The last time Upper Iowa and Bemidji State met was in 2007, a season after the Beavers won their first conference championship in 47 years. Saturday afternoon, Upper Iowa travelled to Bemidji, Minn. for the first time since transitioning to NCAA Division II and was greeted by a team that very closely resembled a conference championship caliber team as the Beavers made short work of the Peacocks, winning the contest, 51-12.
The Beavers jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead on the first possession of the contest but quickly added to their lead after a UIU punt to make the score 10-0 in favor of the home team. Then after two consecutive three-and-outs for Upper Iowa, the Beavers intercepted a Ben Curran pass and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown and advance their lead to 17-0 after one quarter of play.
The offensive woes continued for Upper Iowa in the second quarter as Bemidji State tacked on another 14 points to send the squads to the halftime break with a 31-0 advantage. Bemidji State held UIU to just 42 yards at halftime while gaining 261 yards of their own. The Beavers also dominated time of possesion as they held the ball for 19:26 of the 30 first half minutes.
Bemidji State made their lead 38-0 out of the halftime break before Upper Iowa finally broke through and put points on the board. Ben Curran found Zach Schaeffer streaking towards the end zone to cap off a three play, 69-yard drive and cut into BSU's lead, 38-6 after the blocked P.A.T.
The hope of a comeback was short lived as the Beavers upped their lead to 45-6 in the first thirty seconds of the fourth quarter and tacked on six more points one possession later to give BSU a 51-6 heading into the final minutes of action. Upper Iowa's Kirby Hovden completed a final second 10-yard touchdown pass to make the final score 51-12 in favor of the home team.
Upper Iowa was outgained 471-223 which included a 281-139 margin in the rushing game. Tony Leggett and Casey Popenfoose led the Peacock defense with 14 tackles each. Defensive back Craig Henry made 8 stops and picked off two Beaver passes.
The Peacocks return home next Saturday for a Homecoming showdown with the Golden Eagles of UM, Crookston. Kickoff at Eb Eischeid Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
