BEMIDJI, Minn. – Minot State University had its first 100 yard rusher on the season, but the Beavers couldn't stop No. 22 ranked Bemidji State's rushing game as BSU topped Minot State 52-28 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football Saturday.

MSU's Ben Zahniser became for the first Minot State rusher with a 100-yard game on the season and the first since Jarvis Mustipher's 175 yard effort in week 7 last season at St. Cloud State. Zahniser, a freshman, finished with 17 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns – all career highs – to help MSU's offensive cause.

But it was the BSU rushing game that ended up being the story. Bemidji State rushed for 436 yards total as a part of their 574 total yards. They held a 574-300 edge overall.

Minot State (1-6 overall, 1-6 NSIC, 0-3 NSIC North) had another lull late in the second quarter and early in the third quarter that turned a close game into a large margin. After Zahniser cut the BSU lead to 33-21 with his second rushing score of the game – a 70-yard scamper – MSU was outscored 17-0 from late in the second to the end of the third quarter.

Bemidji State (6-1, 6-1, 3-0) scored with no time on the clock as Jared Henning put BSU up 39-21 at half. The short touchdown drive was set up by a Minot State interception with just 24 seconds to play in the half. MSU turned the ball over five times leading to 18 points for BSU.

BSU scored twice in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 49-21 after three and put the game out of reach.

Henning led the BSU Beavers with 172 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He also passed for 65 yards. Gena Adams also topped 100 yards for Bemidji State with 152 yards rushing and two scores.

Isaiah Weed passed for 170 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted three times. He also finished with a rushing touchdown, scoring for 16 yards out in the fourth quarter. Akkil Walker caught four passes for 63 yards and hauled in a score in the first quarter for Minot State. MSU had 130 yards rushing and 170 passing overall for its 300 total.

Freshman linebacker Titus Dixon had a career-high 11 tackles to pace the defense. Donnell Vercher added 10 tackles and intercepted a pass for MSU. Punter Aaron La Deaux had a huge day, finishing with a 58.5 average on four punts, including a season-high 72 yarder.

MSU returns to Herb Parker Stadium Saturday to celebrate Hall of Fame weekend with a 1 p.m. matchup with Minnesota Crookston.

About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.