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ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University conquered its fourth consecutive MIAC opponent Saturday at Royal Stadium—topping the University of St. Thomas in dramatic fashion 28-21 to remain the only undefeated team in the league. The No. 5-ranked Royals (6-0, 4-0 MIAC) overcame a 21-14 deficit against the No. 9-ranked Tommies (4-2, 2-2 MIAC) in the fourth quarter to take down the 2012 NCAA Division III runner up.
 
The Royals jumped out to a 14-0 lead at the half, but the Tom's scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to take the 21-14 lead. Bethel's squad never quit, though, as the BU defense kept UST scoreless in the final 20 minutes of the game. Meanwhile, Erik Peterson and Co. rallied for two touchdowns in the final quarter to upend the Tommies by a touchdown.
 


Marshall Klitzke started the scoring Saturday—plunging into the end zone from one yard out—after Erik Peterson hit Mitch Hallstrom for a 17-yard completion on 3rd-and-10 at the Tommie 18-yard line. That gave Bethel great momentum, as they not only forced St. Thomas into a three-and-out in the next possession, but they also scored another touchdown on their next drive. Erik Peterson and Jay Hilbrands capped a 16-play, 70-yard drive that spanned 5:39 with a 15-yard pass and catch in the end zone on 3rd-and-goal from the 15-yard line.
 
St. Thomas was unable to score before the half ended, but they quickly changed the game with a 90-yard return on the opening kickoff of the second half. A reverse at Bethel's 13-yard line created a wall for Jack Gilliland to go the distance, cutting BU's lead to 14-7. The Royals fumbled on the ensuing kickoff, which led to another UST score, and before anyone could return to their seats from halftime it was 14-14.
 
The Tommies took the lead with 5:01 left in the third quarter when Jack Kaiser scored from six yards out, which put Bethel down by a touchdown for the first time this year. The Royals persevered though, as Erik Peterson completed a 27-yard pass to Brandon Marquardt with 6:38 to cut the St. Thomas margin. A failed two-point conversion kept BU trailing, but Bethel would eventually get the ball back after stopping the Tommies with 2:53 left in the game.

The Royals marched down the field in the final three minutes with numerous big plays. Included in the drive was a 24-yard completion from Peterson to Jared Schultz, two passes to Mitch Hallstrom for eight yards, and a pass interference penalty on UST at the Tommie two-yard line. With just 0:40 remaining in the contest Marshall Klitzke put Bethel ahead for good with a two-yard dive. Peterson found Jesse Phenow in the flats for a successful two-point conversion, which ended the days scoring.

 

The Royals recorded 352 yards of offense against a St. Thomas defense that allowed 214 yards per game coming into Saturday. Erik Peterson completed 20-of-29 passes for 262 yards, while Bethel's backs finished with 90 yards rushing. Six different receivers caught a pass for BU, with Mitch Hallstrom receiving nine passes for 96 yards and Jay Hilbrands catching five passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.
 
Bethel's defense held Tommie quarterback Alex Fenske to just 155 yards on 15-of-28 passing. Altogether, the Royals allowed 352 yards—the same about they themselves finished with. Jake Kaiser carried the ball 32 times for 140 yards and a touchdown.

Senior linebacker Seth Mathis paced a stingy BU defense—finishing with 16 tackles, which included seven solo and one for a loss, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble and recovery. J.D. Mehlhorn ended Saturday's contest with 13 tackles and two pass breakups, while Ben Wahlquist and David Morgan each forced a Tommie turnover. Bethel has forced 13 turnovers in the past three competitions.
 


The No. 5-ranked Royals put their undefeated record to the test again next weekend, as they face a tough Gustavus team that is 4-2 (2-2 MIAC) on the year. Kickoff at Royal Stadium is set for 1 p.m.