The Small male population at Bemidji State kept dropping during World War II so that by the fall of 1944, only 18 men remained on campus. Despite this fact, Bemidji became the only State College to continue football without interruption throughout the war years. Indeed, the 1944 team had an undefeated season, although reportedly Coach “Jolly” Erickson had to round up some townspeople to fill in occasional on the day of the games. They played four games, home and away contests, with Eau Claire and Concordia, Moorhead.