The only time that Bart McAninch has been the starting quarterback in a game played at Blakeslee Stadium, he led Mankato West to a 54-0 victory over Mankato East in the 2022 Jug game.
“It was a great atmosphere,” McAninch said this week. “The stands were packed, the student sections were going crazy.”
McAninch will again be the starting quarterback at Blakeslee Stadium on Saturday, this time as the visitor as his Bemidji State Beavers play Minnesota State in a Northern Sun Conference game. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
“I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought (about returning to Mankato),” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s just going to be a fun game, and I’m preparing to do the best I can.”
McAninch was a two-year starter at West, completing 327 of 508 passes for 4,458 yards and 49 touchdowns. The Scarlets were 20-3 in those two seasons.
McAninch narrowed his college choices to Bemidji State, Minnesota State at Pittsburg State, ultimately choosing the Beavers, his dad Ben’s alma mater.
After redshirting one season, staying at Bemidji when the Beavers played at Minnesota State in 2004, McAninch moved quickly up the depth chart, playing in six games last season and starting six. He completed 105 of 156 passes for 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
“His improvement has been night and day,” first-year offensive coordinator Jordan Hein said. “He’s a very smart, cerebral player, but his biggest jump is in the weight room. He’s been able to push the ball downfield and get after it.”
This season, McAninch has elevated to the starter, completing 18 of 33 passes for 341 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He also has a rushing touchdown, helping the Beavers split their first two games.
“There’s more to playing quarterback than just playing quarterback,” said Hein, a former quarterback at Bemidji State. “You have to know what’s going on with the receivers, with the offensive line, with the running backs. I challenged him to come out of his shell this year, and he’s done a great job.”
McAninch said he feels a lot more comfortable, now in his third season at Bemidji State.
“I’ve been working on the mental part of the game, reading defenses and seeing things more clearly,” he said. “I’m ready to take the next step and be the guy who takes command.”
McAninch will have some support at Blakeslee. His parents – Ben and Jill – still live in town. His brother Frankie is a backup linebacker at Bemidji State, having transferred after his redshirt season at North Dakota. The youngest brother Jack is a backup quarterback at West.
“It’s going to be pretty cool playing there,” he said. “(Minnesota State is) a great team, and it’s going to be a fun challenge. It’s going to be a great environment, and I’m looking forward to it.”