Box Score

BEMIDJI, Minn. (Chet Anderson Stadium) -- The Bemidji State University football team won its first postseason game in program history Saturday afternoon, 36-23, against Washburn University. Junior quarterback Jordan Hein and senior defensive back Kameel Al-Khouri earned offensive and defensive Most Valuable Player honors while the Beavers (9-3) tied a program record in wins for a single season

After trailing Washburn 10-0 four minutes into the first quarter, the “Gang Green” defense buckled down to hold the Ichabods to just 13 points during the remainder of the game. Hein found junior wide receiver Blake Holder for a 55-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline for BSU’s opening score, coming early in the second quarter. Hein accounted for all five of BSU’s touchdowns, four coming through the air and all to different receivers.

Both teams turned the ball over four times, including two interceptions by each team in the first half. Al-Khouri grabbed his first pick on Washburn’s first drive of the day. He also ended an Ichabods drive late in the game with his final interception to essentially seal the win for Bemidji State.

Junior wide receiver Christian Lunde, senior wide receiver Juwaan Richard and senior fullback Blake Petrich were on the receiving end of Hein’s three second half touchdown passes. Senior running back Gena Adams rushed for 149 yards in the second half, including a 78 yard run to set up a field goal for the game’s final score with 5:19 to go in the game. Adams rushed 11 times for an average of 14.5 yards per carry.

The Beavers finished with 261 yards rushing and passing for 522 total yards against the Ichabods and allowed 353 yards on defense. Washburn hurt themselves throughout the game with personal foul penalties, totaling 14 penalties for 145 yards.

Bemidji State last won nine games in a single season in 2006, which was also the first and last time the Beavers qualified for a postseason game, the Mineral Water Bowl against Pittsburg State University. The only other instance of Bemidji State totaling nine wins in one season came in 2000