ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Bethel senior cornerback Ben Matthews (Milaca, MN) tied an NCAA record with five interceptions as Bethel held on to win 14-13 over Gustavus. Three of Matthews' interceptions were in the end zone thwarting Gustie scoring drives. Bethel opened the scoring in the first half on their first drive of the game on a 13 yard scoring pass from sophomore quarterback Scott Kirchoff (Hutchinson, MN) to sophomore wide receiver Joel Olson (Becker, MN). The rest of the first half remained scoreless as Bethel took a 7-0 lead into halftime.

Gustavus scored all of their points in the third quarter on a four yard run from Eric Schmidt and a one yard run from junior quarterback Joe Thorvig. After missing the extra point, Gustavus held a 13-7 lead. Bethel responded with a nine play, 67-yard drive ending with Mike Johnson running in from one yard out to take the lead for good.

Kirchoff led the Royals with a career high 323 yards passing as he completed 29 of 38. Sophomore running back Mike Johnson (Pine City, MN) ran for a career high 89 yards on 15 carries and also caught three passes for 106 yards. Senior wide receiver Eric Carlson (Wadena, MN) caught a career high 13 passes for 119 yards.

Gustavus was led by Thorvig with a career high 272 yards passing, although he was intercepted six times.