Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - In front of a crowd of about 5000 fans, Bethel faced St. John's University for the first time at Royal stadium since 2000 today, as the Johnnies came away on top 30-9. After some good defensive play by both teams St. John's got on the board at the end of the 1 st quarter on a 40-yard field goal by Anthony Schmidt to take a 3-0 lead. The Johnnies then took advantage of consecutive special teams errors by the Royals as they blocked a punt and recovered a muffed punt that turned into 13 points. The scores came on a 4-yard pass from Alex Kofoed to Mike Lofboom and a 16-yard TD run by Corey Weber. Bethel got on the board when St. John's first PAT attempt was blocked by Kirby Carr who then recovered the ball and returned it 90 yards for the 2-point score. As time wined down in the half, Jeff Schulte sacked Bethel quarterback Ben Wetzell forcing a fumble giving the ball back to St. John's on their own 47 with 55 seconds left. A combination of runs and passes down the field was capped off by a 16-yard TD reception for Kyle Gearman from Kofoed to take the 23-2 lead into halftime. On the opening drive of the second half Bethel went 65 yards on 8-plays and scored on a 13 yard run by Ben Wetzell making the score 23-9. Both defenses then tightened up until the first drive in the 4 th when St. John's Running back Corey Weber capped a 6-play 44 yard drive taking the ball in from 11 yards for the score making the final 30-9.

The Royals were led by Phil Porta who returned after a separated shoulder last week as he carried the ball 28 times for 126 yards. Defensively Bethel was led by Safety Kirby Carr who finished with 12 tackles, 8 solo, and the PAT block for a score.

St. John's totaled 385 yards of offense with 267 of that coming off the arm of Alex Kofoed who also threw for two scores. On the receiving end of the Kofoed balls was Mike Lofboom who finished the afternoon with seven catches for 129 yards and a score. Kyle Gearman also added five receptions for 69 yards and a score. On the ground Corey Weber rushed 25 times for 120 yards and two scores. Defensively for the Johnnies Damien Dumonceaux led the way as he finished with 10 tackles, 9 solo, 3 for a loss and a sack. Pre-season All-American Jason Good also added 9 tackles and a forced fumble for St. John's in the win.

St. John's now moves to 6-0, 4-0 in MIAC play while Bethel falls to 2-3, 1-2 in conference play. Next week the Johnnies will travel to Concordia-Moorhead in a Battle of unbeaten's as Bethel will head down Snelling to take on the Thomas of St. Thomas.