GAME DAY NOTES

LIVE VIDEO/STATS/PARKING DIRECTIONS

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Bethel University continues to build momentum as the Royals rumble into week ten of its 2011 season. Back-to-back wins over Concordia College and Hamline University have BU at 7-2 (5-2 MIAC) overall, and knocking on the door for its second straight eight-win season. Bethel takes on Augsburg College this week, who currently holds a record of 6-3 (4-3 MIAC). The Auggies look to take down the Royals and force a potential four-way tie for second place in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The two opponents will face off in the Metrodome located in Minneapolis, Minn., where Augsburg has hosted its final game of the season for the past number of years. 

In 2010 the two squads squared off on the same weekend at Royal Stadium for the 36th time, however, the weather was far from what each will see Saturday. With several inches of snow falling BU defeated Augsburg College 19-6, ending its season 9-1, which proved to be good enough to enter the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Royals went on to win three games in the tournament from there before falling to Mount Union College in the semi-final game.

Bethel continues to lead its offensive attack with the run. In the nine games played thus far, BU has tallied 2,484 yards on the ground on 428 carries, good enough for league-leading 5.8 yards per carry and 276 rushing yards per contest. The Royals have tallied thirty total rushing touchdowns, among six different ball-carriers. Leading the way for Bethel is Jesse Phenow (So., Richfield, Minn.) with 790 rushing yards on 147 attempts. His 87.8 yards per game ranks fourth among all MIAC rushers. One spot behind the sophomore tailback is quarterback Josh Aakre (Sr., Dawson, Minn.), who has rushed for 784 yards on 125 carries, producing 87.1 yards per game. Aakre is coming off his longest rush of the year one week ago, when he darted for a 78-yard touchdown.

BU's offense will compete against the high-flying offense of Augsburg College, who leads the league in numerous offensive categories. The Auggies are averaging 27 points per game, with over 380 yards of total offense in each contest. The Augsburg attack is led first on the ground, as the Auggies have averaged 140 rushing yards throughout its nine contests. Freshman Tyler Maxwell is having a career year, averaging five yards per carry, netting 849 total rushing yards on 169 carries. His 121.3 average on the ground leads the league and his 13 touchdowns is tied for third among all rushers. The freshman tailback also leads the league in all purpose yards and scoring. Maxwell and the Auggie offense is greatly assisted by quarterback Marcus Brumm, who is the leagues best passer. Brumm tops all MIAC quarterbacks with over 240 passing yards a game, as the senior has completed 181 passes on 307 attempts. The Augsburg quarterback makes full use of his offensive weapons as sophomore Adam Carl leads the league in receptions per game. Carl averages 66.6 yards per game, coming from his six grabs per contest of approximately 11 yards. The Auggies boast another sophomore receiver in H. Bourne-McFarlane. He has 617 receiving yards on 41 receptions, translating to 68.6 yards per game.

Augsburg's offense will be introduced Saturday to Bethel's physical defense, who ranks second in total defense. In its nine games the Royals have only allowed 253.1 yards per game and 14 touchdowns. BU ranks second in scoring defense as it has only given up an average of 14.6 points per game. Its no secret that senior linebacker Billy Morgan (Sr., Rosemount, Minn.) has been the face of the BU defense. Morgan leads all Royal defenders with 102 tackles, including 48 solo wrap-ups, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one interception, and one fumble recovery. He is aided by inside line-backer Seth Mathis (So., Anoka, Minn.), who tallied 11 tackles in last week's competition against the Pipers, including two tackles for a loss. The sophomore has totaled 71 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss of 14 yards, one sack, one interception, four break-ups, and two force fumbles.

Head Coach Steve Johnson noted this about the upcoming game, "This matchup has created a good rivalry as we have competed in the last game of the regular season for the last four seasons. This year Augsburg is very balanced in its attack. In our opinion, this is the best they have been in quite some time. Marcus Brumm is a great athlete and can do exceptional things for the Auggies passing game."

Johnson continued about what this game means, "We can't worry about the standings, and I hate to even say we should play this one for the seniors because in all reality we should play every game in that manner. Our focus on the field, though, is to be a team that people hate to play, and we want to be just that Saturday. If we can come away victorious and finish 8-2, there's a chance we stick out among the pack."

Game time is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Mall of America Field in the HHH Metrodome. Tickets will go on sale at 11:30 a.m. at Gate D. Tickets for adults are $7 and $3 for students. Limited parking is available in the Metrodome lot on the east side of the dome.