Oct. 3—BEMIDJI — Throwing the ball has been a struggle for the Bemidji State football team this season. But if redshirt freshman Bart McAninch keeps improving, the problem could be solved.
McAninch, who made his first collegiate start against Minot State last week, had the best day over the air for a Beavers QB this season. He ended the game 21 for 29 for 196 yards and a touchdown.
It was only the third time in five games that a Bemidji State quarterback threw for over 100 yards this season. He also ran four times for 52 yards.
“Bart was playing a really good game,” head coach Brent Bolte said after last week’s matchup. “He’s gonna be a very, very good player for many years here.”
While McAninch was mostly accurate, he still had some rookie mistakes, particularly with turnovers. A fumble at the goal line cost Bemidji State points to close the first half, and two costly interceptions in the final two minutes iced the 28-21 loss for BSU.
“He had two that got away that he was late with, probably more so than anything else,” Bolte said of McAninch’s two interceptions. “But that’s part of the process. He’s got a bright future.”
Despite the mistakes, it was a refreshing performance from the QB position that has seen inconsistency through the first four games.
BSU went into its first game against Michigan Tech with a two-quarterback plan, with redshirt junior Zach Romak and Swiss Army Knife redshirt sophomore Connor Carver.
Carver ran all over the Huskies, especially in the first half. He ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns, but went 5 for 11 for only 38 yards over the air. Romak came in sparingly for the Beavers against Michigan Tech, going 7 for 15 for 57 yards in the 37-17 loss.
From there, the quarterback plan somewhat changed from game to game. Carver received all the playing time in the Beavers’ 21-17 loss to Winona State, running for 123 yards and passing for 125 yards and a touchdown, completing 54% of his passes.
Carver started both games against Sioux Falls and Augustana, but they were both blowouts. In two games, he was 9 for 18 for 93 yards and a touchdown, and he only ran for five yards. Romak relieved him in both games, going 8 for 16 for 93 yards against Sioux Falls and 1 for 8 for 20 yards against Augustana.
McAninch earned the starting role when he was under center during the second half against the Vikings. He went 13 for 23 for 157 yards and a touchdown, a performance that caught the eye of the BSU coaches.
“I think Bart McAninch got a spark,” Bolte said after the game against Augustana. “I thought he competed. I thought the guys trusted him. So he’ll get an opportunity … to lead the group.”
McAninch will be back under center against Northern State this Saturday for homecoming. The Wolves have started the season 3-1 on the back of a balanced rushing attack, averaging 223.5 rushing yards per game.
Carver was used in multiple positions against Minot State, so Northern State will have to look out for where he’s lined up, whether it’ll be at QB, running back, wide receiver or elsewhere.
