Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Mike Fritze
Record at UMC: 2-25 Season at UMC: Third Season

Bemidji State Beavers
Head Coach: Jeff Tesch
Record at BSU: 121-90 Season at BSU: 20th Season

Oct. 10, 2015 • CROOKSTON, Minn. • Ed Widseth Field • 1 p.m.
Hub Cap Game - 12th Edition - BSU leads 10-1
Radio: 1260 KROX AM Play by Play: Matt Bishop
Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/football/
Radio Online: www.kroxam.com

#5StoryLines
1. Can the Golden Eagles develop a running game against Bemidji State?

2. Can the Golden Eagles passing game have success against the Bemidji State pass defense which was partially responsible for their three losses?

3. Can Tra Hearns improve at quarterback for UMC?

4. Will the Golden Eagles go back-to-back in wins at home against BSU?

5. Will the UMC defense slow down the BSU offense, which has had back-to-back strong weeks led by quarterback Jordan Hein?



#Tidbits
- UMC has just two victories in a long series with Bemidji State as they won in 1998 and 2013. The last time UMC and Bemidji State played at Ed Widseth Field, it was a battle of defenses and special teams as the Golden Eagles came through with a 16-14 win to bring home the Hub Cap. The Beavers lead the all-time series 20-2, but both wins for UMC have come at Ed Widseth Field.

- The Golden Eagles have to figure out third downs if their offense wants to move the football. UMC is currently just 20-of-80 for 25 percent on third downs, while their defense is giving up 58 percent of third downs to the opposition. The UMC offense is averaging just 239.2 yards per game and will look to improve this week against Bemidji State.

- UMC has targeted a lot of different receivers this season with 11 different players catching a pass this season. The leaders for UMC have been redshirt freshman Triston Richert, who has 192 yards and a touchdown and Adam Connette, who has 184 yards and two touchdowns. Connette is already closing in on the top five for receiving yards all-time at UMC, showing the production he has had for the Golden Eagles. Constant Jackson has also had a strong start to the year with 12 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown.

- UMC safety Lethzee Calderon has had a strong start to the 2015 season. Calderon is among the top 10 in tackles in the conference as he has 44 tackles so far this season. Calderon will look to continue his strong start as UMC heads into the sixth game of the season.

- UMC is averaging just 64.4 yards on the ground this year, while giving up 304.4 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Eagles will have to shorten the differential to find success.

- UMC has had several freshman play or have an impact this season. On offense, Duke Smith and Kolby Castillo have both started at times for the Golden Eagles, while Sam Davis, Rodney Stewart and Lincoln Tappe have made
appearances. On defense, Conner Finnestad has had an impact, as has Bubba Cook. While Aeric Berner and William Cole have also played. On special teams, long snapper Zach Greenberg has made an impact.

- The Beavers have had a good balance overall on offense with 236.8 yards per game through the air and 169 yards per game on the ground. Jordan Hein has been the centerpiece of the BSU offense, throwing for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 223 yards and three touchdowns. His primary targets in the passing game have been Juwaan Richard, who had 29 catches for 277 yards and Jordan Noskowiak, who continues to make highlight reel plays and has 15 catches for 239 yards and three touchdowns. In the running game, Tahi Nomane leads BSU with 91 carries for 387 yards and three touchdowns.

- The Bemidiji State defense has been one of the best in the NSIC, led by veteran defensive coordinator Brent Bolte. The Golden Eagles are allowing just 342.4 yards per game, behind only top-five teams Minnesota State University, Mankato and University of Sioux Falls and then Upper Iowa University. The Beavers have eight takeaways and are limiting teams to 33 percent on third down this season. Linebackers Colton Blascyk, Trysten Ross and Greg Button lead the defense, along with cornerback Gunner Olszewski and safety Kameel Al-Khouri.

- The games BSU has lost have had a lot to do with pass defense. In the three Bemidji State losses this season, teams have thrown for an average of 252.7 yards per game, while in BSU's two wins the opponents have thrown for just 139.0 yards per game. The Golden Eagles have some aerial threats they will try to use but will have to get a better game out of Tra Hearns, who struggled in his first game back from injury. Hearns was 12-of-24 for 127 yards and two touchdowns last week. He will look to improve against BSU.

- BSU has a new offensive coordinator in Craig Bagnell this season. Bagnell was a successful quarterback at University of Mary before moving to BSU as a graduate assistant last season and now as an offensive coordinator.