Box Score
ST. PAUL, Minn. - In football, there's drama off the field, which the Dallas Cowboys seem to have no problem finding, and then there's drama on the field, which the Bethel Royals have produced on more than one occasion this season. In drama, there are Oscar-worthy performances capable of stirring a wide array of emotions within the audience, and then there are performances that induce groans over applause more often than not. Today's football game between the Royals and Hamline Pipers had its fair share of both, and when it was all said and done, it was a member of the supporting cast that gave Bethel's audience what they wanted to see.
Reigning MIAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Matt Wetherell (Fr., Glen Ellyn, Ill.) made a 30-yard field goal as time expired to give Bethel a 9-7 win over the hosting Hamline Pipers.
The emotional roller-coaster ride that was the last minute of the game saw Hamline take a 7-6 lead when
James Leary scored a touchdown from four yards out with 34 seconds remaining. However, despite Hamline's attempt to keep the ball on the ground and out of the hands of
Tim Cornish (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) on the ensuing kickoff, he still managed to field the ball and return it to the Hamline 48-yard line, setting up Bethel's final drive of the game. Quarterback
Caleb Graff (So., Buena Vista, Colo. - pictured right), playing in place of an injured
Josh Aakre (Fr., Dawson, Minn.), completed four short passes to
Joel Quick (Jr., Johnston, Iowa) to move the ball down to the Hamline 13-yard line.
The Pipers then tried to ice Wetherell by calling two consecutive timeouts, but to no avail.
Wetherell's kick had more than enough leg behind it and sailed through the uprights, producing cheers of joy from the Bethel sidelines, and groans of disbelief from the Hamline contingent.
The two teams played played an almost statistically even game, with the Pipers and the Royals each gaining 15 first downs. Bethel held a slight edge in rushing yards with 205 compared to 165, but Hamline maintained the edge in passing yards with 124 to Bethel's 97.
Bethel's defense, like it has been so many times during the season, was responsible for keeping the Piper offensive attack at bay for a majority of the game.
Darin Schwarze (Sr., Stanwood, Wash.) led Royal tacklers with 10, while
Trent Pearson (So., Shakopee, Minn.),
Jared Lyle (Jr., Elgin, Ill.), and
Nate Gutshall (Jr., Urbandale, Iowa) each had eight tackles.
Cory Svihla (So., Foley, Minn.) who led the team in tackles last week, only had one this week, but broke up a pass on crucial fourth down to give Bethel the ball back late in the fourth quarter. Defensive end and MIAC sack leader,
Aaron Mills (Sr., Traverse City, Mich. - pictured left), also had a pass break-up to end a Hamline drive on fourth down.
On offense,
Logan Flannery (So., Lakeville, Minn.) rushed the ball 13 times for 66 yards, including a long
Levi Schultz.jpg" alt="" /> of 28 yards before leaving the game with an injury.
Levi Schultz (Fr., New London, Minn. - pictured right) rushed the ball for a season-high seven times for 32 yards, including a long of 27 yards. However, it was
Dusty Wahl (Jr., Mahtomedi, Minn.) who gave the Royals their first lead of the game at 6-0 when he rumbled into the end zone from four yards out.
Aakre, who started the game under center, was 5-for-9 passing for 63 yards. He left the game in the second half with an injury, only for Graff to come in and complete five of his eight passes for 34 yards, of which 30 came on the last drive alone. Quick caught eight passes for 88 yards, including the last four receptions of the game.
The win gives Bethel a winning record at 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAC. Meanwhile, Hamline remains winless in the conference at 0-5, and is 1-5 overall. The battered and bruised Royals will enjoy a much-needed bye next weekend, and will focus their attention on Gustavus, who knocked off previously undefeated Carleton today. The game against the Gusties is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, beginning at 1 p.m. at Royal Stadium.
