Video HighlightsARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University remained undefeated in conference play and made it 12 straight wins over an MIAC opponent with a 27-17 victory over No. 22-ranked Concordia College Saturday. The Royals were fed throughout the entire game by a stadium filled with a sea of blue and a student section that was armed with brooms. BU also utilized a perfect fall day in October to out-duel the Cobbers in front of their homecoming crowd. The win was Bethel's 14th in the last 17 homecoming matchups and sixth straight against Concordia.
Bethel defense played a pivotal part in Saturday's victory, as the Royals held a ranked Concordia offense that was averaging 250 yards rushing per game to just 91 yards on the ground. Additionally, the Cobbers mustered just 249 total yards, despite averaging 475.8 yards per game in the first four games of the season.
Coming up big defensively for the Royals was
Landon Mathis, who recorded 13 tackles on the day and one quarterback hurry.
Daniel Leidall and
Kevin Flaherty each had a significant impact as well, finishing the contest with eight tackles each. Leidall also added a broken up pass and Flaherty had one tackle for loss.
Bethel's cornerbacks
Matt Mehlhorn and
Josh Treimer continued their success this season, as Mehlhorn had a forced fumble and a breakup today and Treimer logged his second interception in as many weeks.
Brandon Marquardt also pulled off a feat for the second time in as many weeks, which was a second kick return for a touchdown. In the Cobber's second kick of the game, Marquardt went 96 yards for six to put the Royals ahead 13-7. Marquardt is now averaging 55 yards per kick return in four chances.
Before Marquardt's run back and the Cobber's first touchdown, the Royals were able to capitalize on a five-play, 87-yard drive that resulted in a 23-yard touchdown from quarterback
Erik Peterson to
Drew Neuville. Neuville's back shoulder catch was set up by a 40-yard completion to
Bridgeport Tusler and a 25-yard carry by
Brandon Marquardt.
The Royals later went ahead 20-7 before the half on a two-yard dive by
Marshall Klitzke. Klitzke's score completed a 10-play, 55-yard scoring drive that needed the help of an 8-yard carry by Marquardt again on a 4th-and-3 from the Cobber 18.
Concordia was never out of it, despite the 13-point deficit at the midway mark. The Cobbers finished the game with a 10-minute advantage in the time of possession category. Concordia blocked a Bethel punt late in the third quarter and quarterback Griffin Neal needed one play to carry the ball in for an 8-yard touchdown.
The Cobbers were then driving early in the fourth quarter in search of the go-ahead touchdown, but the Royals defense stood strong on a 3rd-and-9 from the Bethel 18-yard line, which forced Concordia into a 35-yard field goal after a 15-play, 61-yard drive. The field goal proved to be the last time the Cobbs would score, as the Royals forced the Concordia to punt on their next drive and an 8-yard touchdown for
Bridgeport Tusler on the following drive iced the 27-17 final in favor of BU.
Bethel finished the game with 262 yards of offense, including 94 yards on the ground and 168 through the air.
Erik Peterson led the aerial attack by going 11-of-17 with no interceptions and one touchdown.
Bryce Marquardt caught four passes for 43 yards and
Drew Neuville was the lone recipient of the
Erik Peterson touchdown.
Brandon Marquardt ended the conference tilt with 69 yards on the ground, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Marshall Klitzke and
Bridgeport Tusler each finished with a rushing touchdown.
With the win, Bethel improves to 3-1 on the season and 3-0 in conference play. The Royals will look to make it 13 consecutive wins in loop play next weekend when they travel to Hamline to take on the Pipers. Kickoff is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
