Game Notes | VIDEO: Steve Johnson

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ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Bethel welcomes Saint John's University to Royal Stadium this Saturday for the final game of the 2012 regular season. The MIAC matchup between these two opponents looks to create quite the buzz, as both the Royals and the Johnnies have different goals to play for. BU (7-2, 5-2 MIAC) finds itself in a similar position as 2011, sitting right on the edge of an NCAA Division III postseason opportunity, knowing that in order to have a chance at the dance a win over Saint John's is vital. Meanwhile SJU (5-4, 3-4 MIAC) needs a win to record its 26th consecutive winning season--the longest in the MIAC. If the Johnnies were to lose, not only would it give SJU its first non-winning season since 1968, but it would give Saint John's its first losing record in conference play since 1973 (stats courtesy of gojohnnies.com).
The conference battle looks to be a defensive grind, as the Johnnies boast a deadly pass defense, while the Royals give opposing offenses headaches while running the ball. Tayler Dammermann leads SJU in tackles after nine games played, with 89 wrap-ups and 5.5 tackles for loss. Maze Thompson has also had an exceptional season, recording 54 tackles, which includes 7.5 tackles for a total loss of 27 yards. On top of Dammermann and Thompson, Saint John's depends on All-American cornerback Bobby Fischer, who leads the league with six interceptions.

Bethel's defense will be led by linebackers Seth Mathis (Jr., Anoka, Minn.), Erik Smith (Sr., Henning, Minn.), and Brett Skoog (Sr., Long Lake, Minn.). Mathis, last week's MIAC Defensive Player of the Week, leads the team with 98 tackles and four interceptions. Additionally, Smith and Skoog have been incredible with 62 and 57 tackles, respectively. Smith has posted four tackles for loss, while Skoog has dropped 10 tackles for a loss of 71 yards.

Saint John's will be lead by quarterback Connor Bruns, who has played in six games, completing 77-of-131 passes for 1,052 yards on the season. Bruns is coming back from injury and will replace Nick Martin, who was injured in last week's game against Hamline. SJU will also rely on Stephen Johnson, who has averaed 3.7 yards per carry, thanks to 437 yards rushing on 188 carries. In the passing game, look for a balanced approach as three Johnnie receivers have caught 23 or more passes this season. 

The Royals will attempt to mix in the offensive attack with both the aerial attack of Erik Peterson (So., Orono, Minn.) and rushing attack of Jesse Phenow (Jr., Richfield, Minn.). Peterson continues to possess the second-best completion percentage, as the sophomore has completed 143-of-216 passes for 1,654 yards and just four interceptions. On the ground, Phenow appears to be the lead back, as the Richfield, Minn. native has rushed for 215 yards on 67 carries in five games played this year.