BEMIDJI, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls football team (3-0, 2-0 NSIC) delivered a statement win this afternoon, powering past Bemidji State (0-3, 0-2 NSIC) in a commanding 56-23 win at Chet Anderson Stadium.
Lightning Start
The Cougars wasted no time setting the tone. On the opening kickoff, Adonis Hutchinson raced it back 102 yards for a touchdown, giving USF a 7-0 lead just 13 seconds into the game.
Offensive Firepower
Quarterback Camden Dean was near-perfect, completing 19-of-24 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. He spread the wealth across the receiving corps:
Dean capped the first half with a nine-yard rushing score to give the Cougars a 28-7 halftime advantage.
The ground game was equally explosive. Christian Nash ripped off a 69-yard touchdown run, while Jordan Smith added a 75-yard sprint to the house. In total, USF racked up 248 rushing yards on the day.
Balanced Attack, Relentless Pace
USF piled up 521 yards of total offense, converting 11-of-18 third downs and both fourth-down tries. The Cougars scored on four-of-five drives inside the red zone, showcasing both efficiency and explosiveness. With over 36 minutes of offense, Sioux Falls continues to lead the NSIC in time of possession while averaging 37:57 a game.
Defense Bends but Doesn't Break
While Bemidji State managed 307 total yards, including a 59-yard touchdown run by Antonio Brown, USF's defense kept the Beavers in check. The Cougars forced 11 penalties for 75 yards, broke up five passes, and held BSU to just 3-of-10 on third-down conversions.
Garret Hoffman (4 tackles, 1 TFL) and Conor Rice (3 tackles, 1 TFL) anchored the defense, while Preston Yohnke and Jake Hoch added pass breakups to stall Beaver drives. Trey Lewis and Beau Giblin both added 4 tackles for The Coo while Lewis added an impressive pass breakup preventing a score from the Beavers.
By the Numbers
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Total Yards: USF 521 – BSU 307
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Rushing Yards: USF 248 – BSU 136
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Passing Yards: USF 273 – BSU 171
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Time of Possession: USF 36:16 – BSU 23:44
Statement Win
With the victory, Sioux Falls improves to 3-0 while Bemidji State falls to 0-3. The Cougars' 56 points marked their highest output since 2022 when they defeated Upper Iowa 50-6.
Up Next
USF returns home next weekend for another NSIC showdown, looking to build on their unbeaten start. The Cougars will host #24 Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, September 20th at 1pm at Bob Young Field for their Hall of Fame Game. Fans are encouraged to "Black out The Bob" by wearing black next weekend. USF will also recognize healthcare workers during next weekends contest.
