Box Score  | Game Highlights | Photo Gallery

VIDEOS: Brandon Marquardt | Landen Strilzuk | David Morgan
 
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – On perhaps one of the most scenic afternoons one could imagine at Royal Stadium, Bethel's football team celebrated Family Weekend in style by defeating Hamline 56-21. The No. 14-ranked Royals (7-1, 5-1 MIAC) utilized 28 unanswered points in the third quarter to take down the Pipers (1-7, 0-7 MIAC), who have yet to record its a conference win since the 2010 season.
 
Bethel's offensive dominance was evident throughout the entire game, opposed to just the third quarter. Brandon Marquardt (So., Champlin, Minn.) looked completely healthy, finishing the day with 142 yards and two touchdowns via the ground on just 14 carries. Bethel reminded itself of BU football over the past decade, as the Royals finished with 262 total rushing yards.
 
Marquardt started the scoring affair with a 24-yard reception from quarterback Erik Peterson (So., Orono, Minn.) with 10:52 remaining in the opening quarter, which was set up by a 31-yard rush by Derek Waldbillig (Sr., Farmington, Minn.).
 
The Pipers evened the score on the ensuing possession when the MIAC's fourth-leading rusher Austin Duncan bolted for 60 yards to put Hamline at the Bethel one-yard-line—and it was Duncan that later scored.
 
The Royals' offense didn't let a Piper score scare them, as they drove 71 yards the very next possession and scored on a 47-yard Marshall Klitzke (Fr., Annandale, Minn.) carry to give BU a 14-7 advantage. A quick three-and-out for Hamline gave the ball back to Bethel, which set up the Royals third touchdown of the day. Peterson connected with Jared Schultz (Jr., Fergus Falls, Minn.) for 21-yard touchdown to cap a six-play, 61-yard drive, giving Bethel a 21-7 advantage.
 
Hamline continued to make the game interesting with a quick touchdown, when Cam Knudsen found an open Ryan Ferkinhoff—due to broken coverage—which resulted in a 62-yard score.
 
Leading 21-14 with 4:39 left in the second quarter, Bethel continued steam rolling its opponent on the ground and scored with under a minute to play when Brandon Marquardt found the end zone for the second time in the contest—putting the game at 28-14 going into the half.
 
Following the games' intermission, the Royals left no doubt for the fans with a 28-0 third quarter effort that put the game out of sight for the Pipers. Marquardt tallied his third touchdown of the day—second rushing—with a 26-yard scamper in the half's opening three minutes, which was then followed by a Jay Hilbrands (Sr., Clara City, Minn.) touchdown from Peterson with 7:18 left in the third period.
 
Another Hamline three-and-out resulted in a Hamline punt that allowed sophomore Landen Strilzuk (So., Luck, Wis.) to compose his first career punt return for a touchdown—one area that has been quite rare in Bethel's history.
 
The Royal's next drive was finished with a touchdown pass from Peterson to Hans Duininck (Sr., Tulsa, Okla.) on a 17-yard out route. Duininck's touchdown was his second in as many weeks and the fourth different receiver Peterson connected with for a touchdown—resulting in a 56-14 score with 0:53 remaining in the third period.
 
The Pipers scored the final touchdown of the game with 0:25 left in the fourth quarter to conclude the 56-21 MIAC matchup.
 
As a unit, BU's offense finished with 465 yards, which included 262 on the ground and 203 in the air. After completing 27-of-29 passes a week ago, Peterson composed a 16-of-23 performance with 191 yards and four touchdowns. Mitch Hallstrom (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) led all Bethel receivers with five receptions and 66 yards. Jay Hilbrands finished with four catches, 25 yards, and a touchdown. The Royals were forced to punt just twice throughout the afternoon.
 
Brandon Marquardt ended a special day with 236 all-purpose yards, which included 142 on the ground, 47 in the air, and 47 on kickoff returns.
 
Bethel's defense was led by Luke Buttenhoff (Jr., Watertown, Minn.), who finished with 13 tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Seth Mathis (Jr., Anoka, Minn.) wrapped up 10 and forced a Hamline fumble. David Morgan (So., Rosemount, Minn.) gathered his second interception in as many games and tallied three tackles at strong safety. Together the Royals allowed just 1.91 yard per play--with the exception of the two 60-plus-yard plays.

Additionally, special teams played a big role as Bethel finished with 153 return yards to help put the offense in pleasant positions.
 
Hamline's defense was led by Patrick Page, who ended the day with 20 tackles—8 solo and 12 assisted.