Game notes | Video: Steve Johnson | d3football.com play of the week
 
Live stats | Live webcast | Live audio 1 | Live audio 2
 
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Bethel's football team continues to see day light, as the Royals defeated Concordia University-Chicago in the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs a week ago. Its reward will be trip to Oshkosh, Wis. this weekend to face the WIAC champion, UW-Oshkosh, in the second week of the postseason. Saturday's contest will be the seventh time the Royals will have played an undefeated opponent in the 2012 campaign.
 
The Titans are flawless thus far in the season, going 11-0, including a 55-10 win over St. Scholastica last weekend in Oshkosh, Wis.. Additionally, UW-Oshkosh is part of the Wisconsin Conference that has won the last three national championships—all which were by UW-Whitewater.
 
The Royal's opponent boasts a high-flying offense that averages over 40 points and 500 yards per game. Included in the offensive attack is quarterback Nate Wara, who has thrown 25 touchdowns and averages 235 passing yards on any given Saturday. Wara has a talented wide out—Caleb Voss—who is among the top receivers nationwide with over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdown receptions. Cole Myhra will lead the Titans on the ground, as the junior averages 116.7 yards per game.
 
Bethel looks to combat the UW-Oshkosh offense with its nationally known defense. The Royals have allowed just 18.45 points per game and have forced 25 turnovers throughout the season. BU's defense has held its opponents to just 10 points in the third quarter and although it has been outscored in the fourth period, the Royals have found a way to secure nine victories.  2012 All-MIAC players Seth Mathis (Jr., Anoka, Minn.) and Brett Skoog (Sr., Long Lake, Minn.) look to lead the defensive stand, as the two have combined for 194 tackles. Skoog alone has 11.5 tackles for a loss of 62 yards, while Mathis leads the team in forced turnovers (8).
 
Erik Peterson (So., Orono, Minn.) will continue to lead the Royal's offense, as the quarterback has showcased a unique ability to compose sustained time-consuming drives in recent weeks. Peterson's receiving corps consists of Mitch Hallstrom (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Jay Hilbrands (Sr., Clara City, Minn.)—of which both were named to an MIAC All-Conference team. The ground game will see a tandem backfield, as Marshall Klitzkie (Fr., Annandale, Minn.) and Jesse Phenow (Jr., Richfield, Minn.) will split carries against the Titans.
 
Saturday's game at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium is scheduled to begin at noon. Live stats and webcasts will be available at the links above, along with two different audio broadcasts. The winner will be among the final eight teams and will face either Linfield (Ore.) or North Central (Ill.) the following Saturday, December 1.