Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - For the second time in the past three years, the Carleton Knights have stunned Bethel by winning 17-14. The Knights won by the same score in 2006, which ultimately prevented the Royals from winning the conference outright that season.

More than 3,600 students, fans, and alumni were on hand to watch the Homecoming football game and saw Carleton take a 10-0 lead at the half. It wasn't until midway during the third quarter when Bethel got on the scoreboard with a 2-yard touchdown run by Caleb Graff (So., Buena Vista, Colo.). The touchdown was set up by three pass receptions by Aaron Bernstetter (Sr., Holdingford, Minn.) of 13, 14, and 26 yards, as well as a 17-yard rush by Logan Flannery (So., Lakeville, Minn.). Nearly three minutes later, the Royals struck again when Flannery put Bethel up 14-10 with a 7-yard touchdown run. Flannery had 121 yards on 21 carries, making it three consecutive games of 120 yards or more.

Like last week against Wheaton, the difference in the game proved to be a field goal. Carleton's Tim Kane was 1-for-2 in field goal attempts, but the one he made was the one that counted. His 41-yard kick with 1:17 remaining in the first quarter put Carleton up 3-0.

Defensively, the Royals limited the Knights to just 71 net yards on the ground. Nate Voronyak (Sr., Orono, Minn.) and Aaron Mills (Sr., Traverse City, Mich.) each had 10 tackles, with Mills sacking Carleton quarterback Shane Henfling twice for losses of 11 yards. The Royals also came up with three interceptions, with one each by Nate Gutshall (Jr., Urbandale, Iowa), Cory Svihla (So., Foley, Minn.) and Tim Cornish (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.).

Once again, turnovers played a critical part in the outcome. The Royals turned the ball over five times on two fumbles and three interceptions, including one with two minutes remaining in the game.

The Royals fall to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in MIAC play, while Carleton improves to 2-0 and 1-0 in the conference. Bethel's MIAC winning streak was snapped at 14 games with the loss, and it is the first time in exactly three years that the Royals have lost back-to-back games. Bethel will hit the road to take on Concordia-Moorhead next weekend. The Cobbers defeated Saint John's by a score of 9-6 today in Collegeville.