Submitted Photo Minot State true freshman Myles West runs with the ball during the Beavers’ 17-10 win over Concordia, St. Paul on Saturday. West ran in the game-winning touchdown and had his first career 100-plus yard rushing game. Photo by Sean Arbaut.

Minot State put together a 10-play, 61-yard drive, culminating in a two-yard rushing touchdown with 2:51 remaining in the ballgame to give the Beavers a 17-10 win over Concordia, St. Paul on Saturday afternoon at First Western Bank Field at Herb Parker Stadium in NSIC action. 

“It is emotional, for all our our players, our coaching staff, all the families involved, everyone attached to our program,” first-year Minot State coach Ian Shields said of the team’s first win. “We’ve been working really hard since this summer frankly; we’re on the right track.”

The Beavers improved to 1-6 on the year and 1-6 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, while the Golden Bears fell to 2-5 and 1-5. .

Myles West totaled 125 yards to lead the Beavers’ ground attack and added one touchdown in the game, picking up 4.6 yards per carry along the way. The 100-yard performance was the first of the true freshman’s collegiate career. Erik Palmquist also tacked on 75 yards on the ground, picking up 6.2 yards per carry. Dondrae Fair chipped in with 63 yards and one touchdown as well, picking up 6.3 yards per carry. 

Fair’s most prolific target in the ballgame was Daniel Stokes, who caught one pass for 36 yards. 

Carson Cayko led the Minot State defensive effort, collecting nine tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Matt Posas added one interception and Philip Green had one recovered fumble in the win. 

The Beavers won the turnover battle in Saturday’s game, forcing two turnovers while coughing the ball up one time, with Minot State turning those takeaways into seven points. Minot State put together a strong performance on the ground, racking up 258 rushing yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry and out-rushing Concordia, St. Paul by 214 yards. 

“Today was by no means easy, it was back and forth down to the last play, but we persevered, and we’re growing,” said Shields.

Defensively, Minot State did an impressive job limiting the Concordia, St. Paul offensive attack, holding the Golden Bears to 179 total yards. The Beavers kept Concordia, St. Paul under 150 yards on both the ground and through the air, allowing 135 passing and 44 rushing yards. 

Up next for the Beavers is a Saturday, Oct. 21 matchup against Minnesota-Duluth, at Herb Parker Stadium. The Beavers will honor the senior members of the football team, in what will be the final home of the season for Minot State.