Box Score

Game Highlights | VIDEOS: [Erik Peterson] | [J.D. Mehlhorn] | [Jay Hilbrands] 

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Playing host to Buena Vista University on a beautiful fall afternoon, the Bethel University football team upended the Beavers 56-7 and gave the white-out crowd much to cheer about. The Royals garnered four scores through the arms and legs of new quarterback Erik Peterson (So., Orono, Minn.), as the sophomore hurler delivered two throwing and two running touchdowns.

BU opened the 1 p.m. affair with an eight-minute drive that traveled 75 yards on 15 plays and was capped off by a Derek Waldbillig (Sr., Farmington, Minn.) touchdown from two yards out. An extra point from Nathaniel Van Loon (Fr., Faribault, Minn.) gave the Royals the 7-0 lead with seven minutes remaining in the period.

J.D. Mehlhorn (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) and the Bethel defense quickly amped the lead up to 14-0, when the junior defensive back intercepted a Bobby Brown pass and returned it to the BVU end zone.

Quarterback Erik Peterson took control of the next four Bethel touchdowns, as the Orono, Minn. native opened the second quarter with a six-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in a seven-yard scamper by Peterson. The touchdown was largely set up by a 44-yard throw and catch between Peterson and Jay Hilbrands (Sr., Clara City, Minn.), which put the Royals deep into the Beavers' territory.

Peterson and Hilbrands connected two more times, which were the ensuing two touchdowns for Bethel. Hilbrands brought down Peterson's first career throwing touchdown with 4:17 left to play in the second quarter when the senior wide out found space on a 37-yard post route. The Royals quickly got the ball back after Mike Schmalzer (Sr., Andover, Minn.) intercepted another Brown pass attempt, setting up the second Peterson to Hilbrands touchdown of the quarter. The sophomore to senior connection came together on an 18-yard fade route on the near side of the field on just the second play of the drive, putting Bethel ahead 35-0 heading into the half.

The Royals forced Buena Vista into a three-and-out to start the third quarter before Erik Peterson tallied his final touchdown on the day. His one-yard sneak finished a six-play, 15-yard drive that ticked nearly three minutes off the clock.

Derek Waldbillig found the end zone for his second touchdown of the day and BU's final offensive score of the day late in the third quarter on a one-yard draw that completed a nine-play, 56-yard drive. Waldbillig and Peterson together combined for four Bethel rushing touchdowns.

Freshman Landon Mathis (Anoka, Minn.) finalized Bethel's scoring on a blocked punt that he both tipped and recovered in the BVU end zone, which put BU ahead 56-0 with 6:38 still remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Royals' defense surrendered its first touchdown of the 2012 campaign when the Beavers composed an 85-yard drive late in the fourth quarter to complete the 56-7 contest.

Leading the way for the No. 14-ranked defense nationwide was again Seth Mathis (Jr., Anoka, Minn.), who finished the afternoon with seven tackles, including one for loss. Seth's brother Landon and Landen Strilzuk (So., Luck, Wis.) each tallied five tackles as well. As a unit, BU's defense amassed five tackles for loss, one fumble, two interceptions, and 13 pass breakups. The defensive pressure also hurried the BVU quarterback eight times.

On the offensive side of the ball quarterback Erik Peterson showcased his pinpoint accuracy again, finishing the game with 202 yards passing on 14-of-16 with an interception and two touchdowns. Peterson connected with four receivers throughout the afternoon, as Hilbrands led the way with three catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns, followed by Mitch Hallstrom (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.), who ended with six catches for 45 yards.

Brandon Marquardt (So., Champlin, Minn.) carried the majority of the ground game Saturday with 21 rushes for 84 yards. Marshall Klitzke (Fr., Annandale, Minn.) carried the ball seven times for 43 yards, while Peterson had an additional seven carries for 29 yards and two scores. Derek Waldbillig finished the day with 16 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Bethel begins Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play next week, when the Royals welcome Carleton to campus next Saturday. The Knights, under new head coach Bob Pagel, remain unbeaten after Saturday's 21-14 victory over Hamline. Next week's matchup is set for 1 p.m. at Royal Stadium.