Aug. 5, 2009

BEMIDJI, Minn. - Although the first days of August have just recently come off the 2009 calendar, the initial signs of fall have already begun to appear on the Bemidji State University campus. Today is check-in day for the BSU football program and as the team gears up for its fall training camp.

Close to 110 players are expected to report for fall drills today in preparation for a 2009 campaign that includes five home contests and features an October 24 tilt versus the defending NCAA Division II national champion University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at Chet Anderson Stadium.

Today has been set aside for players to move into their preseason housing, check out equipment, complete paperwork and meet as a team. Tomorrow (Aug. 6) the Beavers officially get practice underway with a helmets-only session at approximately 4 p.m. The session marks the first of their 21-practice camp, which includes leading up to the 7 p.m. non-conference home-opener Aug. 27 versus Minot State University.

BSU will break camp Aug. 22 and will return to its normal practice schedule Aug. 23.

Bemidji State, under the direction of Jeff Tesch, who begins his 14th season at the helm of the BSU football program, returns 18 starters and 39 letterwinners from a 2008 squad that posted a 5-6 overall record with a 4-6 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play to place eighth in the final league standings, while finishing third in the NSIC North Division.

Tesch groups check in day with national signing day as two of the most anticipated events of the football season.

"Reporting day is always one of the most exciting days of the year. You haven't seen the guys all summer and haven't seen some of the recruits since the middle of the winter, so it's good to get those guys back on campus."

The Beavers' all-time winningest head coach went on to talk about the approaching season with a distinct level of optimism.

"With such a large group of returners back with game experience and a schedule that is more in our favor we should be a better football team." He added, "Now you have to get some of the bounces to go your way and to stay healthy, but the good news is that we are a lot further along than we were a year ago."

--bsu--