Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The University of St. Thomas used a late scoring drive to score with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter to beat Bethel University 28-21 in MIAC play.

Leading the way for the Tommies was senior running back Peter Ridley (Mendota Heights, Minn.) who tacked up 155 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Jansen (Foley, Minn.) added 160 yards through the air adding 1 touchdown while junior wide receiver Joel Korte (Elk River, Minn.) led all receivers with 101 yards on six receptions.

Phil Porta (Cambridge, Minn.) continued to provide heavy offense for Bethel while rushing for 184 yards and a touchdown on the day. Freshman quarterback Ben Wetzell (Wells, Minn.) through for 151 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start for the Royals.

Bethel opened the scoring with a 80 yard drive capped off by a 10 yard toss from Wetzell to wide receiver Jesse Dick (Munich, N.D.). St. Thomas answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ridley after a turnover by Bethel deep in their own territory. Each team scored again in the second quarter to tie the score at 14 heading into halftime. For Bethel it was Zach Ludvigson (Minnetonka, Minn.) catching a five yard reception for the score and Ridley ran in an 11-yard run for the Tommies with forty-nine seconds remaining in the half.

Bethel scored next on a one yard run by Porta early in the fourth quarter, only to have St. Thomas answer on a spectacular 24-yard strike to receiver P.J. Theisen with 6:43 left in regulation. The Tommies defense came up big and stopped Bethel 's offense to get the ball back with about four minutes remaining in the game. Ridley put the ball in the end zone once again on a Ridley one yard carry after a 62 yard scoring drive to take the lead 28-21 with 1:16 left in the ballgame. The Tommies kicked off to Bethel only to have it hit off a Bethel return man. St. Thomas recovered to hold on for the victory.

The Royals travel to Morehead next Saturday to take on Concordia. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m.