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BEMIDJI 鈥� The Bemidji State football team is in the midst of a historic season.

The Beavers have advanced to the NCAA DII Tournament quarterfinals for the first time ever after a Gabe Ward 79-yard fumble return for a touchdown, which gave them a 20-19 win over Western Colorado in the second round of the NCAA DII Tournament on Nov. 30.

One player who is a part of this historic run is Alexandria graduate Clayton Birdsall. The 6-foot 290-pound redshirt sophomore offensive lineman has worked himself into a unique spot in Bemidji鈥檚 offensive lineup.

Birdsall is a backup offensive line but also gets playing time as a tight end/fullback for the Beavers (10-3).

鈥淚t鈥檚 different, but it鈥檚 super fun,鈥� Birdsall said about the role he plays on the team. 鈥淚鈥檓 a center but also have stepped into a role as a tight end and fullback. It鈥檚 been a good change that I鈥檝e enjoyed.鈥�

Growing up, Birsdall mostly played on the offensive and defensive line. Birdsall and his family moved from Big Lake to Alexandria ahead of the 2020-21 school year.

. Now, he is maintaining a role as a reserve offensive lineman and becoming a fullback and tight end.

Birdsall has played in all 13 games for the Beavers this season.

Birdsall is officially listed as No. 64 on Bemidji State鈥檚 roster but wears No. 88 to be eligible in the offense.

He鈥檚 helped pave the way for a Bemidji State rushing attack that is 27th in the country in rushing yards per game (180.8).

Bemidji State is averaging 25.77 points per game this season and is holding opponents to 15.85 points per game.

Offensively, Bemidji State is averaging 359.5 yards per game.

The Beavers offensive line has done a good job of protecting the quarterback, as they鈥檝e only allowed 15 sacks in 13 games.

Birdsall spent his first two seasons playing strictly offensive line but began playing in his new roles for the Beavers during fall camp this season.

鈥淒uring fall camp, they talked about putting me in as tight end or full back in short yardage or goalline situations,鈥� Birdsall said. 鈥淥n the third play of the first game of the season , our starting fullback went down with an injury. It became my time to roll. On the sidelines, they鈥檝e been teaching me things and telling me what to do.鈥�

鈥淭here wasn鈥檛 too much of a transition. I鈥檓 kind of a glorified offensive lineman with how they play me. I鈥檓 in the backfield moving around and blocking linebackers.鈥�

Birsdall is also on the Beavers鈥� kick return team. In a game against Wayne State on Nov. 2, 2024, he had one kick return for 10 yards.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 a different role for me because I鈥檓 playing with a lot of skill guys,鈥� Birdsall said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 different but fun.鈥�

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Birdsall was recently one of 53 Bemidji State student-athletes to earn NSCI Fall Academic Team recognition for maintaining a GPA of 3.6 or higher.

Birdsall and the Beavers started their postseason with a 24-14 on the road over Angelo State on Nov. 23 in San Angelo, Texas.

The Beavers kept their positive momentum going with their 20-19 win over Western Colorado in Gunnison, Colorado.

鈥淭hat was a huge accomplishment,鈥� Birdsall said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been with a lot of these guys for a while now, and it鈥檚 fun to have this experience with them. This is what we鈥檝e worked for.鈥�

In the NCAA DII Tournament quarterfinals, Bemidji State takes on Minnesota State Mankato in Mankato at 2 p.m. on Saturday. This game is being live-streamed on ESPN+ and will be broadcast on 92.1 FM.

Minnesota State Mankato defeated Bemidji State with a last-second field goal, 31-29, on Sept. 7, 2024, in Mankato.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited for the opportunity to potentially make some more history,鈥� Birdsall said.

The winner of the Bemidji State versus Minnesota State Mankato plays either Ferris State or Harding in the semifinals on Dec. 14, 2024.

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