Box Score

ST. PAUL – What was slated to be one of the biggest games of the 2012 season for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) fell short Saturday, as the No. 7-ranked Royals were upended 37-0 by the No. 3-ranked Tommies of St. Thomas at O'Shaunessey Stadium. Following the conclusion of the game UST (6-0, 4-0 MIAC) holds sole possession of first place, while BU (5-1, 3-1 MIAC) rests in a three-way tie with Augsburg and Concordia for second.

Bethel drew unfortunate circumstances in the opening quarter when a St. Thomas punt nicked a BU player before UST fell on the football inside the Bethel 15-yard-line—setting up the Tom's first score of the day. Later in the period, UST quarterback Matt O'Connell fumbled deep in Bethel territory only to have a teammate land on the ball in the Tommie end zone, giving the home team a quick 14-0 lead.
 
The Royals struggled to move the ball in the first half, which gave the ball back to the Tommie offense and kept the BU defense active throughout the majority of the contest. The defense held St. Thomas to a field goal in the next two drives, but allowed a touchdown with 0:09 remaining in the half—making the game oddly uneven 24-0 at the half.
 
BU's defense continued to improve in the second half, holding UST scoreless in the third and giving up a touchdown midway through the fourth after a successful fake field goal attempt.
 
Erik Peterson (So., Orono, Minn.) and company attempted to get the offense in gear throughout the second half of the game, but failed to convert on third downs as the Tommies held Bethel to just seven throughout the game. Trailing all of the second half Bethel rallied on its throwing game in the final 30 minutes, which resulted in 14-of-27 passing and two interceptions for Peterson. Peterson's second interception of the day resulted in a 49-yard touchdown by UST defensive back Steve Dejewski.
 
Mitch Hallstrom (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) led all Royal receivers with 56 yards on four catches. Jay Hilbrands (Sr., Clara City, Minn.) managed 34 yards on six receptions.
 
Jesse Phenow (Jr., Richfield, Minn.) achieved just 25 yards on 10 carries.
 
For the defense, it was Seth Mathis (Jr., Anoka, Minn.) that came up with 10 tackles, including eight solo and two assisted. J.D. Mehlhorn (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) tripped up nine ball carriers, while Erik Smith (Sr., Henning, Minn.) and Brett Skoog (Sr., Long Lake, Minn.) each had seven. As a whole, Bethel's defense stopped four Tommie carries in the backfield.
 
The Royals travel again next weekend, as they hope to get back in the win column in St. Peter, Minn. while facing Gustavus Adolphus Saturday at 1 p.m.