Separated by 110 miles, longtime adversaries Minot State University and the University of Mary have come together to boost their long rivalry with the Battle of the Big Lake Trophy. The Beavers have won 6 of the last 8 meetings of the Battle of Big Lake and hold a 6-4 advantage over Mary.
During the 2023 season the two teams battled for the 10th annual "Battle of the Big Lake" traveling trophy between the Minot State University and the University of Mary. Currently the Beavers-Mauraders battle remains the only annual football game in North Dakota between two NCAA members.
Minot State has played UMary 27 times, more than any other school. The series began in 1988 when University of Mary joined the North Dakota College Athletic Conference and went on a hiatus in 2005 when the Marauders moved to NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun. After a seven-year break following the 2005 contest, the two schools resumed the series in 2012 when Minot State was admitted into the Northern Sun.
University of Mary won the first two "Battle of the Big Lake" traveling trophy games. The Beavers claimed the trophy for the first time in 2015 with a 15-9 overtime road win, the first of what has now been a long win streak for Minot State in the trophy game.
History of the Battle of the Big Lake Trophy (Record: 6-4)
| DATE |
SEASON |
LOCATION |
SCORE |
MEDIA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| October 28 |
2023 |
Bismarck, N.D. |
L 27-23 |
|
| November 5 |
2022 |
Minot, N.D. |
W 17-10 |
|
| November 6 |
2021 |
Bismarck, N.D. |
L 49-31 |
|
| No Game |
2020 |
|
|
COVID |
| September 21 |
2019 |
Bismarck, N.D. |
W 34 - 29 |
|
| September 15 |
2018 |
Minot, N.D. |
W 41 - 28 |
|
| September 30 |
2017 |
Bismarck, N.D. |
W 27 - 19 |
|
| November 12 |
2016 |
Minot, N.D. |
W 21 - 20 |
|
| October 10 |
2015 |
Bismarck, N.D. |
W 15 - 9 |
|
| October 11 |
2014 |
Minot, N.D. |
L 29 - 31 |
|
| October 5 |
2013 |
Bismarck, N.D. |
L 10 - 45 |
|
