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ST. PAUL, Minn. -- After posting a 7-3 record in conference play during the 2009 season, the Bemidji State University football team has been tabbed fifth (122 points) in the 2010 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll announced today by league officials. In addition, BSU senior quarterback Derek Edholm (Anoka, Minn.) and senior defensive end Jordan Lardinois (New Franken, Wis.) were recognized as preseason players to watch.

Defending conference champion University of Minnesota Duluth was selected first overall collecting 13 of 14 first-place votes and 169 points. UMD was also the preseason favorite in the North Division (36 points), while back-to-back NCAA Playoff participant Minnesota State University, Mankato earned the final first place vote and was predicted to finish second overall with 157 points and garnered top billing in the South Division (36 points).

The Beavers, who finished third in the North Division last season (4-2), were selected in the third spot in the division with 28 points and one first place vote. Bemidji State fell just a point behind St. Cloud State University (29) which finished 5-1 in divisional play last season. Following the Beavers in the North Division were University of Mary (20), Northern State University (17), Minnesota State University Moorhead (11) and University of Minnesota, Crookston (6).

In addition to the preseason rankings, league coaches also submitted votes for several individual awards. UMD running back Isaac Odim was selected North Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and UMD linebacker Robbie Aurich garnered the North Division’s top preseason defensive honors, both for the second consecutive seasons. Southwest Minnesota State’s quarterback Ryan Ratekin was pegged as the South Division Offensive Preseason Player of the Year while Winona State’s defensive lineman Matt Ulrich was picked as the South Division Defensive Preseason Player of the Year.

Bemidji State student-athletes, Edholm and Lardinois were each recognized as 2010 NSIC Preseason Players to Watch:

#8 Derek Edholm (QB, 6-1, 181, Sr., Anoka, Minn.)

Edholm enters the 2010 season after compiling one of the finest seasons by a quarterback in Bemidji State’s 84-year history. The junior started each of the Beavers’ 11 games and finished the 2009 season having a hand in 33 of the Beavers’ 49 offensive touchdowns--a record for BSU QBs. He completed 130-of-213 pass attempts for 1,662 yards and 25 touchdowns. In addition, he was third on the team rushing for 343 yards and eight touchdowns on 123 attempts. His 25 TD passes match Geoff Martinson for third on BSU’s single-season touchdown pass list, while his 61-percent completion rate ranks third on the teams single-season charts and his 160.61 passing efficiency is second only to Martinson’s 2001 mark (165.4). Edholm threw for a personal-best five touchdowns twice in 2009 (10/24/09 & 10/31/09), ran for three TDs (9/5/09) and rolled up 391 yards through the air versus University of Minnesota Duluth (10/31/09). At the conclusion of the 2009 campaign, he became the first Beaver signal caller to pull down a spot on the all-conference first team since Martinson in 2001. He enters 2010 already solidly within the top ten in 10 categories in BSU’s career recordbook, which includes leading the career completion percentage list (.621), ranking third on BSU’s career completions list and fourth on the school’s touchdown pass list (42).

#93 Jordan Lardinois (DE, 6-3, 253, Sr., New Franken, Wis.)

Lardinois comes into the 2010 campaign as one of the leaders of the Beavers’ “Gang Green” defense.  In 2009, he started 11 games at defensive end maturing into one of the most feared defensive linemen in the NSIC. He posted 33 tackles (18 solo), which included 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. In addition, Lardinois led the Beavers with two fumble recoveries, accounted for a safety and batted down a pass.  In his career, he has amassed 80 tackles (38 solo), with 20.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 quarterback sacks in 33 games played.

The Beavers open the 2010 campaign Thursday, Aug. 26 when they travel to Minot, N.D. to battle Minot State University in a nonconference tilt. The 13th annual Beaver Bash is slated for a 7 p.m. start at MSU’s Herb Parker Stadium.

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