BSU Football Falls to Sioux Falls 56-23 in Home Opener

Through their first two games of 2025, Bemidji State football has been trying to find their sense of identity as a team. They had been able to put together some offense but had yet to score in the second half, and they were able to make stops on defense—but not the big ones they needed.

On Saturday, the Beavers were hoping their return home would be the remedy, but Sioux Falls spoiled those plans right out of the gate. USF led 28-7 at the half, and they won with a final score of 56-23.

“They started out about as poorly as you could have and gave up the opening kickoff, which is usually a recipe for disaster, which it turned out to be,” said head coach Brent Bolte after the game. “We had chances, like we moved the ball at times and then we had, we’re in the high red zone and then we had a false start, and this snap. It just got away from us guys.”

He continued, “I’ve been doing this a long time, I guess 100 games here as the head coach, and I’ll remember this one. I got my butt kicked is really what happened. And we have a lot of talent. Like, talent doesn’t mean you’re going to win college football games, so you got to become a team. And that’s what we’re struggling to do right now, is find an identity and come together.

It’s the first 0-3 start under Coach Bolte, and the first time the team gave up more than 50 points at home since September 25, 2021 to Augustana. As it turns out, the Beavers face #9 Augustana at home next Saturday, September 20.