Bethel University Athletics

General Information:

School: Bethel University
Founded: 1947
Location: St. Paul, Minn.
Enrollment: 6,300 (2,900 undergrad)
President: Jay Barnes
Athletic Director: Bob Bjorklund
Team Nickname: Royals
Colors: Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Stadium: Royal Stadium
Capacity: 3,500
Press Box phone: 651.638.6116

2009 Record:

 

Returning Starters:

Offense: 9
Defense: 8

Key losses:

Key Returners:

 

Key Newcomers:

Davis Bates (WR, 6-0, 175, Fr.) - Oswego, Ill.
Mitch Hallstrom (DB, 6-1, 175, Fr.) - Eden Prairie, Minn.
J.D. Mehlhorn (DB, 6-1, 180, Fr.) - Lakeville, Minn.
Grant Mitchell (WR, 6-0, 180, Fr.) - Lakeville, Minn.
Derek Waldbilig (RB, 6-0, 210, So.) - Farmington, Minn.

 

Season Outlook:

In 2009, the Bethel Royals returned to their rightful place among the top three teams in the MIAC through their brand of unrelenting physical football. The Royals posted a 7-3 overall record (6-2 MIAC), and outscored opponents by an average of 14 points per game. A mix of young talent and veteran experience shape this year’s team as the Royals seek their fifth conference championship and first since 2007 when they advanced to the national semifinals.

Bethel will have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of key playmakers such as All-MIAC linebacker Nathan Voronyak, All-MIAC Second Team wide receiver Joel Quick, and All-MIAC Second Team defensive back Tim Cornish. Other losses are split on both sides of the ball as the Royals will be without AFCA Good Works Team member Reid Velo, an offensive jack-of-all-trades; Jared Lyle, another all-conference second team defensive player; Academic All-American defensive back David Benjamin; as well as fullback Dusty Wahl. However, with 17 starters returning, including each member of the offensive line, Head Coach Steve Johnson and his staff are excited about what the 2010 team can do.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks
In his second season under center, Josh Aakre (Jr., Dawson, Minn.) led MIAC starting quarterbacks in pass efficiency and increased his dual threat capabilities as a passer and rusher. Aakre threw for more than 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns and was also Bethel’s second leading rusher. Aakre is physical, aggressive, and is also smart with the football. The Royals will depend on his athleticism and leadership on offense. Alex Hinseth has put in time as an understudy and will back up Aakre.


Running Backs
Bethel has been known for their running game for years, thanks to the likes of three-time All-MIAC running back Logan Flannery (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.). Ever since he burst on to the scene as a freshman, Flannery has consistently given opposing defenses a tough time thanks to his ability to make defenders miss with his speed and footwork. Last season, Flannery went over the 1,000-yard mark for the third year in a row and needs just 40 more yards to move into second place on Bethel’s all-time rushing list. Flannery will be joined by other powerful runners, such as Kevin Lindh (So., Houston, Minn.), who is a human bowling ball at 5-7, 212 pounds, Kelson Carr (Jr., North Bend, Wash.), and newcomer Derek Waldbillig (So., Farmington, Minn.).

Wide Receivers
Joel Quick was a favorite target of Aakre because of his speed and athleticism. Now that he has graduated, a core of young receivers will be anxious to step in and get their hands on the ball. Last season, Jay Hilbrands (So., McCray, Minn.) caught 13 passes for 174 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown against Saint John’s. His 6-5, 210-pound frame gives him an edge on many defenders and his speed makes him hard to catch. Joining him will be Gabe Kleinschmidt (Jr., Hastings, Minn.), who was tough to tackle as Bethel’s second leading receiver last year. Hans Duininck (Jr., Tulsa, Okla.) is a great blocking receiver and looks to get more touches this year, as do a host of other returners, including Reese Walker (So., Maple Plain, Minn.) and Luke Duininck (Tulsa, Okla.). Newcomers Grant Mitchell (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) and Davis Bates (Fr., Oswego, Ill.) look to make an immediate impact as well.

Offensive Line
Bethel’s offensive front averaged 290 pounds and paved the way for an offense that finished near the top of the MIAC in total offense and scoring, and that allowed the second fewest sacks in the conference. Tackle Kyle Wahlund (Sr., Shoreview, Minn.) is the lone senior among four underclassmen who all started in 2009. Mitch Elliott (Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Kyle Boersma (Jr., Hospers, Iowa) both received awards from the conference for their play and will be anchors up front this season. They will be joined by Jared Penz (Jr., Rochester, Minn.), Josh Wolfe (So., Emmettsburg, Iowa) and Peter Mortenson (Jr., Spicer, Minn.) as the O-line will again look to create big holes for the running game and give Aakre time to throw for the passing game.

DEFENSE

Secondary
Last season, Bethel boasted the third-best pass defense, allowing the fewest yards per catch and lowest pass completion percentage. The Royals also recorded the most interceptions of any MIAC team during the regular season with 18. All-MIAC Second Team defensive players Tim Cornish and David Vavra (Jr., Cambridge, Minn.) accounted for 10 of those picks. With Cornish and Academic All-American David Benjamin gone, the Royals will look for increased help from Brendan Flaherty (Sr., Shoreview, Minn.), Mike Sedjo (Jr., West Chicago, Ill.), and Ethan Anderson (Jr., Mapleton, Minn.). Newcomers Mitch Hallstrom (Fr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) and J.D. Mehlhorn (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) will help immediately as well.

Inside Linebackers
One of the biggest additions to last year’s team was that of Ross Petterson (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.). Petterson led the team in tackles last season with 74, while also picking off two passes and breaking up six others. He earned All-MIAC Second Team honors for his efforts and will be joined by Billy Morgan (Jr., Rosemount, Minn.), who is also fast, physical, and aggressive. Morgan was the fifth-leading tackler on the team with 53, including a sack and a pass breakup.

Outside Linebackers
Despite the graduation of All-MIAC linebacker Nate Voronyak, Bethel returns All-MIAC Second Team defender Cory Svihla (Sr., Foley, Minn.) who had eight tackles for a loss, four sacks, an interception, as well as two fumble recoveries. Brett Skoog (So., Long Lake, Minn.), who was a Minnesota Mr. Football finalist in high school and saw a fair amount of playing time last season, will likely see his role increase this year, as will Peter Jacobson (So., Stillwater, Minn.) and Erik Smith (So., Henning, Minn.).

Defensive Line
Andrew Johnson (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) has already earned preseason accolades from D3football.com, and has been listed as a player to watch for the D3 Senior Classic football game. Last season he led the team in tackles for a loss with 13 and was second in the conference with 9.5 sacks. Trent Pearson (Sr., Shakopee, Minn.) will transition from inside linebacker to help bolster the defensive front, while Bucky Dixon (So., Hayward, Wis.), Jason Hofmeyer (Jr., Hospers, Iowa), Peter Sontag (Sr., Altoona, Wis.), and Brett Johnson (So., Arden Hills, Minn.) will all likely see playing time on the defensive line as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Matt Wetherell (Jr., Glen Ellyn, Ill.) helped Bethel defeat Hamline with a last-second field goal for the second year in a row by nailing a 40-yarder and sending the Bethel crowd into a frenzy. Wetherell also went 27-for-37 on point after attepts, and hit a career-long 42-yard field goal against Concordia-Wisconsin. The Royals will have to replace four-year punter Kevin Ness who boomed a 69-yarder against St. Thomas last year and also put 11 of his kicks inside the 20-yard line. Likely candidates for the punting job include Joe Graybill (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.) and Brandon Hershey (So., North Oaks, Minn.).