ST. PAUL—The Bethel University football team entered Saturday's MIAC showdown versus St. Thomas with a two-game win streak against the hosting Tommies (7-0, 5-0 MIAC), but the Royals (4-3, 3-2 MIAC) recent success against UST was snapped, as St. Thomas handed BU a 45-14 setback at O'Shaughnessy Stadium.
 
Bethel was held to just 153 yards of total offense, while the Tommies amassed 445 yards on their home turf. Despite the lopsided difference, the Royals managed to rush for 152 yards, which was nearly 100 yards more than the average yards allowed by St. Thomas's defense this season. BU also put up 14 points after UST's defense came into the game allowing just 6.8 points per game.
 
The Royals got off to an explosive start, as Charles Johnson nearly took the opening kickoff to the house. Although Johnson was tripped up at the Bethel 45-yard-line, Bridgeport Tusler took the second carry of the game inside the St. Thomas 10. Quarterback Trey Anderson then rushed into the end zone on the very next play to give the Royals a 7-0 advantage after the first two minutes of play.
 
 
UST scored 21 straight over the next quarter and a half before the Royals managed to cut the deficit with 7:12 remaining in the second frame. The Tommies failed an onside kick attempt, which handed Bethel the ball at the St. Thomas 42-yard-line. Three carries by Bridgeport Tusler for 13 yards and a 29-yard rush to the end zone by Trey Anderson saw Bethel down by just seven.
 
The Royals threatened to even the score at 21-21 before the half ended, but despite having a 2nd-and-2 opportunity at the Tommie 18-yard-line BU was unable to advance the ball any further on the drive. Tusler was stopped three times at the line of scrimmage, which gave St. Thomas the ball back with 28 seconds remaining in the quarter.
 
Bethel's final drive of the first half was indicative of what was to come in the third and fourth quarter, as the Tommies not only held the Royals scoreless throughout the remainder of the game but under 35 yards in the final 30 minutes.
 
Bridgeport Tusler finished the game with 127 yards on 22 carries, while Trey Anderson rushed for 35 yards on 12 carries. Altogether, the Royals rushed for 3.9 yards per carry, which was nearly two yards better than the average yards allowed by the Tommie defense coming into today.
 
Nathan Hultgren led BU's defense throughout the day with 11 total tackles, including one sack for a five-yard-loss. In addition to Hultgren, fellow defensive lineman Godfrey Mpetey wrapped up Bethel's only other sack on the day, which was a nine-yard loss late in the first half. Ryan Kopca and Landon Mathis each finished with 10 tackles, while Daniel Leidall and Josh Dalki accumulated nine.
 
Bethel returns to the gridiron next Saturday when they host Gustavus Adolphus College in another MIAC showcase. Kickoff between the Royals and the Gusties is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Royal Stadium.