Area college football update: Can Beavers go 3-0?

• Bemidji State will be looking to improve to 3-0 against visiting Southwest Minnesota State. A Beavers victory would add luster to their Sept. 24 home game against defending Division II national champion Minnesota Duluth.

• The number of MIAC unbeatens will be reduced when St. Olaf (2-0) visits St. Thomas (2-0). The only other MIAC unbeatens during nonconference play: Concordia (Moorhead) and Bethel are both 2-0, and Augsburg is 1-0.

• Will St. John's rebound from a 47-19 loss to Wisconsin-Eau Claire? The Johnnies trailed 31-0 at the half, and the 47 points are the second-most at home ever surrendered in John Gagliardi's 59 years at the school. Tough league opener at Concordia (Moorhead).

• Winona State starting quarterback John Teigland is fighting a back injury and is questionable for Saturday's NSIC clash against No. 9 St. Cloud State (2-0). Bryan Bradshaw relieved Teigland early last Saturday and completed 10 of 13 passes in last week's 48-10 victory over Minnesota State-Moorhead.

• UMD puts its 32-game NSIC winning streak on the line at Wayne State (Neb.). The Bulldogs are 10-0 all-time against the Wildcats.

32 Consecutive PATs by St. Thomas kicker Tim Albright.

250 Average total yards per game yielded by Minnesota State Mankato -- tops in the NSIC.

12 Receivers catching passes by Southwest Minnesota State's Tyler Peschong in last week's 48-45 victory over Mary. Peschong passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more.

15 Career TDs of at least 23 yards by Concordia (St. Paul) senior Charles Gilbert -- 13 receptions, two kickoffs.

DENNIS BRACKIN

The senior is playing college football for the first time after four seasons as a 6-1 guard on the basketball team. Saturday in a 36-26 loss to Westminster (Mo.), Lecheler had two kickoff returns for touchdowns, of 84 and 90 yards, and also caught an 11-yard scoring pass. He accumulated 256 all-purpose yards.

The former New Prague standout intercepted two passes -- both of which led to touchdowns -- and had nine tackles, 2 1/2 for loss, as the Huskies recorded a 41-13 victory over Concordia (St. Paul). The senior captain had four sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries a year ago.