Western season ends against Bemidji State

The Western Colorado University football squad fell to the Bemidji State Beavers in a heartbreaking, final stand on Nov. 30.

After defeating rival Colorado School of Mines in the regular season, and earning redemption over Central Washington University in the first round of the playoffs, Western’s vendetta ride ended at the hands of the Beavers. Bemidji State University, located in northern Minnesota, felt at home in the frigid temperatures of the Mountaineer Bowl on Saturday. The Beavers upset Western 20-19 in the second round of the NCAA DII playoffs.

The loss eliminated the Mountaineers from postseason play, and concluded the team's 2024 campaign with an overall record of 11-2.

The Beavers headed into the second round duel with a fiery momentum, coming off an upset victory over No. 15 Angelo State University in the opening round. The No. 10 Mountaineers also steamed ahead. Western took down familiar foe Central Washington University on Nov. 23 — the same team that eliminated Western in the first round last year.

On Saturday, the Mountaineers took the field in single-digit temperatures, with feet of snow piled up around Mojo Field. The Crimson and Slate started steady, earning a 12-yard field goal from Adam Tasei on the opening drive. But the Beavers turned the tide immediately, and answered with a passing touchdown to lead 7-3 into the second quarter.

The Mountaineers piled on the pressure deep in the half. Redshirt freshman defensive back Jevon Young intercepted the Beavers quarterback, leading to a fruitful Western drive. Quarterback Drew Nash polished off the onslaught with a 1-yard touchdown dive into the end zone, and the Crimson and Slate defense returned with a fury. Redshirt sophomore Blake Nieslanik smothered the Beaver quarterback in the end zone for a Western safety. The lead shifted, 12-7 for the Mountaineers at half time.

Late in the third quarter, the Western offense distanced itself from the visiting Beavers. Nash broke free from the pocket, and sprang down the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown run. Still, the Bemidji State offense clipped along, and the Beavers scored after an 80-yard drive.

Leading 19-14, the Mountaineers drove confidently into Beaver territory. On the 25-yard line, backup quarterback Josiah Roy danced into the end zone, but it was called back for an illegal block in the back. With six minutes remaining in the fourth, Roy again kept the ball, and darted into the scrum.

However, Bemidji’s Stephen Hoffman lunged into the quarterback, and knocked the ball loose with his helmet. Beaver defensive back Gabe Ward scooped up the fumble, and ran 75 yards to the house. The turnover touchdown gave Bemidji State a 20-19 lead.

The Mountaineer offense returned to the field, but was stunted in back-to-back drives by the Green and White. It ended as a 1-point loss at the Mountaineer Bowl. The win advanced Bemidji State to the quarterfinal against Minnesota State.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)