Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - With more than 4,000 parents, fans, and alumni in attendance, the Bethel Royals wowed the Homecoming crowd with a 29-10 win over the visiting Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers.

Bethel used an aerial attack to defeat Concordia today, as the Royals had 245 of their 451 offensive yards through the air, and three passers threw for the four touchdowns in the win. Joel Quick (Sr., Johnston, Iowa) was on the receiving end of all four touchdowns, starting with a 53-yard pass from running back Logan Flannery (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) halfway through the first quarter. In addition to his perfect passer rating, Flannery finished the day with 123 yards on 21 carries. He also caught two passes for eight yards.

In the second quarter, after a Cobber touchdown, the Royals needed just four plays to go 62-yards for another touchdown. This time it was quarterback Josh Aakre (So., Dawson, Minn.) finding Quick for a 34-yard pass that resulted in six points for Bethel. Aakre found Quick on Bethel's very next drive for a 10-yard touchdown, making the score 22-7 at the half. Aakre was 14-for-24 passing with 157 yards passing and the two touchdowns today.

The Royals weren't done scoring just yet. After a Cobber field goal, Bethel receiver Reid Velo (Sr., Nashwauk, Minn.) got in on the passing action as he hit Quick for a 34-yard touchdown pass just before getting hit himself with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Velo was Bethel's starting quarterback at the beginning of last season before finding a home at wideout. It was Velo's second completion in two tries this year, and both have been for big gains.

Defensively, David Vavra (So., Cambridge, Minn.) had his name called many times today as he led the Royals with 10 tackles (8 solo, 2 assists). He also forced a fumble and broke up two passes. Cory Svihla (Jr., Foley, Minn.) had four solo tackles, two tackles for losses of eight yards as well as a fumble recovery. Nathan Voronyak (Sr., Orono, Minn.) had Bethel's other fumble recovery and also blocked a Cobber field goal in the second quarter.

Bethel allowed just 193 yards of total offense, and only 77 through the air as the Royals intercepted Concordia three times. Tim Cornish (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) had two picks, while Trent Pearson (Jr., Shakopee, Minn.) had the other - a fantastic one-handed grab late in the third that helped set up Bethel's fourth touchdown. If there was any negative about today's game, it was that Bethel, one of the least penalized teams in the MIAC every year, was penalized 12 times for 116 yards.

The win gives Bethel a 3-1 overall record and a 2-0 record in the MIAC. Concordia falls to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The Royals will now get geared up for their game against the Saint John's Johnnies next Saturday in Collegeville, Minn. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m. at Clemens Stadium.