BEMIDJI — Bemidji State is the shortest potential bus ride for Minnesota Duluth in the NSIC but it probably felt like the longest Saturday.
UMD’s 44-26 loss to the host Beavers at Chet Anderson Stadium likely ruined any postseason possibilities for the Bulldogs in 2026.
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The Bulldogs have led with defense throughout the season and had not given up more than 23 points in regulation since August. BSU had that Saturday in a quarter and a half.
The Beavers got 154 yards receiving and three touchdowns from Lucas Peterson and a combined 199 rush yards and three scores from Antonio Brown (101) and Connor Carver (98). Carver, the BSU quarterback, was 12-for-24 passing for 265 yards.
UMD never led, its only first-half highlight being a 67-yard touchdown run by Ryder Patterson. The disastrous first half included an interception, a fumbled kickoff return and a failed fake punt and ended with the Beavers up 31-7.
UMD made a bid in the second half, scoring back-to-back touchdowns on a 39-yard-pass from Riley Grossman to Cameron Begalle and a 28-yard run by Alex Riley. However, Bemidji hit on another big play, a 68-yard pass from Carver to Peterson, to make it a 17-point game and th...