MSU college football careers come to a close for two local athletes

By Caroline Downs

For most students at Minot State University, the end of the fall semester this week means final exams.

For KHS graduates Blaine King and Mat Jensen, it also means the completion of their football careers with the MSU Beavers. For both young men, that commitment to the football team involved additional obstacles that tested their desire and ability to play the game.

Mat Jensen
Jensen, the son of Mark and Jody Jensen, is earning a double major in finance and management, and will graduate in May 2007. He was recruited for the MSU team after high school, and was happy to play college football so close to home. "I knew a lot of the Kenmare people would come and watch," he said. "Between Blaine and me, we had quite a few fans!"

He was redshirted his first year at MSU. "I needed to get stronger," he said about the decision, "and get more knowledge of the game."

Jensen started out as a quarterback, but a shoulder injury during spring practice led him to refocus his efforts as a wide receiver. His strongest numbers on the field came during the 2005 season, when he had 22 receptions for 237 yards and 1 touchdown.

As a senior, he posted 7 receptions for 117 yards, including a 43-yard reception against Rocky Mountain College in the season opener on September 2nd.

He always enjoyed the games played against former conference rival University of Mary. "We beat them for Homecoming last year [in 2005]," he said. With that win, the Beavers had the last say in the rivalry, because the University of Mary moved to Division II play in 2006.

In 2005, Jensen was recognized as an Academic All-American, evidence of his commitment to both classes and athletics. He has set a goal to repeat the honor this year. "I’m in the ball park," he said.

He excelled under the demands and challenges of college sports, including playing under former MSU head coach Mike Sivertson. "He always told you exactly what was on his mind," Jensen said. "He always set you straight."

Sivertson described Jensen as a player with a passion for the game. "He was one of the smarter kids I’ve ever coached," Sivertson said. "And he made a year-round commitment with all the things he had to do [to play at the college level]."

He praised Jensen’s intellect, work ethic and heart. "Mat was a great teammate and mentor, which is a great skill and of great value to the rest of the players," he said. "He’s an example of what it takes to be a successful student athlete."

A snowmobile accident during the Spring 2005 semester cost Jensen his spleen and one kidney, but he worked hard to heal so he could continue to play football. "I didn’t want to quit playing the game," he said. "I like the team aspect. And it was a good way to meet friends at Minot, friends [I’ll have] for the rest of my life."

His efforts to recover were noted by the coaching staff. "We’re fortunate to have Mat with us [after the accident], let alone that he would come out and play college football," Sivertson said. "After the accident, he was never the player he had been before, but he fought through and competed and battled."

Jensen was modest about his own dedication to the game, but he described his teammates as hardworking. "We didn’t end up with the best record," he said, "but we practice hard, and the work ethic is always high."

Blaine King
King, the son of Kevin and Tahnee King and Becky and Jan Kostad, is a corporate fitness major also planning to graduate in May 2007. He played defensive end, as well as on the kickoff and kick return teams where he managed to block 2 field goals and 1 punt this season.

He spread his playing time over six years because of injuries and surgeries. He started as a redshirted freshman, after having operations for ACL problems with both knees after high school. At the end of the 2004 season, his left ACL went out again and he sat out the 2005 schedule, rehabilitating his new knee ligament and preparing for his senior year. "I spent long hours in weight rooms, training rooms and rehab centers," he said.

His work over the years became evident with his stats. In 2002, he logged 39 tackles. The next year, he had 14, with 3 tackles for a loss of 41 yards, 1 interception, and 2 sacks for 24 yards.

By 2004, King was a force on the field. He made 25 unassisted and 20 assisted tackles, including 13 tackles for a loss of 53 yards and 7 sacks for 41 yards. He also picked up 2 fumble recoveries.

He was named the NAIA National Player of the Week following the Beavers Homecoming game that year, with 4 sacks in the game and a handful of tackles for loss.

"That game was my breakout game," he said. "We won 15-7 against Dakota State. I just got on fire. Nobody ever expected that."

King credited the coaching staff with his motivation for that game. "Coach Sivertson said we didn’t have any big name players on the team," he said, "and Coach Randy Nelson told me to see if I could hammer somebody!"

The injury to his knee at the close of his junior season could have ended his college career, but King wasn’t ready to give up football. "I didn’t want to be labelled as a quitter," he said. "Football is always something I loved to do and that motivated me."

He claimed football was his only successful endeavor in high school. He wasn’t even sure what to do with his future until the coaches from MSU came calling. "People saw what I could do on the field," he said.

With three college seasons behind him, he had a clear vision of what he had to do to return to the field after surgery on his left knee. "I expected a lot out of myself," he said. "I did what it took to play at that high of a level."

That included working with trainer Gene Crabtree. "I told him, ‘I want to do this,’ and he’d tell me what to do," King said. "I’d do it and come back for more."

He described himself as a stronger athlete after the year of rehab, and came back to make 39 tackles this season, 24 of which were unassisted. He also had 15.5 tackles for a loss of 54.5 yards and 5 sacks for 40 yards.

One of his favorite games of the season came against Jamestown, where he posted 3 sacks, 7 or 8 tackles for loss and blocked a field goal. The Beavers lost 0-3, but King took pride in the defense and talked about the fun he had singling out a four-year starter from Georgia on the Jamestown squad.

"I used his face for the background on my computer that week," King said. "I had him to keep my bullseye and made him look foolish that game!"

He also thrived on the rivalries against the University of Mary and Dickinson State teams, and praised his teammates for keeping their focus during a frustrating season this year. "We started 0-3, but battled back and still had a chance to win the conference," he said. "We were in the conference race even at Jamestown, which was game nine of the season. They went to the playoffs but only beat us 3-0."

Coach Sivertson laughed as he talked about spending six years with King. "It’s been quite an experience," he said. "He came with pretty good ability, then he had that great junior year until he was injured in the final game."

He compared King to the "Energizer Bunny" used in television ads for batteries. "He played with tremendous passion, and the tempo he can play at!" Sivertson laughed again. "I don’t know if the kid ever gets tired."

He described King as one of the dominating players in the league, even after his surgery and recovery. "He came back this year and was awesome," Sivertson said. "We’re proud of what Blaine became as a football player and as a person."

King said he enjoyed the peaks and the valleys he experienced with the Beavers, who rode the top of the conference just a few years ago. "You learn a lot from going from the top to the bottom," he said. "You learn a lot about character. It’s more about actions than it is about words."

Coach Sivertson certainly recognized character traits he liked in King. "He brought a unique flavor and approach to the game," Sivertson said. "He played it like he was a kid and having a great time out there!"

King encouraged current Kenmare athletes to think about moving to the college level at MSU. "It’s close to hand," he said. "Family and friends could come watch the games. I love this area and would encourage more local kids to come to Minot and give it a shot."

Sivertson, who recently resigned his position at MSU, said he took pride in coaching both King and Jensen. "It’s been a privilege and honor to work with those kids," he said. "They made a commitment to do it, and do it well."

With graduation only a few months away, both young men are uncertain about the direction their chosen fields will take them. However, they agreed they would continue their loyalty to the MSU football program.

Jensen, who is looking into internships for next semester, vowed to continue his support of the team from the stands. "I’m going to come back and watch games next year," he said, "especially the Homecoming game."

King was still debating his post-graduation options, as well as his future in football. "There will always be a special place for Minot State in my heart," he said. "I know I’ll check the teams and see how they’re doing. I’ll back them 100 percent!"