Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Bethel (3-1, 2-0 in the MIAC) jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter via two Porta scoring runs. He scored from 3 yards out with 5:00 left in the quarter and later scored on a 1-yard plunge.

The Royals would add a 21-yard touchdown run from Andrew Wright to take a 21-0 lead with 5:51 left in the half.

The Pipers (2-1, 1-1) answered before the half to cut the lead to 21-6. After the first of Porta's three lost fumbles on the day, Hamline went 40 yards in 10 plays. The drive was kept alive when the Pipers converted a key fourth-and-six on a 7-yard Dan Ryks reception to the Bethel 29-yard line. Ryks led all receivers with six catches for 59 yards. Hamline would cap the drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Andy Gagnon to tight end Jeff Hanger with 27 seconds left in the half.

Hamline was held to just 117 yards of offense in the first half and 160 yards for the game. Bethel gained a total of 382 yards, 302 yards on the ground.

Fullback Chris Evan added 75 yards on the ground on 15 carries. Wright had six carries for 33 yards. The Hamline rushing attack was led by Ben Dahmes, who had 46 yards on 17 carries. Piper Ben Ganske added 39 yards on nine attempts.

Gagnon threw for 72 yards on 14-of-28 passing. He threw a touchdown and two interceptions. Royal signal caller A.J. Parnell was 9-of-17 passing for 80 yards.

In the second half, the Piper defense rose to the occasion, forcing two Porta fumbles and shutting out the Royals. Bethel drove down to the Hamline 6-yard line early in the third quarter only to have Porta fumble at the goal line. The Pipers would hold the ball for the next 8:51 on an 18-play, 55-yard drive, which would stall at the Bethel 7-yard line.

After two consecutive penalties and an eight-yard loss, the Pipers would face a fourth-and-goal from the Bethel 25. Gagnon's fourth down pass was intercepted at the goal line by Royal Peter Eastlund.

Neither team could get much going offensively in the fourth quarter. The Piper defense was led by outside linebacker Jordan Below's 17 tackles, including two tackles for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble. Free safety Tyler Schultz had 11 tackles with two fumble recoveries.