By: Madie Brink
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – (RV) University of Sioux Falls Football (2-0, 1-0 NSIC) will hit the road for the first time in NSIC play as the Cougars travel to Bemidji, Minn., to face Bemidji State (0-2, 0-1 NSIC) on Saturday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Chet Anderson Stadium.
THE GAME
Saturday's matchup marks the 9th all-time meeting between the Cougars and Beavers, with the series tied at 4-4 dating back to 1982. Bemidji State won last year's contest, 28-24, in Sioux Falls, while USFs last win over the Beavers was, 37-36, in 2016. Three of the past four meetings have been decided by one score or less, underscoring the competitiveness of the series.
THE LAST TIME
On Sept. 21, 2024, Sioux Falls came up short in a 28-24 loss to Bemidji State at Bob Young Field. After falling behind early, the Cougars responded in the second quarter when quarterback Camden Dean connected with Travis Yohnke for a 12-yard touchdown and later hit Mark Leonard on a 49-yard strike to tie the score at 14-14. Nick Hernandez added a field goal before halftime to give USF a 17-14 lead.
Dean and Leonard hooked up again to open the second half on a 5-yard touchdown, extending the Cougar lead to 24-14—USF's largest of the day. But the Beavers rallied with 14 unanswered points down the stretch to hand USF its first loss of the season. Dean finished with 192 total yards and three passing touchdowns, while Leonard recorded 77 receiving yards and two scores. Defensively, Matt Goehring led USF with eight tackles, with Garret Hoffman and Andy Henson each adding seven stops.
THE COUGAR FILE
Sioux Falls has opened the 2025 campaign with wins over Black Hills State (27-21) and Northern State (42-28). Through two games, the Cougars are averaging 34.5 points per game while holding opponents to 24.5.
Senior quarterback Camden Dean has paced the offense with 471 passing yards and four touchdowns while adding 168 rushing yards and three scores, averaging 319.5 total yards per game. Redshirt sophomore Bubba Tann III leads the ground game with 171 yards and three touchdowns, while sophomore wideout Hank Brown Jr. has emerged as Dean's top target with 17 receptions for 191 yards. Graduate transfer Isaiah Emanuel (6 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD) and junior Adonis Hutchinson (6 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD) add depth to the passing attack.
Defensively, Garret Hoffman (10 tackles, 1 INT) and Mauloa Wells (7 tackles, 1 INT) have sparked the secondary, while linebacker Andy Henson (9 tackles) and linebacker London Kolb (7 tackles, 2.5 TFL) anchor the front seven. The Cougars lead the NSIC in rushing defense, allowing just 80 yards per game, as well as in time of possession at 38:48 per game.
THE BEAVER FILE
Bemidji State enters the contest at 0-2 after falling to Michigan Tech (37-17) and Winona State (21-17). The Beavers have struggled in the second half, scoring all 34 of their points this season before halftime. Offensively, BSU ranks outside the top 100 nationally in several categories, including 139th in passing and 108th in scoring.
Quarterback Connor Carver leads the team with 219 rushing yards and two touchdowns while adding 163 yards and a score through the air. His top targets are Imarion Kelly (54 receiving yards) and Michael Schurman (43 yards, 1 TD). On defense, linebacker Caden Bolte has been a standout, tallying 15 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups. Special teams are anchored by Connor Mantelli, who is averaging 38.8 yards per punt and has converted both of his field goal attempts this season.
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