Aug. 11, 2009

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Bemidji State University football team was picked ninth in the 2009 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches' Poll announced today by league officials. In addition, BSU senior linebacker Jake Anderson (Karlstad, Minn.) and junior signal caller Derek Edholm (QB, Anoka, Minn.) were recognized as preseason players to watch.

Defending NCAA Division II National Champion University of Minnesota Duluth was selected first overall collecting nine of 14 first-place votes and 165 points. UMD was also tabbed as the preseason favorite in the North Division, while 2008 NCAA Playoff participant Minnesota State University, Mankato pulled down five first place votes and was predicted to finish second overall with 159 points, while earning top billing in the South Division.

The Beavers, who call the North Division home, were selected fourth in the division (22) behind UMD (36), St. Cloud State University (31) and University of Mary (25). Northern State University (13) and Minnesota State University Moorhead (13) tied for fifth and University of Minnesota, Crookston (7) rounded out the northern divisional rankings in seventh.

In addition to the preseason rankings, league coaches also submitted votes for several individual awards. UMD running back Isaac Odim was selected North Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and UMD linebacker Robbie Aurich garnered the North Division's top preseason defensive honors. Silas Fluellen, quarterback for Wayne State College, pulled down the NSIC South Preseason Offensive Player of the Year laurels for the second consecutive season and Minnesota State defensive back Kelvin Rodgers was tabbed preseason defensive player of the year for the southern division.

Bemidji State student-athletes, Edholm and Anderson were each recognized as 2009 NSIC Preseason Players to Watch.

Edholm matured into one of the league's finest quarterbacks in 2008. Not only did the Second-Team All-NSIC pick increase his production in each start, the sophomore became more efficient. Edholm finished the year completing 193-of-296 passes with just five interceptions to set a new standard for single-season completion percentage mark at BSU (.652). In all, he threw for 2,136 yards and 17 touchdowns with another gained with his feet.

Anderson, Bemidji State’s defensive captain for 2009, enters his senior campaign after a 2008 season during which he became a pillar in the middle in Beavers' Gang Green defense. He led the team with 70 tackles (32 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks a year ago, while ranking second on the team with three interceptions. He completed 2008 ranked 16th in the league in total tackles, eighth in tackles for loss and his three forced fumbles was good for third. For his efforts he was rewarded with a Second-Team All-NSIC selection.

Under the direction of head coach Jeff Tesch, who is in his 14th year at the helm of the BSU football program, the Beavers are set to officially open the 2009 season Aug. 27 when the Beavers host Minot State University in the 12th Annual Beaver Bash. Opening kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. under the lights at Chet Anderson Stadium.

2009 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Football Coaches' Preseason Poll

1. Minnesota Duluth (9) - 165
2. Minnesota State (5) - 159
3. Augustana - 135
t4. St. Cloud State - 129
t4. Wayne State - 129
6. Winona State - 114
7. Southwest Minnesota State - 86
8. U-Mary - 79
9. Bemidji State - 77
10. Concordia-St. Paul - 71
11. Northern State - 43
12. MSU Moorhead - 37
13. Upper Iowa - 36
14. Minnesota, Crookston - 14

First place votes in ()

-bsu-