Bemidji State
2-2 Overall
0-0 NSIC South
Head Coach: Brent Bolte

Minnesota Crookston
0-4 Overall
0-0 NSIC North
Head Coach: Mark Dufner

Date: Sept. 30, 2017
Time: 1 p.m. C.T.
Site: Crookston, Minn.
Stadium: Ed Widseth Field
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,000
Series: BSU leads 22-2
Last: Bemidji State won 76-13 Nov. 12 in Bemidji, Minn.

Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM
Leo Blavin (Play by Play)
Chris Fee (Sideline)
Video: Stretch Internet
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Live Stats:http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/football/

The Scoop
    The University of Minnesota Crookston hosts NSIC North rival Bemidji State University in the 14th annual "Hubcap Game" and Homecoming. The "Hubcap Game" signifies the 88 miles of U.S. Highway 2 between Bemidji and Crookston. The Golden Eagles last picked up a 16-14 win over the Beavers on Homecoming Oct. 5, 2013.

Previewing the Golden Eagles
    Minnesota Crookston enters Homecoming weekend with an 0-4 mark on the season. The Golden Eagles have continued to show improvement, especially on the defensive end where they limited No. 7 University of Sioux Falls to their second-lowest output of the season.

    Offensively, the Golden Eagles are averaging 272.8 yards per game on the season. Minnesota Crookston has been led at quarterback by Joseph Nava, who has passed for 577 yards and five touchdowns. Nava missed most of last week after suffering an injury on the first play. In his absence, the Golden Eagles looked to Jeremy Neuman, who passed for 126 yards. Minnesota Crookston will look to get more going in their ground game as they are just averaging 78.8 yards per game. Kevin Evans leads the team with 177 yards on the season. At receiver, Minnesota Crookston has two of the best receivers in program history in Adam Connette and Rod Stewart. Connette is the all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions at Minnesota Crookston. He has 330 yards on 27 receptions with four touchdowns, while Stewart has 16 catches for 169 yards as a junior.

    Defensively, Minnesota Crookston looks to safety Will Cole with 39 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while linebacker Will Cross has 34 tackles for 1.5 tackles for loss. On the pass rush, Minnesota Crookston is led by senior Austin Howard's 1.5 sacks. 

Previewing the Beavers
    Bemidji State enters the weekend with a 2-2 mark. They are coming off of a 40-22 homecoming win over Southwest Minnesota State University. The Beavers are averaging 392.8 yards per game offensively with 166.5 yards per game on the ground and 226.2 yards a game through the air.

They look to senior quarterback Jordan Hein, who has passed for 905 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Beavers utilize two running backs with Andrew Lackowski and Tahi Nomane. Lackowski is a threat as a runner and a pass-catcher. He has 246 yards on 51 carries on the ground, along with eight receptions for 176 yards through the air. Nomane comes in with 179 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. At receiver, BSU looks to Blake Holder with 13 catches for 133 yards, while Christian Lunde has 11 grabs for 152 yards and one touchdown.

    Defensively, Bemdiji State is allowing 401.5 yards per game to their foes. The Beavers look to Niko Daniello with 39 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. John Vogeler leads the team with three
 interceptions. 

Throwback
    As previously stated, Minnesota Crookston last defeated Bemidji State 16-14 on Homecoming Oct. 5, 2013, so nearly four years ago to the date. The Golden Eagles were led by a defense that limited the Beavers to just 146 yards on the day with just 63 yards passing on the day. Andrew "Rock" Hall led the day with 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a half-sack. Crookston-native Brody Davidson chipped in 13 tackles and a sack. Drew Selvestra and Ricky Jacobs both forced fumbles on the day.

    Offensively, the Golden Eagles looked to the play of running back Keith McBride, who had 75 yards on the ground. Tommy Smith had a rushing touchdown, while Kyle Larson hooked up with Keoni Piceno for a 62-yard strike through the air. The Golden Eagles won on a safety by Tyler Hansen with 1:25 left in the game. 

First Meeting
    This will be the first meeting between Head Coaches Mark Dufner and Brent Bolte. Both coaches have had similar paths after being long-time defensive coordinators and assistant coaches for their respective programs before rising to the top. Bolte served as an assistant coach for 16 years under Jeff Tesch, before being named as interim coach last year. He earned the full-time gig this summer. Dufner was an assistant coach under Shannon Stassen, Chuck Moller, Paul Miller and Mike Fritze for 15 years before being named Head Coach prior to the 2017 season. 


#5StoryLines
1. Can Minnesota Crookston get the ball to playmakers Adam Connette and Rod Stewart?

2. Can the Golden Eagles pressure and get in the head of BSU quarterback Jordan Hein?

3. Will Minnesota Crookston be able to get the running game going?

4. How big of a factor in the running and passing game will Andrew Lackowski be for BSU? Can the Golden Eagles limit his touches?

5. Can the Minnesota Crookston defense continue to show improvement like they have the past two weeks?


#CollegiateDebut
Minnesota Crookston quarterback Jeremy Neuman made his collegiate debut last Saturday against Sioux Falls. He had a tough task entering the game for an injured Joseph Nava after the first play from scrimmage. Neuman was able to have some strong moments against one of the nation's top defenses as he passed for 126 yards on the game.


#CurtianCall
Minnesota Crookston wide receiver Adam Connette has had one of the most impressive careers of any player in program history. Connette is already the program's all-time leading receiver with 204 receptions for 2,389 yards. Connette is looking to close his career out in the final seven games on a strong note. He had a school record 14 receptions against Wayne State. Connette is closing in on the school record for receiving touchdowns as he needs just five more to tie Carl Aho. On the season, Connette has notched 27 catches for 330 yards and four touchdowns. 


#DontCrossHim
Minnesota Crookston redshirt sophomore linebacker Will Cross has had a great start to his career over the first 1.5 years in the Maroon and Gold. Cross led the team with 90 tackles on his way to an All-NSIC Honorable Mention pick in 2016. He is off to another strong start to the season as he has posted 34 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack. He has also forced a fumble this season. Cross will look to make a major impact defensively this weekend against Bemidji State.

#TheMississippiMenace

Minnesota Crookston defensive end Austin Howard has been strong on the pass rush this season as the New Albany, Miss., native is the co-leader in sacks this season with Ben Branscom. Howard has 26 tackles as a redshirt senior after sitting out last season. He will look to continue to wreak havoc as the Golden Eagles take on Bemidji State led by senior quarterback Jordan Hein. 



First Meeting
This will be the first meeting between Head Coaches Mark Dufner and Brent Bolte. Both coaches have had similar paths after being long-time defensive coordinators and assistant coaches for their respective programs before rising to the top. Bolte served as an assistant coach for 16 years under Jeff Tesch, before being named as interim coach last year. He earned the full-time gig this summer. Dufner was an assistant coach under Shannon Stassen, Chuck Moller, Paul Miller and Mike Fritze for 15 years before being named Head Coach prior to the 2017 season.