Beavers prepare for 100th season as they return to training camp

Aug. 5—BEMIDJI — As Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back in Town" blared over the speakers at Chet Anderson Stadium, the Bemidji State football team started to wind down Wednesday's practice after an intense scrimmage between the offense and defense.

While the Beavers' practice playlist is a mix of hard rock and rap, this particular song was unintentionally fitting. Between the hits, the jump cuts, the trash talking — the high-intensity practice truly welcomed back the Beavers as they returned to training camp this week.

Many have been looking forward to this time of year since they walked off the field on Nov. 15, the last game of the 2025 season.

A 34-21 win over U-Mary

finished the season at a disappointing 4-7, but ever since then, head coach Brent Bolte has been itching to wipe the slate clean and get back to work with his players.

"Basically as soon as the season was over, we went at it," he said. "These kids have done more reps and captain's practices than you can possibly imagine. They've bought in. ... We're not talking about (last year) anymore; we're talking about the day-by-day process.

"So it's improving with each rep, and our kids are buying back into it."

Bemidji State is ranked seventh out of 14 teams in the NSIC preseason poll. With that being said, the team is aware of what they have to improve upon in the upcoming 2026 season.

The offense didn't find a rhythm until halfway through the season, when quarterback Bart McAninch took over as starter. With a stacked QB room that includes McAninch, Augustana transfer Mack Molander and wild card Connor Carver, BSU hopes to continue the good mojo it found near the end of last season with the trio of possible starters.

Meanwhile, the Beavers defense struggled against some of the best offenses the NSIC has to offer in 2025. They allowed more than 40 points in blowouts to

Sioux Falls,

Augustana

and

MSU Moorhead,

leaving a bad taste in the mouths of some key players like defensive back L'Shawn Taylor.

While youth and inexperience saddled some position groups on defense, Bolte emphasised in the offseason that the defense has to

get back to BSU's standards.

With many players coming back with a year of experience under their belt, leaders like Taylor have seen confidence skyrocket on that side of the ball.

"We're very confident," Taylor said. "I think you're older, you're wiser, you're stronger, so those are the things that it's gonna come down to. We got leadership — not just the captains, but I think across the whole defense, starters, second string. We got a lot of leaders, a lot of vocal people that are preaching the right things, doing things the right way."

With so many leaders, it was hard for players to narrow down the captains to just four. But the Beavers voted on some notable standouts to lead them through the 2026 season.

Familiar faces named captain

Just before training camp commenced on Monday, BSU announced that offensive lineman Zach Ott and defensive back Caden Bolte will wear the "C" for the upcoming season along with Carver and Taylor.

"It's probably the most clear-cut four that you could probably ever get," Coach Bolte said. "They probably got 85% of the vote of the team, which is very unique, especially when you allow them to vote for four, so it's cool."

Taylor, Carver and the rest of the captains were honored to be chosen by their teammates, but the "C" on their chest won't change much about their attitudes on the field and their relationships with their teammates.

"There's a lot of voices, a lot of great teammates in general," Carver explained. "I didn't really feel anything different. They're all my friends, I just didn't really think much of it — until I got nominated."

Ott is the eldest Beaver on the roster. A sixth-year player out of Mason City, Iowa, he was also the captain last season, playing 10 games in the trenches before getting injured against Minnesota Duluth. His experience will prove crucial for an offense aiming for more consistency.

Carver proved his leadership ability last season after playing nearly every offensive position outside of o-line. No matter what role the Beavers needed, he filled it to the best of his ability, which inspired some of his teammates.

"I think Carver was viewed as a captain of the team last year in terms of his work ethic, his demeanor," Bolte said. "So I think it was just a natural evolution for him"

Taylor, a redshirt junior out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, started all 11 games in 2025 and recorded 50 tackles, the third most on the team. With a good amount of experience under his belt, he looks to continue the progress young defensive players made last year into this season.

"It's just great to be a captain around the guys," Taylor said. "It's not really a hierarchy, but it's more of a service-making, in my opinion."

Caden Bolte, son of the head coach, decided to come back for his redshirt senior season. He led the team in total tackles last season with 65, and also recorded a forced fumble and recovery, an interception and a safety. An all-conference player last year, he was named Bemidji State's defensive player to watch by the NSIC.

"It's awesome playing across from him, being the other safety — my other half," Taylor said with a laugh. "He just does things the right way, easy to follow him. He's a stud, great athlete."

100th season

The Beavers' social media accounts have been ramping up for the team's celebration of its 100th season. Special events, returning alumni and even an anniversary logo designed by former kicker Connor Mantelli are a taste of what's in store for the upcoming season.

For some current players, it's hard to fathom...

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