The Minot State University (MSU) football team used a 399-yard output on the ground, including 255 yards from Evan Lovett, and seven touchdowns to pick up a 56-23 win against Winona State University (WSU) Saturday afternoon, November 16, at home at Herb Parker Stadium.

The Beavers improved to 5-6 on the year and 4-6 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play, while the Warriors fell to 5-6 and 5-5. This may have been the best game MSU has played since their move to Division II as they make strides to being a contender in the NSIC.

The Seniors delivered a delightful finish to their careers, ending with a win as they head off into the sunset and leave Minot State resetting the standard for the young guys. The Beavers stomped on the gas pedal and did not let up.

“Today validates a lot of that,” said head coach Ian Shields. “Five wins is the high mark in the D2 era here at Minot State. I am proud we got that accomplished and these Seniors were a great foundation to move forward. Probably our most complete game. Offense, defense, kicking game all working together. There’s a lot of bright spots all across the board.”

Lovett paced the Beavers rushing attack by accumulating 255 yards and four touchdowns over the course of the game, averaging 10.2 yards per carry. The 255-yard effort ended up being the second most in the NCAA era for a single game.

Lovett also finishes the season with 958 yards rushing, which is also No. 2 in a single season in the NCAA era. The four rushing TDs also tied a single game record.

Carson Chrisman also added 81 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.

Chrisman had two prolific targets in the ballgame with Erik Palmquist, who caught one pass for 63 yards and 1 touchdown. And Sam Buckhanan got in on the action in the passing game as well, hauling in one ball for 63 yards.

Kevin Speed led the MSU defensive effort, collecting 1 interception. Jabez Tuaoa added 1.0 TFL and 1 sack, while Josh Will had 1.0 TFL and a sack in the win. The Beavers won the turnover battle in Saturday’s game, forcing one turnover while avoiding any giveaways, with Minot State turning that takeaway into seven points.

MSU also had an outstanding day offensively, racking up 525 total yards, with 399 on the ground and 126 through the air, all while averaging 8.3 yards per play and outgaining Winona State. Minot State converted 50 percent of third-down attempts on the day. The Beavers also went 2-for-3 on fourth down.

MSU’s defense held up against WSU’s offense, allowing 316 total yards. Although, the bulk of them came in the second half when the game felt already out of reach. MSU took care of business in the red zone, scoring five times on six trips inside WSU’s 20-yard line, with all those scores being touchdowns.

MSU put points on the board on eight different occasions on their way to scoring 56 points.

The Beavers got on the board first, taking the lead for good at 7-0 with 6:54 left in the first quarter. converted a 3-yard touchdown run to finish a 5-play, 69-yard scoring drive. The Beavers then rode that lead to victory, increasing their advantage by 49 points along the way. WSU gathered all their points in the second half, with eight coming in the third quarter and 15 in the fourth.

And just like that, 11 games have come and gone.

For anyone who has been around and seen this team in action long enough knows the magnitude of this seismic wave that was generated this season. It will certainly be one to remember.

Forget the wins and losses, so much has been achieved in the second year of head coach Ian Shields, which sets up promise down the line.

“I am excited to be here in the Magic City. Excited that you can feel it. It’s tangible, it’s real,” said Shields. “We’re building some special. The future is bright, and I am looking forward to more victories like today in the future.”

MSU football will be poised to build off these results in 2024.