Box Score
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn.- The Royals used an impressive ground game and another strong defensive performance in earning a 28-13 win over Saint John's. Trailing 13-0 late in the 1st half, Bethel found their legs and proceeded to score 28 unanswered points, claiming a share of the MIAC Title while also earning the automatic playoff qualifier.
The Johnnies started the scoring off on their second possession of the game when Brian Weber was on the receiving end of a 13-yard Alex Kofoed touchdown pass capping off a 7-play, 70 yard drive.
Saint John's kept the momentum in the second quarter as they jumped out to a 13-0 lead when Kofoed found Mike Lofboom on a 42-yard touchdown pass. With the Johnnies seemingly taking control of the game, Bethel showed resolve as the tables would turn.
Starting on their own five yard-line, the Royals drove 12 plays and 63 yards in five minutes and looked to be headed for a score when a fumble on the quarterback/center exchange turned the ball over and halted the drive. Second life would be given however, when Saint John's fumbled the ball on the next play turning the ball back over to Bethel. With under two minutes remaining in the half, the Royals would take advantage of the opportunity driving another 34 yards on 9 plays resulting in an Eric Fornshell touchdown reception from quarterback Ben Wetzell, making the score 13-7 at the half.
The Royals returned to start the second half with a new found confidence and would carry that into their first lead of the day. On their second offensive possession of the half, Bethel pounded the ball 47 yards on 14 plays and capped the drive off with Wetzell going to the air finding Tight End Eric Fornshell in the back of the end-zone for his second TD reception of the game and what would become the game winning score.
The Bethel defense kept the pressure on, forcing the Johnnies to a three-and-out putting the Royal offense back on the field. With Phil Porta on the sidelines due to injury, Bethel turned to the rushing combination of Wetzell and junior running back Jared Bangs as they would lead the team down the field and set up Wetzell's third touchdown pass of the game, this time to Kyle Lee.
Saint John's would threaten on the next possession after a 44-yard pass completion from Kofoed to Lofboom putting the Johnnies in scoring position. The drive would stall however, and a 31-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.
Bethel continued to grind out the clock on the ground and would drive the ball down to the Saint John's 30-yard line. Facing a fourth and ten, the Royals opted to take a delay of game penalty and punted the ball down to the Johnnies 10-yard line. It proved to be the right call as senior corner back Jon Evans intercepted an errant Kofoed pass on the next play giving the ball back to the Royals. With just over two minutes to play Bethel faced another fourth down decision. This time the Royals would go for it as Bangs would scamper 22-yards for the final score of the game.
Bethel sealed the deal on Saint John's next possession when safety Brandon Carr intercepted Kofoed with 1:22 left to play.
The Royals dominated the clock eating up nearly 42 minutes compared to only 18:20 for Saint John's. The Bethel offensive line was a key factor throughout the day as they would be on the field for 96 plays including 73 rushing attempts for 299 yards and would not allow a sack on 23 passing attempts. Bethel totaled 382 yards offense and converted 11 of 24 third downs and 5 of 8 fourth downs.
Individually, Bethel was led by Ben Wetzell who finished the afternoon with 100 yards rushing while also completing 11-23 passes for 83 yards and three scores. Eric Fornshell and Kyle Lee led the receiving game as Fornshell came down with two receptions both for scores and Lee would add five receptions for 44 yards and a score. Phil Porta led all rushers finishing with 116 yards in only three quarters of play. Jared Bangs came in for the injured Porta and didn't miss a beat, rushing 14 times for 76 yards and a score.
Defensively, the Royals were once again led by Brandon Carr who finished with ten tackles, a pass break up and his league leading seventh interception of the year. Zach Danielson was a force on the defensive front earning six tackles, including one for a loss, while also forcing the key fumble in the 1st half.
For the Johnnies, quarterback Alex Kofoed completed 14 of 29 passes for 265 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Mike Lofboom caught four balls on the day for 146 yards and one score as Brian Weber had the other receiving score on two catches for 44 yards. Saint John's was held to only 44 yards rushing as a team on 15 carries for a 2.9 ypc average.
The Saint John's defense was on the field most of the day as Ryan Wimmer had a game high 16 tackles including 1 for a loss. Kevin Boegel and Jamie Steffensmeier also added 12 and 11 tackles, respectively.
This is the first time Bethel has ever defeated the Johnnies in Collegeville in 16 attempts and third time in the series' history. Bethel now improves to 9-1 overall and 7-1 in the MIAC as they wait to see who they will face in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. The postseason bracket will be announced from 1-2 p.m. Sunday afternoon when the NCAA Division III Playoff Selection Show airs on ESPNews.
Saint John's falls to 9-1 overall, 7-1 in the league and will hope for an at-large bid.
