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MSU football picked to finish 14th in NSIC coaches poll

Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference coaches predicted Minot State football will finish 14th of 16 teams this season in the league’s preseason coaches poll released Monday.

The Beavers were awarded 51 points in the poll, ahead of the University of Mary (29) and Minnesota Crookston (17.) MSU was also picked to finish sixth (out of eight teams) in the NSIC North.

In a press release, the league issued a season outlook on the Beavers.

“Minot State embarks on a new era as head coach Mike Aldrich enters his first season with the Beavers this season. Aldrich is familiar with the NSIC after being named the 2016 AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year while at Southwest Minnesota State last season. The Beavers finished 3-8 in 2016, finishing tied for 11th overall and sixth in the North. Minot State needs to replace quarterback Isaiah Weed (transfer) from last season, who threw for 1,466 yards and six touchdowns.

The offense will look to receivers Lavante Bushnell, Ryan Fila and Ray Watkins for stability in the passing game as the trio finished second, third and fifth in catches in 2016. Bushnell leads the returners with 32 catches for 363 yards. On defense, the Beavers return three of its top four tackling leaders from last season, led by defensive back Donnell Vercher who finished with 95 tackles in 2016. Vercher also led the team with three interceptions. Bryce Broome finished third on the team in tackles with 78 and Titus Dixon was fourth at 62. Minot State will look to continue to limit the opponents in the passing game, as the Beavers finished first in the NSIC last season, allowing just 168.4 passing yards per game.”

Minnesota State Mankato was projected to win the conference with 213 points and four first-place votes, two ahead of projected NSIC North winner Minnesota Duluth (209 points, seven first-place votes).

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