(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston football team hosted the red-hot Bemidji State University Beavers this afternoon at Ed Widseth Field in a rivalry game for the coveted "Hubcap" traveling trophy. BSU quarterback Derek Edholm had a sensational game completing 11 passes for 179 yards and five touchdowns to help the Beavers take the conference victory 45-6.

Bemidji State controlled much of the first half scoring 20 unanswered points and holding the ball for more than a quarter with over 18 minutes of time of possession through the first 30 minutes. The Golden Eagles opened the game with an onside kick that was recovered by BSU. Three plays and 42 yards later, the Beavers were up 7-0 on a Brian Leonhardt touchdown reception from Edholm. Leonhardt lit up the scoreboard in the first half catching three touchdown passes including a 15-yarder and a 21-yarder to give the Beavers a 20-0 halftime lead. The Golden Eagles had just 16 yards of total offense in the first quarter but rebounded in the second quarter to tally 98 yards of total offense. UMC runningback Keith McBride (5-11, 195, FR, Lodi, Wis.) had a solid first half for the Golden Eagles. McBride rushed 11 times for 80 yards, averaged 7.3 yards/carry and scampered for a long of 18 yards.

Bemidji State struck first in the second half when Edholm hit Christian Metz for a 10 yard touchdown pass. The Golden Eagle offense once again showed what they are capable of when they took the ensuing kickoff 60 yards on 10 plays. The drive was capped off by a nine yard touchdown strike from Tim Ennis (QB, 6-2, 205, JR, Lancaster, Calif.) to Antonio Williams (WR, 6-2, 215, JR, West Palm Beach, Fla.) to cut the BSU lead to 26-6. The Beavers would close out the game scoring three more times for the 45-6 victory. Combined, both teams scored six of the eight touchdowns through the air.

Leading the way for the Golden Eagles was McBride who rushed 18 times for 99 yards. Ennis completed 12 passes for 85 yards and one touchdown. Williams was the main target catching a game-high six passes for 51 yards and one touchdown. Cody Brekken (DB, 5-11, 190, JR, Crookston, Minn.), Kyle Myers (LB, 5-10, 255, SR, Palmyra, N.J.) and Kolby Gruhot (DL, 6-3, 250, SO, Argyle, Minn.) were named tri-defensive players of the game. Brekken finished with a game-high eight tackles. Myers and Gruhot finished with seven tackles each and both tallied a tackle for a loss.

Bemidji State was led by Derek Edholm who completed 11 passes for 179 yards and five touchdowns. Dustin Kroeplin rushed 22 times for 127 yards and one touchdown. Lance Rongstad rushed 10 times for 86 yards and averaged 8.6 yards/carry. Brian Leonhardt caught four passes for 82 yards and scored three touchdowns. Defensively, Jake Anderson led the Beavers with seven total tackles, 1.5 sacks and two tackles for a loss.

The Golden Eagles are 1-7 overall and 0-7 in the NSIC while the Beavers advance to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the NSIC. The Golden Eagles hit the road next Saturday as the team travels to Winona State University. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Photo: Keith McBride 

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).