MINOT, N.D. – A very productive day on the ground highlighted the Minot State Beavers win over Valley City State, as they kicked off the 2024 season at home on “Defend the Herb” night on August 29, 2024.
Minot Air Force Base, 5th Bomb Wing commander Jesse Lamarand provided a one of a kind game ball delivery to kick off the season!
The exciting start continued through as the Beavers jumped to an early 24-0 lead that would carry into the second half. Valley City State looked to turn the tide with complimentary football, with a stop on defense leading to their first touchdown drive early in the third quarter. But Minot State never wavered as they sealed the deal to get the win on Thursday night.
Head coach Ian Shields spoke on the culture and how strong a connection has been made with each of the players leading up to the opener and as a key to maintaining status quo near the end. “We’re a much tighter football team, much more unified,” Shields said. “To bond our team through training camp, I thought that was evident.” Once that was set in place, the next goal coach had in mind was getting that first win, which they achieved.
Evan Lovett and Carson Chrisman each broke the century mark on the ground to help Minot State cruise to a 38-7 win at home against Valley City State. They were part of a lethal ground and pound approach.
“That’s our identity offensively,” Shields reiterated. “We are not going to be an aerial circus…we are going to keep on getting better.” Coach gave a shoutout to the offensive line, coined by Jake Swirple as the “Minot Moving Company” as a big driving force in the success of the run game.
The victory improved Minot State’s record to 1-0 on the season while the Vikings fell to 0-1.
The Beavers got big days from Lovett, who racked up 139 yards and one touchdown, and Carson Chrisman who tacked on 133 yards and four touchdowns to lead the rushing attack.
Myzel Williams led the Minot State defensive effort, recording six tackles and one interception. Nalu Cordeiro added one interception in the win.
Minot State won the turnover battle, forcing two turnovers while coughing the ball up one time, with the Beavers turning those takeaways into 14 points. Along with getting after the ball, they recorded a powerful performance on the ground, logging 416 rushing yards while averaging 7.2 yards per carry and out-rushing Valley City State by 340 yards. The offense managed to prolong drives, converting on 50 percent of third-down attempts. The Beavers also went 2-for-2 on fourth down.
Defensively, Minot State held up well against the Valley City State offensive attack, holding the Vikings to 266 total yards. The Beavers defense disrupted the Valley City State passing attack on the way to recording two interceptions and breaking up four Vikings passes.
Minot State’s offense took advantage of its trips to the red zone, scoring on five of its five trips, with four of those scores being touchdowns.
How It Happened
Minot State grabbed a 3-0 lead over Valley City State after scoring the game’s first points with 9:05 left in the first quarter. The Beavers then extended their lead to 10-0 with another score.
Minot State continued to build its lead, scoring again with 2:28 remaining in the first quarter to go ahead 17-0. The Beavers kept on the gas pedal, scoring to go ahead 24-0.
Minot State got back on their groove after Valley City State made it a 24-7 game, scoring again with 13:39 left in the fourth quarter to make the score 31-7. For the cherry on top, the Beavers tacked on one last touchdown for good measure to extend their advantage to 38-7. Neither team scored again in the game.
