Bill Ketola earns NSIC's Glen Galligan Award; 9 Beavers named All-NSIC

Nov. 21—BEMIDJI — Bemidji State redshirt senior offensive lineman Bill Ketola received the NSIC's Glen Galligan Award, given to players who have attended for four years and excelled academically.

Ketola, double-majoring in biology and Spanish, holds a 4.0 grade point average and has won multiple academic awards in his time at BSU.

His most notable achievement in his academic career was when he discovered and isolated a virus that can potentially be used to treat tuberculosis. In June, he presented his research to the American Society for Microbiology Conference in Los Angeles. He plans for his research to be published.

Ketola is the first BSU player to win the Glen Galligan Award since offensive lineman Jake Krause in 2017.

"Bill has done anything and everything the staff has asked of him," head coach Brent Bolte said in a release. "Spot starting when injuries occurred, backed up the Rimington Award winner for two years at center and now, as a senior, he is continuing to do whatever is needed positionally and leadership-wise to help this team win games."

Even with a disappointing 4-7 record, the Beavers had nine players named All-NSIC, the conference announced on Wednesday.

Defensive back Caden Bolte, offensive lineman Isaac Hagstrom, kicker/punter Connor Mantelli and defensive end Tyler Sapit were named to the first team. Center Clayton Birdsall, offensive lineman Conor Kovas, quarterback Connor Carver, linebacker Jacob Drietz and wide receiver Jake Hill were named to the second team.

Despite missing the last game due to injury, Bolte was the Beavers' leading tackler. He racked up 47 solo tackles, which was top 50 in the nation, and 18 assisted tackles, 65 in total.

The senior also recorded one interception, forced fumble and safety this season.

One of the Beavers' captains on the offensive line, Hagstrom helped BSU rank first in tackles for loss allowed in the NSIC, averaging 3.73 per game. That's also good for ninth in the nation.

Despite the rotating cast at quarterback, the Hagstrom helped the BSU offense rank top 100 nationally in completion percentage, passing efficiency, rushing yards and passing and rushing touchdowns.

One of the best kickers and punters in Division II, Mantelli was a rock for the Beavers' special teams. Mantelli was 5-for-7 on field goals, his longest being 40 yards.

As for punting, the redshirt senior averaged slightly over 40 yards per boot, with a long of 59. In his 42 punts on the season, 14 landed inside the 20-yard line.

In only his second full season with BSU, Spait led the Beavers' defensive ends in total tackles with 32, including 23 solo tackles. He also picked up 5.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.

The redshirt sophomore set a Bemidji State record for the largest tackle for loss against Minnesota Duluth, when he sacked QB Kyle Walljasper for 26 yards. The previous record was a 22-yard tackle for loss.