A Milestone Season Ahead
Bemidji State University’s football program is slated to finish seventh in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason coaches poll, a modest but notable jump from a ninth‑place finish a year ago when the Beavers posted a 4‑7 overall record.
The team’s late‑season surge included victories over Northern State, Wayne State, Jamestown and Mary, hinting at a growing confidence that carried into the offseason.
Key Figures to Watch
Defensive standout Caden Bolte earned the preseason nod as the conference’s Defensive Player to Watch, having topped the 2025 tally with 65 tackles, 47 solo, and a pass‑breakup rate that placed him seventh in the NSIC and 82nd nationally.
On the offensive side, running back Connor Carver was selected as the Offensive Player to Watch after amassing 812 rushing yards on 97 carries, a 7.5‑yard average, and eight touchdowns while also contributing five passing scores.
Opening the 100th‑Anniversary Campaign
The Beavers will open the historic 100th‑anniversary campaign on August 27 at Chet Anderson Stadium, hosting Michigan Technological University’s Huskies in a 6 p.m. kickoff that promises a festive atmosphere for fans across Minnesota and beyond.
With the season opener also serving as the annual Shrine Game, the university’s official site, BSUBeavers.com, is already gearing up for ticket sales and community outreach, underscoring the program’s deep roots in the region.
The upcoming schedule not only marks a numerical milestone but also reflects a broader ambition to compete more consistently within the NSIC, a goal that coaches say is within reach given the returning talent and the experience gained from last year’s turnaround.