CROOKSTON, Minn. – Four turnovers including two returned to pay dirt led Bemidji State University to a commanding 56-0 win over University of Minnesota Crookston to spoil Homecoming at Ed Widseth Field. The Beavers improve to 23-2 all-time against the Golden Eagles and take home the "Hubcap" trophy, commemorating the 88 miles of Highway 2 between the two schools. Bemidji State has been victorious in the last four meetings between the two schools.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 0-5 with the loss (0-1 NSIC North). Bemidji State improved to 3-2 (1-0 NSIC North) with Saturday's victory.

The Golden Eagles struggled on the day offensively as they were able to rack up just 104 yards on the day. Jeremy Neuman (R-Fr., QB, Andover, Minn.) got the nod at quarterback due to an injury suffered to Joseph Nava (R-Fr., QB, San Antonio, Texas) last week against University of Sioux Falls. Neuman would go 8-of-17 for 24 yards with three interceptions on the day. The Minnesota Crookston offense was led by Rod Stewart (Jr., WR, Fort Worth, Texas), who notched six catches for 58 yards. Tommy Singer (R-Jr., QB, Apple Valley, Minn.) came on in relief at quarterback and went 5-of-6 with 65 yards.

In the run game, the Golden Eagles looked to Shavez Hawkins, Jr. (Fr., RB, Gilbert, Ariz.) for 20 carries for 35 yards. In addition, Nathan Coy (Fr., WR, Sun Prairie, Wis.) tallied one reception for 22 yards.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles looked to Ali Alkhatib (R-Jr., LB, Rosemount, Minn.) with 10 tackles. Donovan Baker (Fr., DB, Tampa, Fla.) added six tackles and one sack, while Will Cole (Jr., DB, Compton, Calif.) notched six tackles and one tackle for loss.

The Beavers had 26 points generated off of turnovers including an interception for a touchdown from E.J. Olszewski, who had three picks on the day, and a fumble return for a touchdown by Cole Schmitz.

Offensively, Bemidji State racked up 512 yards of offense, including 177 on the ground and 335 through the air. The Beavers looked to senior quarterback Jordan Hein, who was 19-of-33 for 301 yards with three touchdowns. He connected three times with Blake Holder for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Lunde was Hein's top target with seven touches for 113 yards.

In the run game, the Beavers used their triple-threat of running backs with Andrew Lackowski, Tahi Nomane and Michael Washington. Nomane led the way with 60 yards on 12 carries. Lackowski chipped in 59 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown, while Washington notched 27 yards.

Defensively, Bemidji State picked up their first shutout since 2012. The Beavers looked to Logan Steining with five tackles, one sack and a tackle for loss. Michael Junker added five tackles, while Justin Van Houtan had five tackles and 1.5 sacks. Austin Contreras chipped in three tackles and two tackles for loss.

Minnesota Crookston also gave the Beavers strong field position as the wind impacted the punting on the day. Stephen Day (R-Jr., K/P, Eveleth, Minn.) would break the school record for punts in a career on the day, but would only average 29.9 yards on 10 punts.

The Beavers started out the scoring on the first drive when Hein connected for a 29-yard strike to Holder. Bemidji State drove 78 yards on eight plays on the first drive. They also had a 23-yard pass from Hein to Lunde on the opening drive. BSU missed the extra point on the opening touchdown.

The Beavers opened up the second quarter with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Lackowski. A Jared Henning two-point conversion pushed the lead out to 14-0.

Bemidji State quickly added to the lead as they turned an E.J. Olszewski interception into six points as Hein connected with Brad Birchfield on the 14-yard strike. A failed rush attempt by Henning kept the score at 20-0.

Minnesota Crookston moved it into Bemidji State territory on the next drive, but were unable to take advantage as they were forced to punt.

BSU converted the stop to points as Isaac Aanerud connected on a 50-yard field goal to push the lead out to 23-0.

The Beavers made it 30-0 later in the second quarter when Hein dropped in a 33-yard pass to a wide open Holder, for their second touchdown connection for the day.

Bemidji State concluded the first half with a 47-yard field from Aanerud to push the lead to 33-0 at the break.

Minnesota Crookston got a 45-yard kickoff return from Hawkins to open up the second half, but they were unable to move the football in Beaver territory. Quickly, giving the ball back to Bemidji State.

The Golden Eagle defense would hold tight as they stopped Bemidji State on two-straight drives. Their first points of the third quarter came at the eight minute mark as Aanerud hit his third field goal of the day, this time from 42-yards out, to make it 36-0.

The Beavers quickly added to the lead as Olszewski returned an interception 26 yards to pay dirt soon after, pushing the lead to to 42-0.

It would only be a few more plays until Bemidji State's defense struck again. This time Alex Hoffman sacked Neuman and forced the ball out. Schmitz picked the ball up and ran 13 yards to the end zone to make it 49-0.

Minnesota Crookston turned the ball over again on the next drive as E.J. Olszewski intercepted the Neuman pass, giving the ball to Bemidji State at the Minnesota Crookston 41. This time, back-up quarterback Henning hooked up with Trevor Wettlaufer on a juggling catch from four yards out to make it 56-0.

The Golden Eagles gave the ball to Singer in the fourth quarter and he would put up the most productive offensive drive of the day, but they would still come up empty on the scoreboard. Singer connected with Stewart for three catches for 39 yards and Coy on a 21-yard strike.

The Beavers came through with the 56-0 win and took home the "Hubcap" trophy with the victory.

Minnesota Crookston hits the road Sat., Oct. 7 as they take on St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. at 1 p.m.