot State University in the Battle of the Big Lake on Saturday, Oct. 10. Game time is 1 p.m. at the MDU Resources Community Bowl.
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