Warriors begin defense of conference crown

The Winonan

September 19, 2001

Warriors begin defense of conference crown
Winonan staff

BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University football team had been waiting for this game for three years. After Saturday’s 41-35 loss to Winona State University, the Beavers will soon forget it.

The Warriors handed BSU it’s first loss of the year, and in doing so, began it’s Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title defense.

The Beavers (0-1 NSIC, 2-1 overall) made a valiant fourth-quarter comeback, scoring 21 points, but Kevin Curtin’s 44-yard touchdown scamper gave WSU a 13-point lead with two minutes left.

Curtin led the Warriors (1-0, 2-1) with 167 yards on 19 carries.

Quarterback Andy Nett, who completed 20 of 29 passes for 257 yards, hooked up with Jeff Dobbertin, Adam Lilla and Alan Hartung for scores. Ryan Walch also found the end zone for the WSU.

Steve Opgenorth kicked a 41-yard field goal to give the Warriors a 27-14 lead going into halftime.

The Beavers did have stellar offensive day, led by running back Eddie Acosta, who finished the game with 199 yards and three touchdowns. Acosta ran 79 yards for a score on BSU’s second play from scrimmage.

Geoff Martinson racked up 291 yards through the air on 22 of 34 passing with a pair of touchdowns for the Beavers. Martinson and Acosta helped BSU put up 485 total yards, five more than WSU.