MOORHEAD, Minn.—Bethel University's six-game winning streak against Concordia College came to an end Saturday, as the No. 20-ranked Royals fell just short of the Cobbers 21-23. BU trailed 7-16 at the half and despite scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter, Concordia outlasted Bethel down the stretch.
 
Prior to today's game Bethel had forced the Cobbers into 22 turnovers, opposed to their one since 2009. Much like the past six years, turnovers played a huge factor in the conference loss, but this year it was the Royals who were on the lopsided end—fumbling three times.
 
BU's first turnover was midway through the first quarter at the Concordia 8-yard-line, just after Bethel had forced the Cobbers to fumble a punt return at the 13-yard line. Their second came at their own 25-yard line, which allowed Concordia to gain a nine-point advantage at the half. The Royals forced the Cobbers to fumble five times, but recovered just two of the five.
 
Bethel controlled the ball just under 23 minutes, opposed to Concordia, who possessed the rock 37 minutes. The Cobbers out-gained BU 372-275 throughout the day, including a rare 270-117 on the ground.
 
 
Trey Anderson scored the team's first touchdown midway through the second quarter, carrying the ball in from the one-yard-line. Anderson later connected with former quarterback-now-receiver Joey Lee with 8:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, capping off a 10-play, 87-yard drive that lasted 2:47. Anderson kept the third and final BU touchdown on the ground himself, scoring again from one-yard out. The Royals attempted an onside kick with 50 seconds remaining in the game, but the Cobbers were able to recover the kick.
 
Anderson finished the day 12-of-22 through the air for 158 yards and one TD. He's yet to throw an interception in his young career, but today he suffered four sacks throughout the game.
 
Marshall Klitzke rushed 17 times for 82 yards, while Anderson carried the ball 16 times for 46 yards, but four sacks brought his rushing total down to 14 net yards.
 
Joey Lee caught two passes for 49 yards and one touchdown, while Jackson Canfield caught four passes for 46 yards. Drew Neuville and Gunnar Bloom each hauled in a pair of passes as well.
 
Jesse Moeckly and Landon Mathis led the Royals defensively, as both finished the game with 14 tackles. Included in Moeckly's 14 tackles were 2.5 tackles for loss, counting 1.5 sacks. Mathis also wrapped up 0.5 tackles for loss. Nathan Hultgren finished with seven tackles, including a half-sack, in addition to a blocked field goal attempt with 10:52 left in the fourth quarter.
 
Brady Bomsta had an electric performance today on the kickoff return, as the freshman tailback returned three kicks for 123 yards, including his 73-yard return in the opening quarter.
 
The Royals now drop to 3-2 on the season with a 2-1 record against MIAC opponents. St. Thomas and Gustavus remain the only two teams with an unbeaten record in conference play.