ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Defending NCAA Division III national champion Pacific Lutheran University began its run toward a repeat title with a dominating 41-13 victory over Bethel College in an opening-round national playoff game Saturday afternoon at Bethel's Armstrong Stadium.

With the win, Pacific Lutheran improves to 10-1 overall and advances to host its first-ever Division III national playoff game, against St. John's (Minn.), next Saturday (12/2) at 12 noon Pacific time at Sparks Stadium in Pyallup, Wash. Pacific Lutheran won all five of its playoff games on the road last season to claim its first Division III national championship.

"We really don't think about it (playing on the road). We actually think of the road as an advantage to us," said PLU quarterback Chad Johnson, who rushed for a touchdown and threw for 143 yards. "It's a chance for us to build our team together."

"It seems like apple pie in the sky, but it's not," said Johnson's grandfather, PLU coach Frosty Westering. "They bond together on the road. They love being with each other."

Bethel, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions, finishes its season 10-1.

Aaron Binger scored three touchdowns and rushed for 119 yards for the Lutes, as PLU rolled up 400 yards of total offense in the game to Bethel's 352.

Most of the yardage gains for both teams came in the second half, as the teams adjusted to cold weather (22 degrees at kickoff) and slippery, snowy field conditions on Bethel's home field. Bethel had 151 yards of total offense in the first half, while Pacific Lutheran gained just 176 yards.

"I grew up in the Cascades (Mountains), so I played in snow a few times, and I told everyone what it was like to play in the snow," said PLU wide receiver Kyle Brown, who caught seven passes for 94 yards to lead the Lute receivers. "But I've never played where it was snowy and icy like that, where you slip when you try to make a cut. But that's just another challenge, and we live on challenges."

PLU took advantage of its second-half drives, converting four times on fourth downs and scoring touchdowns on three of its five second-half drives. Each of those drives included a fourth-down conversion.

"We know in the clutch situations that someone will find a way," Johnson said. "That's the challenge we love. The difference between an excellent team and a great team can be just that much. It's a game of inches."

Bethel kept the game close, trailing just 21-13 going into the fourth quarter. But the Lutes exploded for 20 fourth-quarter points to seal the victory.

"If there was a disappointing thing in the game, it was that we didn't play as well as we could have," said Bethel coach Steve Johnson. "On defense, that would be tackling and on offense, that would be execution."

Midway through the fourth quarter, with the Royals trailing 28-13 and on the verge of scoring, the Lutes sealed the host's fate with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by Seth Berghoff. Berghoff stepped in front of a pass to the end zone by Bethel quarterback Scott Kirchoff, and he sprinted down the sidelines for the score.

The interception return ties a Division III championship record for the longest return for a score. Jay Zunic of Ithaca (N.Y.) had the only other 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Division III playoff history, coming in a 1991 playoff game against Rowan (N.J.).

"The defensive line did a great job of rushing the quarterback, and I was in the right place for the play," Berghoff said. "I was hoping I wasn't going to get tired when I was running down the sidelines."

Binger scored his three touchdowns on similar option sweep plays, a three-yard run late in the first quarter, a five-yard run late in the second quarter an a five-yard run late in the final period.

"The offensive line did a great job, and my fullback did a great job blocking ahead of me," Binger said. "Anyone could have gotten the ball in those situations."

Bethel held a 10-7 second-quarter lead, using a 27-yard field goal from Seth Olson and a 27-yard pass play from Kirchoff to Jordy Hage on a fourth-down and seven play.

Kirchoff completed 21 of 36 passing attempts for 191 yards in the contest, spreading the passes to his three dominant receivers ? Deon Jordan (92 yards on nine receptions), Mike Johnson (37 yards on six catches) and Jordy Hage (49 yards on four catches).

"It (the loss) doesn't put a damper on our season," said Kirchoff. "The sun will rise tomorrow. We had fun throughout the season. We love each other and we love the Lord. We only had one loss this year. I feel like my heart is hurt, but I know it was an awesome year."

In the third quarter, Bethel's opening five-minute drive included another fourth-down conversion, a nine-yard gain by Kirchoff to put the ball on the PLU 5. Olson capped the drive with a 22-yard field goal to cut the PLU lead to 14-13. Bethel had three fourth-down conversions in the game.

Ian Hanly put the Lutes ahead by eight points on a four-yard run up the middle with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter. Another fourth-down conversion aided the play, when Johnson converted a fourth-and-four play on a pass to Kyle Brown to the 4.

The Royals had a touchdown taken off the board on a 29-yard floater from Kirchoff to Eric Carlson. However, an official ruled that Carlson landed out of the end zone when he caught the football on a diving attempt. The Royals turned the ball over on downs.

"I went up for it, I had it and I came down. I don't know if I was out of bounds or if it just fell out," Carlson said.

Mike Johnson led the Royals with 99 rushing yards on 14 attempts, while Josh Savageau had 45 rushes on nine carries.

For the Lutes, Binger's 119 yards on the ground was the capper of an impressive ground-gain afternoon, as PLU had 257 rushing yards on 49 attempts. Hanly gained 70 yards on 12 carries, and Shipley Ennis had 58 rushing yards on six carries.

Defensively, Ben McGrann had nine tackles (seven solo) and a sack to lead the Lutes, while Kris Helphinstine had two sacks. Benji Sonnichsen had seven tackles (five solo).

For the Royals, Hans Bengston and Rick Meyer had 10 tackles apiece. Meyer added a sack. Jeff Bormes had eight tackles.