Beaver Power: Four Standouts Clinch Spots on D2Football Elite 100 Roster!

BEMIDJI, Minn. – D2Football.com declared the inclusion of four Beavers to this season’s D2Football Elite 100 Team, featuring Jake Gannon, Brice Peters, Stephen Hoffman, and Marcus Hansen.  
 
The D2Football.com Elite 100 Team was determined by the D2Football.com staff with contributions from various head coaches currently in position, along with seasoned football scouting expert Josh Buchanan. The squad comprises first and second team choices for offense, defense, and special teams, along with 25 “Squad” players for both offense and defense. Squad players equate to “honorable mention” selections in comparable national accolade listings. Additionally, D2Football announces key honors for offensive and defensive players of the year, along with coach and coordinators of the year.
 
Gannon, a graduate student hailing from Franklin, Wis., participated in all 14 matches for the Beavers this season as the primary center and secured a D2Football Elite 100 First Team Offense recognition. Serving as a team captain, Gannon was included in the D2Football.com Elite 100 Preseason Watch List’s Second Team Offense prior to the commencement of the season. After the season, he was honored with selections to the All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference First Team Offense and Academic Team of Excellence, D2CCA All-Super Region 4 First Team, D2CCA All-American Second Team, AP All-American First Team, and was a finalist for the 2024 Gene Upshaw Award, which is awarded to the top lineman in NCAA Division II football.
 
As a center, Gannon aided Beaver runners in achieving a total of 2515 rushing yards this season, which resulted in 23 touchdowns and an average of 179.6 rushing yards per match. Bemidji State’s offense ranked within the top 50 of all NCAA Division II programs for 3^rd down conversions (47^th), 4^th down conversions (22^nd), completion percentage (48^th), first downs (14^th), rushing offense (27^th), sacks permitted (29^th), tackles for loss permitted (17^th), time of possession (25^th), and winning percentage (35^th). Gannon’s blocking support enabled sophomore running back Jayden Washington to surpass 1,000 career rushing yards in merely his second season (1034). The Beaver offensive line also supported quarterback Sam McGath to rank 18^th in the nation for passing touchdowns and 14^th for points accountable for. BSU allowed an average of 1.21 sacks per game and 4.29 tackles for a loss per game.
 
Bubba Peters recorded a career-high season in his final year with the Beavers, achieving a D2Football Elite 100 Squad Offense accolade. At the conclusion of the season, he received his first All-Super Region Four Second Team selection, an All-NSIC First Team nod, along with recognition on the Academic Team of Excellence, and was named to the AFCA’s All-American Second Team Offense, marking his first All-American acknowledgment in his career. Peters concluded the season with 1144 receiving yards from 68 receptions, accumulating 13 receiving touchdowns this season. The senior from White Bear Lake, Minn. maintained an average of 4.86 receptions per game, 81.71 receiving yards per game, and 16.82 per reception. He secured the leading position on the team with 78 points scored over 14 games this season.
 
Peters also entered the national rankings across various metrics. He ranked 6^th nationally for receiving touchdowns, 7^th for receiving yards, 23^rd for receiving yards per game, 47^th for receptions per game, 126^th in scoring, 55^th in total points scored, and 33^rd in total touchdowns. Peters led all BSU receivers in yards, average yards per reception, touchdowns, average yards per game, and achieved the longest reception of the season at 69 yards.
 
Two Beaver defenders, Stephen Hoffman and Marcus Hansen, were included on the Elite 100 list as part of the Squad Defense. Hoffman finished tied for third on the team in overall tackles, amassing a total of 63 with 24 solo and 39 assisted. He recorded 13.5 tackles for a loss of 60 yards and 8.5 sacks accumulating 49 sack yards. Furthermore, Hoffman proved to be a significant threat to opposing quarterbacks, breaking up two passes alongside 16 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. Hoffman concluded his final season ranked 46^th in NCAA for overall sacks and 104^th in tackles for loss. Prior to the season, he was included in the Elite 100 Preseason Watch List on the Squad Defense. After his impressive season, Hoffman was honored with a spot on the All-NSIC First Team, marking his third consecutive first team selection.
 
Assisting Hoffman in the Squad Defense, Marcus Hansen finalized his career with the Beavers in fourth position, attaining 61 total tackles. He led the program with 14.5 tackles for a loss measuring 68 yards and was second with 7.5 sacks totaling 46 yards. In a similar fashion to Hoffman, he broke up three passes with one forced fumble and recorded 18 quarterback hurries. Hansen also placed within the top 100 for sacks at 78^th and tackles for loss at 87^th. He was the sole BSU defender selected for the D2CCA All-Super Region Four Team, as well as receiving a Harlon Hill nomination, the preseason NSIC Defensive Player of the Year designation, and being named to the All-NSIC First Team.
 
The Beaver defensive line established itself as one of the finest within NCAA Division II this season, ranking in the top 50 across multiple categories. BSU held 46^th for 3^rd down conversion defense, 37^th for 4^th down conversion defense, 18^th for blocked punts, 36^th for fumbles recovered, 17^th for passing yards permitted, 24^th for red zone defense, 24^th in rushing defense, 22^nd for scoring defense, 18^th in passing efficiency defense, 19^th for sacks, 44^th for tackles for a loss, and 9^th in overall defense.
 
The Beavers achieved program history with their inaugural NCAA Division II Football Playoff Second Round victory over Western Colorado University, allowing them to progress to the NCAA Division II Championship Quarterfinals. The team contended against NSIC rival RV Minnesota State University Mankato in Mankato, Minn., ultimately losing 27-23 in the third round.
 
For further details regarding the Bemidji State Football program, tickets, or schedules, please visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversFB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers), and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).