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Setting the Scene
Date:     Thursday, August 26, 2010
Location:    Minot, N.D.
Kickoff:    7:00 p.m.
Stadium:    Herb Parker Stadium
Stadium Capacity/Surface:    4,500/field turf
Local Radio:     92.1 The River
Play-by-play:    Brian Schultz
Internet Audio:    www.wmisfm.com/ and
www.beaverradionetwork.com

The Game
The Bemidji State University football team (0-0; 0-0 NSIC) begins the 2010 regular season with a nonconference bout at Minot State University (0-0; 0-0 Dakota Athletic Conference), in the 12th annual ‘Beaver Bash’. The Bemidji State Beavers finished last season 8-3 (7-3 NSIC, t-3rd), while the Beavers of Minot State went 8-3 (7-1 DAC, 1st) with a trip to the NAIA National Playoffs for the first time since 2002. BSU has opened at MSU four times and owns a 4-0 record in those contests. The game will also serve as the opening to the newly renovated Herb Parker Stadium. The stadium received a multi-million dollar face-lift over the last five months, which included converting the field from grass to field turf and installing a state-of-the-art lighting system.

The Series
The contest between Bemidji State and Minot State will serve as the 12th annual ‘Beaver Bash’. BSU owns a 10-1 record in the series and are riding a seven game winning streak against MSU. Bemidji State is 6-0 on Minot State’s home field. BSU has averaged 35.8 points per game against MSU, while holding it to 13.9 points per contest. Bemidji State’s ‘Gang Green’ defense has held Minot State to under 10 points on five occasions, including two shutouts (2000 and 2003). BSU has opened the season with its fellow Beavers six times, posting a 6-0 record. Under head coach Jeff Tesch, Bemidji State is 5-9 in opening games with a 5-4 record when opening on the road.

The Coaches
Bemidji State: Jeff Tesch is in his 15th season roaming the sidelines at Bemidji State.  He has posted an overall record of 91-60 (.603), which includes a 68-45 (.604) mark in NSIC tilts and a 10-1 record versus Minot State. In 14 seasons, Tesch has established BSU standards for games coached (151), victories (91), career winning percentage (.603) and conference wins (68).  Prior to his tenure at BSU, Tesch, a two-time NSIC Coach of the Year (1999 and 2006), spent 12 years as an assistant at North Dakota, two on the staff of Central Missouri and one season at Montana State.
Concordia: Paul Rudolph returns for his fourth season as the Head Coach at Minot State University and 12th as a collegiate head coach. Last season, 2009, the Beavers won a share of the DAC title for the second time in three years and played for the DAC Conference Title for the third straight season.  Coach Rudolph lead the Beavers to an appearance in the NAIA National Playoffs, the first since 2002. He is a two-time DAC Coach of the Year recipient. Rudolph was an assistant coach for seven seasons at St. Cloud State and served as the head coach at Upper Iowa University from 1991-99. 

The Program
Bemidji State’s all-time record is 308-395-24 (.441) dating back to 1926, which includes a 172-245-9 (.414) mark in NSIC play. The Beavers own five conference titles (1947, 50, 57, 59 and 2006) and count the 2006 Mineral Water Bowl as their first  post-season appearance.  Under the direction of Tesch, BSU has posted winning records in 11 of the last 12 years and have registered eight consecutive winning home campaigns.

Quick Count
• Bemidji State was ranked No. 5 in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, No. 22 in the USA Today Division II Preseason Top 25 and received votes in the AFCA Preseason Division II Coaches’ Poll.
BSU returns 21 of 24 starters from the 2009 squad, including 10 all-conference players.
• The Beavers finished the 2009 season as the No. 1 team in the NSIC in three categories, time of possession (371:49; 33:48/g), 3rd down conversions (79-158; 50%) and were the least penalized team (50; 450 yards, 40.9/g).
• In the final NCAA rankings, BSU was 7th in rushing defense, allowing just 81.2 yards per game, and 14th in total defense, allowing 276.9 yards per game.
• Senior quarterback Derek Edholm closed the final nine games of the 2009 season with at least one touchdown pass. Sophomore running back Dustin Kroeplin matched that streak with a score in each of his last nine games.
• Sophomore wide receiver Cam Abram finished the 2009 campaign with a touchdown in the final three games of the season.
• Senior Andrew Schultz is 83 yards from reaching the 1,000 yard plateau for his career. He also needs 12 receptions to reach the 100 career receptions mark.
• BSU Associate Head Coach Rich Jahner’s son, Trace, is a redshirt freshman at Minot State.