In the fall of 1926, R.E. Mendenhall organized the College’s first football team. Considering that there were only 26 men enrolled, this was no small accomplishment. The school played four games that fall, one each against high schools at Deer River and Thief River Falls, and two with Cass Lake High School. Bemidji won one, lot two, and tied one. After their first fame and first loss to Cass Lake, 33-0, the local newspaper felt that “The Peds,” as the town papers nicknamed the athletic teams, had done very well considering the male personnel available. The second meeting against Cass Lake on Oct. 27, 1926, found the Peds winning their first game 13-0, and it was the first football game played on the college Field by the lake near Diamond Point Park.