After struggling in 2025, Beavers offense poised to improve with revamped position groups

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Aug. 8—BEMIDJI — By Week 6 of the 2025 Bemidji State football season, the Beavers finally found a winning recipe at the quarterback position.

For the first four weeks, the Beavers shifted between QBs Connor Carver and Zach Romak as starters. Carver's biggest weapon is his legs, and while he would be responsible for electric plays, he became ineffective as games went on, as defenses figured out how to contain him.

The Beavers didn't fare much better with Romak, who's more of a pocket passer. Drives routinely stalled with him under center, and his completion percentage rarely rose above 50%.

That's when BSU decided to turn to redshirt freshman Bart McAninch. After rookie mistakes cost him leading a game-winning drive in his first career start against Minot State, things turned around in Week 6 against Northern State.

McAninch appeared more comfortable in the pocket, and the Beavers secured their long-awaited first win of the season at homecoming, 24-21.

His numbers didn't jump off the paper — he went 12 for 17 with only 87 yards passing and an interception. But it was the way the team used Carver that really changed the Beaver offense.

Instead of being the main QB, Carver routinely popped in as a running back or as a wildcat QB. Two plays — a rushing touchdown and a 44-yard passing touchdown to Jake Hill — were the difference makers.

With McAninch running a more traditional offense and Carver coming in as a wild card, BSU went 4-2 and ended the season on a high note.

Now entering the 2026 season, Bemidji State's QB room has more options than ever before.

McAninch now has six collegiate starts under his belt, and the coaching staff believes he'll do nothing but improve. There's Carver, whose skill set is so vast that he'll be used at any position besides offensive line.

Then there's newcomer Mack Molander, a transfer from Augustana. The junior has only thrown

11 passes in his collegiate career,

but the coaching staff believes that he's another starting-capable QB that Bemidji State has to choose from.

With the additions of freshmen Sam Johnson and Louis Bucksa, it's led to a competitive and talented QB room.

"Our QB room is amazing. We might have the best room on the team, I would say, just personality-wise," Carver said. "With me, Mack and Bart in general, I think it's just super competitive, but a lot of minds mixing and helping each other all the time, pushing each other to do better."

Coaches have not decided who's going to be the starter on Aug. 27 for the season opener against Michigan Tech. Whoever it's going to be, they'll have some new faces to throw to.

BSU's top two receivers from 2025, Drayton Lehman and Jake Hill, have both graduated. Combined, they accounted for more than half of the team's total receiving yards and touchdowns.

Receivers who took on supporting roles last year will have their chance to shine this fall. Head coach Brent Bolte pointed to redshirt sophomore Lucas Peterson, redshirt junior Kaleb Miller and senior Zavery Guerra as ones to watch.

"All three of those guys are bringing a lot back for us," Bolte said. "Then we brought in a few guys — Tyree Lockett is a really good player, was a transfer (from Eastern Michigan) this summer. We also brought in, I think, some really talented freshmen that'll have a chance.

"So they're new, a lot of them, right? I think three or four guys that really have playing experience in the system. But overall, I think there's a pretty good group of solid guys."

All five players who finished top five in rushing for Bemidji State in 2025 are returning. QB Carver led the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, while redshirt junior Antonio Brown, redshirt sophomore Isaiah Tisdle, redshirt senior Jayden Washington and redshirt freshman Mitch Olson return to the running back room with experience. Each running back recorded 30 or more carries last season.

"(They run) in different ways, but bring a lot back to the table," Bolte said of the running backs. "So it's fun to be able to have that amount of depth."

Sixth-year senior Zach Ott returns to captain the young offensive line for the Beavers, a position they reloaded on in recruiting during the offseason. In that position group, there are 15 underclassmen on the roster compared to just six upperclassmen.

Tight end may be the youngest position group on the team. Nolan Verdi, Gavin Oelschlager and Jaxon Bartkowicz are all redshirt freshmen or younger. While tight ends rarely appeared on the scoresheet last season, their role will likely help the offensive line with blocking.

The same goes for fullbacks, of which Bemidji State has four on the roster. Redshirt juniors Eli Pfeiffer and Jadon Hellerud will likely lead that position group.

After it took a while for the Beaver offense to get going in 2025, players like Carver are as confident as ever that the offense will find success quickly this fall.

"I think we were trying to find spots for a lot of guys (last year)," Carver said. "We had a lot of athletes trying to fill holes — we had a lot of young guys. Those guys are developed now. I found a spot just all over the place. Bart's developing really well. Our running back room's insanely deep. Obviously, our offensive line's always amazing.

"So it's just finding and putting guys in the right spot, making sure we're making the right play calls, and (we'll be) just rolling."

The Beavers will open the season at home against Michigan Tech on Aug. 27 at Chet Anderson Stadium, with kickoff at 6 p.m.

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