Box Score
ARDEN HILLS, Minn.- Bethel's offense got the much-needed boost it was looking for after last week's loss to Buena Vista University by defeating the Simpson College Storm at home, 35-0. Quarterback Ben Wetzell led today's attack by passing for two touchdowns and rushing for another.
After going three-and-out on their first three possessions, Bethel got their spark late in the first quarter when Aaron Bernstetter took a break from catching passes to throw a 62-yard touchdown to fellow wide receiver, Kyle Lee.
Wetzell had a hand in Bethel's next three touchdowns, connecting with Nick Otto and Bernstetter for 33 and 37-yard TD strikes, respectively, and then showing his athletic prowess by rushing for a 30-yard touchdown himself. He completed 9 of 12 passes on the day for 131 yards, while racking up 79 yards on the ground – second only to freshman running back, Logan Flannery, who rushed the ball 18 times for 97 yards. The Royals amassed 455 yards of total offense in an almost equal running and passing attack, with 239 yards rushing and 216 yards passing.
Defensively, Bethel did an outstanding job of containing the Simpson offense, limiting them to just 50 yards rushing and 182 yards passing. Cornerback Tim Cornish picked off two passes, including one he returned 51 yards for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter. Steve Luebke led Bethel defenders with a quarterback sack and seven tackles, while Lucas Blodgett, Darin Schwarze, and Jamie Wagner each had five tackles.
Simpson quarterbacks Tyson Unkrich and Travis Dietz found wide receiver Trent Kain nine times for 96 yards, but were unable to move the ball inside Bethel's 20-yard line. The Storm came close to posting a crooked number on the scoreboard in the third, but kicker Bill Nelson's 45-yard field goal attempt missed wide left.
With the win, Bethel improves to 1-1 on the season. They will begin MIAC play next week when they travel to Moorhead, MN, to take on Concordia College. Simpson falls to 1-1, and will take on Coe College next week in Cedar Rapids, IA.
*Notes - At halftime, Rich Mies of the College Sporting News presented former Bethel linebacker and four-time All-Conference athlete (for both football and baseball) Kirby Carr with a trophy for winning the College Sporting News MIAC Male Athlete of the Year for the 2006-2007 year.
