Video HighlightsST. PETER, Minn.—The Bethel University football team utilized 23 consecutive points in the second half of Saturday's matinee against Gustavus Adolphus College to defeat the Golden Gusties at Hollingsworth Field and remain unbeaten in MIAC play. With the win—Bethel's 15th straight against an MIAC opponent—the Royals will face Saint John's University in Collegeville next weekend for a chance to be crowned MIAC Champions for the second year in a row.
Gustavus took an early 13-7 lead heading into the 15-minute intermission. The deficit for the Royals was the first time since October 13, 2012 that Bethel had trailed going into the final 30 minutes of play. BU rallied, though, by scoring 23 points on three touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions to go ahead 30-16 with 1:57 to play. The Gusties narrowed the margin to seven points with 24 seconds remaining, but failed to recover the onside kick.
After Bethel's defense stopped GAC on downs and then forced them to punt in their second drive,
Bridgeport Tusler scored on Bethel's second possession of the game by taking a 3rd-and-8 carry from the GAC 24-yard-line to the house after a few acrobatics. Gustavus then scored the equalizer with 10:33 remaining in the half and the go-ahead TD on their next possession, making it 13-7 at the half.
The Gusties added to their lead seven minutes into the third quarter with a 26-yard field goal, but the Royals quickly struck back with a 58-yard touchdown completion from
Erik Peterson to
Charles Johnson on a slant route that found the end zone.
Still trailing 14-16, Bethel was able to compose a six-play, 84-yard drive that resulted in a
Marshall Klitzke touchdown and a two-point conversion to
Jackson Canfield, which made the score 22-16. The TD was set up by a 49-yard reception by
Bryce Marquardt on 3rd-and-8 from Bethel's 18-yard-line.
After stopping the Gusties on their ensuing possession, the Royals then composed another critical game-winning drive in the fourth quarter that lasted 14 plays and 61 yards, resulting in a
Brandon Marquardt touchdown from eight yards out. The drive didn't come without a little drama, as Bethel fumbled on 4th-and-2 from the GAC 27, but managed to recover and pick up the first down.
Erik Peterson helped the Royals go ahead by 14 with a run into the end zone, completing the second two-point conversion.
Bethel's trio of running backs continued to put up extraordinary numbers, with incredible consistency.
Brandon Marquardt led BU's backfield with 87 yards on 13 carries, while
Marshall Klitzke finished with 75 yards on 14 carries, and
Bridgeport Tusler recorded 73 yards on 13 carries. All three carried the ball into the end zone one time Saturday.
Erik Peterson went 8-for-19 with 129 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Bryce Marquardt caught three passes for 65 yards, while Johnson's much-needed 58-yard grab for a touchdown finished second on the team in receiving yards.
Bethel's defense had an exceptional day considering that the Gustie offense was one of the best in the country and that several guys went down due to injury. The Royals held Gustavus to just 204 yards passing, which 176 yards below their average on the season. Additionally, the Royals held the GAC offense to 319 yards, which was 200 yards below their season average.
Zach Eenhuis came into the game because of an injury and performed well—wrapping up nine tackles, including two for loss.
Ben Wahlquist and
Matt Mehlhorn each had eight tackles and Mehlhorn added two pass breakups as well.
Josh Treimer tallied four passes defended against the dangerous Gustie receiving corps.
The Royals travel to Collegeville, Minn., next Saturday to face Saint John's University in what will be now be the most anticipated game of the season. The Johnnies, who have one loss in conference play, could still capture the AQ to the 2014 NCAA Playoffs with a win over Bethel. BU, meanwhile, could be crowned outright MIAC Champions for the second consecutive season with a victory over SJU.
